Page title

Version: October 2025

Definitions

Asylum seeker

Means a person living in Western Australia who is seeking asylum and has applied, or is appealing the outcome of an application, for a protection visa.

Customer Reference Number (CRN)

A unique identifier that can be found on a Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

CITS

The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.

Essential equipment

Items required for a child to participate in their nominated KidSport approved sport. These items are integral to the sport such that, if not provided, participation would be prevented.

Essential uniform

Regulation clothing required to be worn by a child during participation in a KidSport approved sport. These items must be integral to the sport such that, if not provided, participation would be prevented.

KidSport club

An organisation that is listed as approved and can be found through the find a KidSport approved club search portal.

KidSport voucher code

A 6 digit alphanumeric code specific to the approved child’s KidSport application.

Refugee

For the purpose of the KidSport Voucher Program,refugee refers to a person living in Western Australia who has been awarded refugee status and holds a valid refugee or humanitarian visa.

Sport

A human activity involving physical exertion and skill as the primary focus of the activity, with elements of competition where rules and patterns of behaviour governing the activity exist formally through organisations and is generally recognised as a sport.

1.0 Overview

1.1 Background

The KidSport Voucher Program is an initiative of the WA Government to support children aged 5 to 18 years of age (inclusive) from low-income families and at-risk groups to participate in community sport and approved activities. The KidSport Voucher Program subsidises participation costs by providing $300 per financial year to each eligible child to join a KidSport club.

The KidSport Voucher Program is administered by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) with the support of WA Local Government Authorities (LGAs).

1.2 Primary objective

CITS strongly advocates involvement in community sport, not only for its physical benefits, but also the positive impact it has on the mental and emotional wellbeing of the community.

The primary objective of the KidSport Voucher Program is to reduce the financial barrier of participation in community sport for low-income families.

2.0 Voucher applicants

KidSport Voucher Program funding can only be accessed via approved KidSport vouchers. Vouchers should be applied for and obtained prior to registration at KidSport clubs(being the only organisations where the vouchers are accepted).

2.1 Applicant’s responsibilities

The parent or guardian of a child is required to complete the application for a KidSport voucher on the child’s behalf. A representative of the child may assist with the KidSport Voucher Program application process, with the full consent of the parent or guardian.

Applications will be assessed by the applicant’s LGA of residence or by CITS to confirm the child’s eligibility and funding available within the voucher round.

Applicants will be required to submit proof of child eligibility at the time of application.

To apply for a KidSport voucher, an applicant is required to:

• confirm the child’s eligibility
• complete an application form for and on behalf of the child
• acknowledge and accept the KidSport Voucher Program Terms and Conditions.

If approved, the child’s KidSport voucher code will be supplied to the KidSport club upon registration.

2.2 Eligibility

To be eligible for a KidSport voucher the child must be:

• aged 5 to 18 years inclusive at the time of application; and
• residing in Western Australia; and
• named on a parent or guardian’s valid Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, with the child’s unique Customer Reference Number (CRN) visible; or
• named on their own valid Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, with their own unique Customer Reference Number (CRN) listed on the card.

Where a child does not meet the above criteria, the family may be eligible to access KidSport through a Special Consideration application as outlined in clause 5.0.

2.3 KidSport vouchers

Eligible children may access up to $300 through a KidSport voucher per financial year.

KidSport vouchers can be used as payment towards registration, membership, or participation fees at a KidSport club. Where the nominated KidSport club has opted in, vouchers may also be used for essential uniform and equipment costs as outlined in clause 3.3.1

KidSport vouchers are subject to the following conditions:

• Vouchers are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, extensions are at the discretion of CITS.
• Vouchers can only be redeemed at a KidSport club.
• Refunds or reimbursements will not be paid by CITS to any parent, guardian, or child.
• Funds are not rolled over from a previous funding year.
• KidSport vouchers are non-transferable. Funding may only be used for the child named on the approved voucher.
• Eligible children are only able to access up to $300 per child, per financial year.
• If it is found through auditing processes that a voucher has been incorrectly applied for by a parent or guardian, or through an incorrect club claiming process, an approved voucher may be cancelled at any time by CITS.

KidSport funding may be used to cover the costs of essential uniforms and equipment, where:

• the KidSport club named on the voucher has opted-in to accept vouchers for these items
• items are purchased directly from the KidSport club named on the voucher.

2.4 Refunds

In no circumstance can the KidSport club provide a monetary refund of a KidSport voucher to the child, parent or guardian. Funds should only be exchanged between CITS and the KidSport club.

KidSport voucher refunds for fees may only be considered for extenuating circumstances in accordance with the Refund guidelines

3.0 KidSport clubs

3.1 Eligible organisations

CITS has the authority to determine whether a club or organisation is eligible and meets the below mandatory criteria to participate in the KidSport Voucher Program.

All KidSport clubs must:

• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) operating in Western Australia
• comply with all obligations under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004 (WA)
• charge a fee/registration for the activity provided
• maintain appropriate and sufficient insurance cover for the type and level of activity being delivered.^[1]

In addition, KidSport clubs, and each approved activity, must meet the criteria outlined in the relative category for their organisation, as follows:

3.2 Ineligible organisations and activities

The following are not approved organisations or activities, and are excluded from the KidSport Voucher program:

• organisations delivering multi-sport programs
• organisations offering gym classes, fitness classes, gym memberships
• activities or programs that are a part of the school curriculum
• interschool sport competitions
• school holiday programs, with the exception of swimming lessons
• sporting camp programs
• representative, state, national or international competitions
• State sporting associations, unless there is demonstrated evidence that there are no junior community clubs catering for children aged 5 to 18 years old
• federal or state government agencies
• organisations that receive participation or program funding from any source, where the funding contributes to subsidising fees
• lessons or ‘learn to’ type activities that are not a prerequisite for organisation membership, with the exception of swimming lessons.

Any exceptions will be at the discretion of CITS.

3.3 KidSport club responsibilities

All KidSport clubs are responsible for the following:

• registration of an online account via the KidSport club portal
• nomination of a single primary contact for the KidSport club who will access the KidSport club portal with an individual log in account
• administration of KidSport in accordance with the KidSport club how to guide
• maintenance of up-to-date information within the KidSport club portal as requested by CITS, including but not limited to registration, essential uniform and equipment fees annually. If this does not occur the club may be placed on hold from receiving KidSport funding.
• ensure each activity listed to receive KidSport funding meets the eligibility criteria outlined in clause 3.1
• assurance that goods and services offered are considered ‘value for money’ and that costings are reasonable and fairly priced
• assurance that no differential pricing in membership exists between children redeeming KidSport vouchers, and other participants
• collect KidSport voucher codes at the point of registration from the applicant. Parents with a KidSport voucher should not be expected to pre-pay their registration fees.
• validate KidSport voucher codes through the KidSport club portal
• notify CITS if the organisation no longer meets the eligibility criteria
• notify CITS if a conflict of interest arises
• provide relevant documentation at the request of CITS for audit purposes.

3.3.1 Uniforms and equipment

KidSport clubs may, at their discretion, opt-in to accept KidSport vouchers as a form of payment for essential uniforms and essential equipment. These items must be purchased directly from the KidSport club where the child is participating.

Only one essential uniform or essential equipment item is eligible to be covered under KidSport funding per financial year e.g. one pair of shorts, one pair of socks etc.

KidSport clubs may opt-in through the KidSport club portal and in doing so, agree that vouchers will be accepted for eligible items only.

Eligible items will be determined and funded at the discretion of CITS.

Eligible items include:

• essential uniforms required by the KidSport club to be worn when playing or competing in the sport, such as club-based playing uniform
• essential equipment that is deemed mandatory to own to participate in the sport, such as: tennis/squash racquets, hockey sticks, shin guards or knee pads.

KidSport vouchers cannot be used for:

• non-essential training, uniform or club merchandise items including, but not limited to plain club training shirts, leotards, scarfs, jackets, hoodies or polo shirts
• non-essential sport-related equipment including, but not limited to boots or shoes, bibs, sports bags or other training equipment of any form
• generic or communal uniforms and equipment which are owned by the KidSport club
• Scouts WA or Girl Guides Western Australia uniforms or equipment.

3.3.2 Validating KidSport vouchers

When validating KidSport vouchers:

• The voucher value is nominated on the voucher and is inclusive of GST where applicable.
• Vouchers can only be redeemed by the KidSport club named on the voucher.
• Where the fee payable for the child’s participation at the KidSport club is less than the value of the voucher, the club can reduce the voucher amount down to the correct fee upon claiming. Alternatively, the club must advise CITS and have the voucher corrected prior to claiming.
• If an increase in voucher amount is required, the parent or guardian who submitted the application must contact KidSport prior to the voucher being claimed.
• KidSport clubs must receive the KidSport voucher code directly from the applicant.
• CITS cannot provide any KidSport voucher code to the KidSport club without confirmation from the parent listed on the application.

4. Local Government Authorities

4.1 Local government funding arrangements

CITS delivers the KidSport Voucher Program in partnership with certain LGAs which have entered into contracts with CITS. The contracts outline the relationship and obligations of the parties.

4.2 Responsibilities

LGAs play a critical role in supporting CITS to deliver and promote the KidSport Voucher Program across WA.

The primary responsibilities are:

• adherence to all contracted obligations
• to administer KidSport in accordance with the KidSport Local Government How to Guide
• to notify CITS of any staff changes that impact the administration of the KidSport Voucher Program
• to contact KidSport to arrange new staff to undertake training prior to administering the program
• to keep any supplied login details separate and individual – login details must not be shared in any circumstances
• notify CITS of any conflict of interest that may exist between an approving staff member and any KidSport club or KidSport Voucher Program applicant.

5. KidSport special considerations

Special consideration applications are available to support identified low-income groups that may have difficulty accessing concession cards or independently applying for a KidSport voucher.

This includes families who are experiencing financial hardship and may not have access to a Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

5.1 Eligibility

To be eligible for special consideration, the child or family must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Family experiencing significant financial distress (loss of main income source, death/serious illness of main income earner or other extenuating circumstances).
2. Family impacted by natural disaster (for example fire, flood or cyclone).
3. Child has been placed into the care of extended family or alternate long-term living arrangements (not in care of the State).
4. All children in the care of the State in any care arrangement.
5. Biological children of foster carers.
6. Target 120 program participants.
7. Child or their parent/guardian is an asylum seeker, refugee, or other humanitarian entrant.

The child must also meet the following criteria:

• Be aged 5-18 years inclusive at the time of application
• register with a KidSport club.

Applications must be submitted through or supported by an approved KidSport Support Agent as outlined in clause 5.2.

Final approval of eligibility and issue of a KidSport voucher will be at the discretion of CITS.

Where the child is listed on and has access to an eligible concession card, the applicant should use the usual KidSport Voucher Program application process as outlined in clause 2.1.

5.2 KidSport Support Agents

KidSport Support Agents are professional employees at agencies which provide support services to families and are approved to administer the KidSport Voucher Program at the discretion of CITS.

The primary responsibilities of KidSport Support Agents are as follows:

• Provide a professional and unbiased assessment for a family to receive special consideration for a KidSport voucher, in accordance with the KidSport special consideration eligibility outlined in clause 5.1.
• Submit a voucher application, with appropriate documentation, to provide a recommendation to CITS regarding applicant eligibility for special consideration, in accordance with the KidSport special consideration eligibility outlined in clause 5.1.
• Notify CITS if agency no longer wishes to act as a Support Agent for special consideration applications.

Further information

Contact the KidSport team at CITS for further information or assistance.

Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport
246 Vincent Street, Leederville WA 6007
GPO Box 8349 Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Telephone: 08 9492 9911
Email: kidsport@cits.wa.gov.au
Website: www.cits.wa.gov.au/kidsport

Footnotes

• Level of insurance required will be at the discretion of CITS. Certificate of currency of insurance will be required at time of registration and on annual review. For Public Liability Insurance, a minimum value of $10 million per claim or occurrence giving rise to a claim is required.
• Swim schools may be requested to provide evidence of teacher qualifications and student: teacher ratios.