KidSport vouchers doubled to ease cost of living for families

• $300 KidSport vouchers - up from $150 - available per eligible child for next two years
• KidSport vouchers can now be put towards club fees, equipment and uniforms, making sport more accessible and affordable
• Cook Government delivering further cost-of-living support for families and encouraging kids' participation in sport

The Cook Government is making sport accessible to more Western Australian children, and further relieving cost-of-living pressures on families, by doubling the amount of financial assistance available per child through the popular KidSport voucher program.

Families struggling to cover the cost of registering their children in community sport can now apply for up to $300 in KidSport vouchers per child, each financial year, over the next two years - double the previous amount.

Other enhancements to the State Government's KidSport program include:

• allowing vouchers to be used towards essential playing equipment and uniforms; and
• financial assistance for children in care or who are asylum seekers or refugees.

The changes follow an expansion of the State Government's Community Sporting and Recreation Fund, which was increased by $15 million in April to boost local communities' access to sustainable and quality sporting facilities.

KidSport is open to eligible 5-18 year olds. For more information visit the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/kidsport   

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"My Government is committed to providing genuine cost-of-living relief to Western Australian families.

"We also want all children to have opportunities to stay active, connect with others in their communities, and benefit from those invaluable lessons sport teaches us about teamwork and resilience.

"That's why we are doubling the value of KidSport vouchers - to enable families who may be struggling, to apply for up to $300 per eligible child, to help cover the costs of participating in sport."

Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:

"Sport plays a huge role in keeping children mentally and physically active, and helping them connect with their community. It should be part of every child's life regardless of their financial circumstances.

"By doubling the amount of the Kidsport vouchers over the next two years, we are helping all Western Australian children participate in their favourite sport.