Want to know what is a Creative Kids Voucher? Well you have come to the right place to find out! Here is an exciting fact: for most children, their creativity is at its peak before the age of six. Sounds interesting, right? But what is even more exciting is that if you keep your children engaged in creative activities, you are actually boosting their imagination and contributing to their overall development. 

So, how do you keep the creative thoughts of your kids flowing? We have the answer.

Here is an excellent opportunity to help your kid cherish their creativity and take part in enjoyable activities. The new Creative Kids Program launched by the NSW Government allows you to apply for a Creative Kids Voucher. 

Each voucher can have a value of up to $100 per calendar year. You can use these vouchers to pay for any of your kid’s registered creative endeavours.

 

The voucher can be used to cover the cost of registration, participation, and tuition costs. Every voucher is valid for the entire calendar year in which it is issued. To apply for the voucher, you should give the relevant details to the respective registered activity provider. 

This creative kids voucher program runs all year around, and you can apply and use them at any time you want. 

This initiative lets you pay the costs for your child’s creative endeavours with the vouchers provided for free from the Australian Government. Make use of this program to present your kids with personalised gifts to grow their creative skills. 

In this article, we will talk about all the fun and creative activities your kid can participate in, and stimulate their senses.

 

Creative Activities Covered

Creative Kids Voucher provides your kids with easy access to a wide range of creative activities like arts, speech, drama, dance, design, coding, music classes and activity programs. 

 

Children’s Age Range And Eligibility 

Although Creative Kids Program is fun, it has its limitations in terms of age and eligibility:

• Your child must be aged between 4.5 to 18 years.
• Your child must be enrolled in school (Kindergarten to Year 12). Home-schooled children enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW are also eligible to apply. 
• Your child must be an NSW resident.
• Your child must currently hold a Medicare card. 

A voucher can be applied for each eligible student. It can be used only with approved Creative Kids Providers. 

 

Costs Covered

The voucher covers all costs related to registration, participation, and tuition costs for the creative activity, workshops, or classes. 

 

Costs Not Covered 

Examination fees, travel costs for the travel to and from the activity places. 

Requirements To Apply 

You will need the following documents to be able to apply for the Creative Kids Voucher. 

• A MyServiceNSW account

If you do not yet have an account, create an account from the government site.

• A valid proof of identity document 

Your identity document must contain your full name, date of birth, and photograph. If you have any name discrepancy in your identity documents, you must also produce evidence of name change with the help of a name certificate issued by the Australian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. 

• Your child’s medicare card details. 

 

What Activities Are Included?

Activity Categories

The types of activities supported by the voucher can be categorised into:

 

Visual arts

Visual arts focus on creative works that are primarily visual and involve aesthetic designing and creative expression through a visual medium. Some activities under this category are:

• Drawing
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Sketching
• Painting
• Printmaking
• Advertising
• Public art
• Screen
• Media arts
• Design
• Multimedia
• Craft
• Other Visual Arts

 

Creative industries

The creative industry refers to professional spaces and careers that rely on creativity as a core part of their success. 

• Architecture
• Coding
• Industrial design
• Game design
• Augmented/virtual reality
• Graphic design
• Fashion design
• Radio
• Robotics

 

Literary and linguistics arts

Literary arts include creative work that involves the use of language either in written or spoken form. Learning new languages, honing oratory skills, creative writing, and more can be categorised into this area. 

• Creative writing
• Languages
• Publishing
• Public speaking
• Debating
• Poetry
• Spoken word
• Slam poetry

 

Performing arts

Performing arts can enhance your child’s kinaesthetic intelligence and involves various movement and music-related art forms. 

• Music
• Drama
• Singing
• Circus arts
• Choreography
• Parkour
• Theatre
• Dance
• Puppetry
• Other Performing Arts

 

Cultural programs

Cultural programs are designed as a way to imbue knowledge and awareness of diverse cultural and community practices. It involves structured learning programs and activities that help children understand the importance of core cultural tenets. For instance, the Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge program or Cultural Experience program allows children to have the first-hand experience with the rich and diverse Aboriginal community culture. 

Activity Eligibility Criteria 

If you want to apply for the Creative Kids Voucher for a Creative Kids activity, it must qualify to be eligible for the voucher usage. Eligible activities are characterised by: 

• A well-structured program. 
• Clear objectives and focus.
• Well defined skills development outcomes. 
• Relevant materials for the age and skill level of the participants.

The activity should be able to promote active participation from the children and help them achieve the desired level of skill development. It should be worthy of the voucher value of money spent on it. An eligible activity can be both private and group-based and includes both online and offline creative workshops and programs. 

Here are some eligible activities that can be paid for using the Creative Kids Voucher. 

 

Learning Or Skill Development Activities 

These activities involve workshops, lessons, performances or events that are designed to develop a particular creative skill. It can be private or group-based and can be an online or offline program. 

For instance, the Kidz Jigz Workshop is an online Workshop program that helps improve the visual art skills of the participating student. It is the best kids personalised gift that consists of custom puzzles for kids. You can customise the puzzle by creating a puzzle based on your photo. Think of your last family vacation by the beach or entertainment park. Wasn’t it fun? It is time to relive those memories by converting one or many of these photos into a personalised puzzle. 

We are sure your kids will have an amazing time designing their own puzzle and creating it. These custom puzzles are made in Australia and will keep them hooked, thus enhancing their visual art skills.

 

Cultural Learning Experiences 

Cultural learning programs that involve lessons, interactions, and workshops aimed at educating the kids about cultural identities and practices. For instance, Aboriginal Cultural learning workshops give the children a chance to experience the aboriginal cultural practices helping them widen their perspectives and knowledge. The learning experiences can be delivered both through online or offline learning arrangements. 

 

Creative Club Memberships 

The voucher can be applied to cover costs for registering and participating with a creative club that involves skill development activities. 

 

Fees For Hiring Instruments And Equipment

The Creative Kids Voucher can also be used to cover costs for acquiring the necessary equipment needed as part of a creative program. For instance, it can be used to buy a musical instrument for the music classes that your child takes up. 

 

Interactive Workshops And Master Classes 

Participation fees and costs that are part of interactive workshops such as visiting art museums, exhibitions, concerts, and so on can also be covered by the Creative Kids Voucher. 

 

School Extracurricular And Co-Curricular Activities 

Activities that are part of your child’s school educational drives and incursions or excursions can also avail the Voucher benefits. 

*Note to remind: NSW Public, Private and Catholic Schools are considered ineligible under this program. But you can use the voucher for other activities mentioned even if your child is enrolled under these types of schools. 

 

Learning Packages

Individual learning packages that provide a clear structure with a lesson plan and instructions can also be considered. For instance, if your child is taking up an internet masterclass or an online learning program through platforms like YouTube, Zoom, and so on, you can use the Vouchers to pay for such programs. But the online providers must be able to demonstrate a well-structured lesson plan and easy means to communicate for lesson support. You can communicate through phone, email, video conferences, or any online messaging platform. 

Ineligible Activities 

While considered artistic by many mainstream masses, the following activities are not eligible for the Creative Kids Voucher program. 

If your child takes classes for any of these activities, you will not be able to use the voucher for getting concessions or covering costs:

• Cookery classes
• Games and gaming (such as board games, chess, digital games)
• Gardening
• Gymnastics
• Aerobic dance
• Martial arts
• Pole dancing
• Physical culture
• Yoga.

Ineligible activity lists are not fixed as they are regularly reviewed. 

In general, ineligible activities are characterised by:

• Lack of well-defined learning structure such as after school care services.
• Creative club membership fees that do not have a proper structured creative arts program.
• Competitions and contests run by school, including weekend activities, school drama, theatre, concerts and inter school competitions. 

 

Things To Remember While Applying  

• Each voucher can only be used once. If the activity you have chosen costs less than $100, you cannot reuse the same voucher for the balance value for any other activity.
• Vouchers can only be used on behalf of the person whose name is named on the voucher. So make sure to provide accurate details with no mistakes when applying for the vouchers. 
• Do check with the activity provider whether they are approved Creative Kids Providers. The Voucher can be used for conversing the registration and membership costs of approved providers only. 
• You cannot redeem Voucher for cash. 
• You cannot split the voucher for use with different providers 
• You must use the vouchers within the year of the issue. Otherwise, they will be deemed invalid. For instance, if you get a voucher by December of 2021, you will have to use it up before Jan 2022. 

 

Steps to Apply for the Creative Kids Voucher

Get Creative Now! Here are a few simple steps that you need to follow to apply for the Creative Kids Voucher.

• Check if you satisfy the eligibility requirements mentioned earlier. 
• Be clear on the types of activities you will be. 
• Visit the NSW government site and click on Apply Online. 
• Create a MyServiceNSW Account if you don’t have one. Login to your account and continue with the application process. 
• You will be prompted for the child’s details and the required identity proof documents. Provide the necessary information and follow the prompts to apply for the voucher.  

 

To Use the Voucher

• Pick the Creative Kids provider and check if they are eligible to redeem the voucher. 
• Provide the voucher details along with the child’s full name and date of birth when you make the payment or register with the provider. The details you must provide are 
• Child’s full name as mentioned in the Voucher 
• Child’s date of birth
• Creative Kids Voucher Number

So, are you ready to take your kids on an all-new adventure? Get the most out of Kidz Jigz by using the free Creative Kids Voucher HERE. Let your kids solve personalised puzzles and boost their senses. Contact us today to learn more.