Home

Families to be given $250 vouchers in NSW as part of government’s economic recovery plan

Erin LyonsNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Regional Media

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has outlined the state’s economic recovery plan and it features a small win for parents.

As part of a $2.8 billion ‘Economic Recovery Strategy’ revealed by the Premier on Thursday, families with school children will be given $250 vouchers.

The cash can be used on accommodation or the ‘discover’ aspect of the government’s existing ‘Dine and Discover’ program.

Mr Perrottet said the vouchers served as a “thank you” to parents who had to homeschool their children during the pandemic.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“In many senses, this is a ‘thank you’ that will go some small way towards helping family finances that took a big hit,” he said.

“We know it has been an incredibly difficult time of juggling kids, work and family life but we all owe you a great deal of gratitude.”

PREMIER PRESSER
Camera IconDominic Perrottet said families with school children can get a $250 voucher. NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia

The vouchers will be available through Service NSW in early 2022 and only to households who had school-aged children during 2021.

Mr Perrottet said the additional vouchers can be used until October next year and it will be one per household.

Earlier in the week it was revealed NSW residents would be given a $50 voucher to spend on accommodation as the government tries to get the state’s embattled tourism industry back on track.

Mr Perrottet said the ‘Stay and Rediscover’ vouchers would work like the Dine and Discover scheme, except that the vouchers can only be spent on accommodation including hotels, caravan parks and camping grounds.

“We’ve got some of the best tourism opportunities, the best hotels in the world, and you want people to go out support those businesses that have been doing it tough,” he said.

The move was part of a major tourism recovery package worth more than $500 million.

The program is being piloted and will kick-in statewide in March and all adults are eligible for the voucher.

Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and the regions can recommence on November 1.

It follows an announcement made last week when Mr Perrottet said adults in NSW would also get two more $25 Dine and Discover vouchers in time for the summer holidays.

Originally published as Families to be given $250 vouchers in NSW as part of government’s economic recovery plan

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails