More information about NSW $500 OSHC voucher scheme provided

The New South Wales Government has provided further information, advice and support for the outside school hours care (OSHC) sector following last week’s announcement that all NSW families with a child enrolled in a before and after school care (BASC) service would receive a $500 voucher per child to support the cost of accessing BASC services.

Vouchers that providers accept will be validated and reimbursed directly to services by the NSW Government. The voucher is to be used to cover the cost of the parent gap fee under the Child Care Subsidy. Provider registration for the scheme opens 9 February 2022, via Service NSW.

Providers will need to create a MyServiceNSW Business Profile where they will be able to register for the program.

Parents are expected to begin approaching services from 28 February to redeem their vouchers, so services must register before this date. After a service has submitted its application for registration, contact will be made to advise of approval and the steps to follow to prepare for the program.

Families will only be able to redeem their voucher at a service if the service has registered with Service NSW, and has received approval to participate in the BASC Voucher program.

Families can claim the voucher from Service NSW between 28 February and 30 September 2022, and must redeem the voucher at a participating before and after school care service by 31 December 2022.

BASC compliance reporting

As part of the BASC Voucher program, the Commonwealth and NSW governments require reporting on all the BASC vouchers redeemed, funds expended, and session details.

Following registration approval, providers will receive the BASC Voucher Compliance reporting tool by email. The tool is a spreadsheet that will require updating, and uploading at the end of each school term.

Instructions on how to use the tool will be sent to all approved providers, including a how-to guide.

When will BASC providers get paid?

Service NSW will automatically process payments to approved BASC providers within 14 business days of the voucher redemption process. Payments will be made to the bank account details nominated by the Before and After School Care provider.

Services who require additional support or information are encouraged to reach out to the BASC team at bascreform@det.nsw.edu.au or on 1300 244 145.