Businesses that sell eligible school supplies or school uniforms can register to accept Premier's Back to School NSW Vouchers.
Registered businesses can accept and redeem vouchers:
- using the Service NSW for Business app, or
- by integrating their online sales system and/or point-of-sale (POS) system directly with Service NSW via an Application Programming Interface (API).
Registered businesses can accept vouchers now.
Important dates
- On 16 June 2023, business registration closes.
- On 30 June 2023, vouchers expire.
Accepting vouchers
Date vouchers will be available
Registered businesses can accept vouchers now.
Vouchers expire on 30 June 2023.
How to accept the vouchers
Before you start accepting vouchers in store, make sure you have the latest version of the Service NSW for Business app installed. You’ll need to download and install it on each mobile device that will scan vouchers at your business.
To accept vouchers, use the Service NSW for Business app on your connected device to scan the digital or printed QR code. You can also manually enter the unique voucher code.
When vouchers have been successfully redeemed, a transaction ID and barcode will appear on your device screen. You may wish to save the transaction ID to help your business’s internal reconciliation process.
To accept vouchers for online purchases or through your POS system, you can integrate your website and POS system with Service NSW via an API. Service NSW will provide API integration information to businesses accepted into the program.
Voucher rules
Businesses can accept vouchers for the cost of eligible items only.
The vouchers cannot be:
- redeemed for any other products or services
- exchanged for cash, gift voucher or a credit note from the business.
Voucher format
Vouchers will be in the form of a QR code. Each voucher will have a unique code.
Your customers may present a voucher to you:
- on their mobile device as a digital voucher within the Service NSW app
- as a printed voucher with a QR code and unique voucher code
- as a PDF with a QR code and unique voucher code
- as an SMS with a unique code
- by telling you the unique voucher code.
How to check if a voucher is valid
The Service NSW for Business app will only accept vouchers that are valid.
Accepting more than one voucher for the same transaction
Customers can use some or all of their vouchers towards the same purchase.
You can scan and accept multiple vouchers in one transaction using the Service NSW for Business mobile app.
Unused value
If a customer's invoice is less than the voucher amount, the customer does not receive the leftover amount, nor does your business.
For example, if a customer uses a $50 voucher to pay for a $40 eligible item, only $40 can be redeemed against the voucher. The remaining $10 is given up by both your business and the customer.
Voucher alternatives
Businesses cannot offer cash, a gift voucher or a credit note in exchange for a voucher.
Product returns and refunds
If customers would like to return products they’ve purchased with a voucher, you can manage any refunds according to your business’s returns policy.
Receiving payments
When businesses will be paid
There is a one-off validation of your account which may take up to 10 business days.
After that, you'll receive payments into your nominated bank account within 5 business days after redeeming the vouchers.
Tracking payments
The person who registered the business can keep track of voucher payments to your business in their Service NSW Business Profile.
This person will be able to add other email addresses to a group that will receive a weekly list of transactions by email.
GST and tax
Vouchers are included in assessable income and you’ll need to report GST on the total amount of voucher payments you receive.
Promoting your business
Business Finder
The business and voucher finder helps customers locate participating businesses. The business locations you enter when registering as a provider will appear in the finder if you choose that option.
You can choose to hide or unhide your store locations after registering by going to your Business Profile and selecting ‘Manage locations and devices’ under your Back to School NSW tile.
Note: If you need time to get your business ready to accept Premier's Back to School NSW Vouchers once registered, hide your business from the Business and voucher finder. Once you’re set up and ready to accept vouchers, you can unhide your business locations by going to your Business Profile.
Promotional materials
Let customers know you accept Premier's Back to School NSW Vouchers by downloading posters and digital tiles from your Business Profile. You can print these to display in your store or use them on your website.
You can find these promotional materials in your Business Profile once registered, by selecting ‘Promotional tools’ in the Back to School NSW tile.