Register as a Creative Kids provider

Introduction

The NSW Government is supporting kids to get creative with the Creative Kids program.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher for each student in their care aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school. The voucher is valued at $50.

If you are already registered as a Creative Kids provider, you do not have to re-register to accept the new $50 vouchers from 1 July 2023.

The voucher can be used for registration, participation and tuition costs for performing arts, visual arts, coding, languages, literary and other eligible creative and cultural activities during the calendar year it was issued.

If you’re already an Active Kids provider you can register as a Creative Kids provider using your existing Service NSW business profile.

Otherwise, create a business profile and register as a Creative Kids provider.

Note: From 1 July 2023, applications for $50 Creative Kids vouchers are available only to recipients who have not redeemed a $100 voucher between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023.

Eligibility

Eligible providers

To be a provider with Creative Kids, your organisation must deliver a structured program within the eligible activity list and be an approved provider registered with the Creative Kids program prior to participating in the program and accepting vouchers.

Eligible organisations include: 

  • art galleries
  • art classes or workshops
  • conservatoriums
  • music and drama groups
  • theatre companies
  • language schools
  • Aboriginal cultural knowledge centres or language programs
  • arts and cultural workers and private businesses offering programs in the creative and cultural space
  • organisations and businesses working in the creative industries
  • for-profit or not-for-profit activity providers located in NSW.

NSW public, private and Catholic schools are ineligible providers.

Eligible programs

An eligible program is a structured, focused program with clear creative skill development outcomes, delivered in real-time (live). The primary purpose is for children or young people to learn or participate in interactive creative or cultural activities. The program must demonstrate value for money and be relevant to the age and skill level of participants.

The following are eligible programs:

  • in-person programs that involve learning and developing a specific creative skill (private or group-based)
    • creative materials are permitted for in-person programs if the items are being borrowed or used during the lesson for the purpose of developing a final artwork to take home (e.g. canvas)
    • only the final artwork can be taken home, not the creative materials that were used/borrowed to make the artwork
    • art kits and/or unused creative materials are not permitted for inclusion in any programs
  • online programs that involve learning and developing a specific creative skill (private or group-based). Online programs must:
    • be delivered in real-time and be interactive
    • have no more than 20 participants per lesson
    • be delivered by an individual or business based in NSW (online programs cannot be delivered from outside NSW, including interstate border towns)
    • not include creative materials or art kits as an inclusion.
  • cultural and creative learning experience programs that provide skills and knowledge of cultural identity, for example, Aboriginal cultural learning workshops
  • membership fee-based programs that include a structured creative arts program
  • performance/exhibition-based programs that are delivered live (in real-time) either in-person or online must be followed by:
    • an interactive workshop, or
    • a masterclass or question time, relating to skills and artform development.
  • programs that support or link to the school curriculum, and co-curricular/extra-curricular activities.

Note: Vouchers cannot be redeemed for creative items, art kits, and creative kits. This includes but is not limited to paints, books, stationery, canvases, clothing, uniforms, leotards, instruments or other equipment.

Providers must apply and be approved by Service NSW to be registered with Creative Kids. If your program doesn't fall within the above program types, contact Create NSW for advice.

Ineligible activities are:

  • all programs that include the supply of any creative materials or art/craft kits (including those accompanied by written instructions or live lessons)

  • online activities that have no live and interactive component (such as pre-recorded tutorials)

  • online lessons that host more than 20 participants per online lesson

  • after-school care services with no structured creative arts program

  • membership fees that do not include a structured creative arts program

  • school run competitions, concerts, drama programs, including weekend activities or interschool competitions or activities.

Ineligible activity categories are:

  • cookery classes
  • games and gaming (board games, chess, digital games)
  • gardening
  • gymnastics
  • aerobic dance
  • martial arts
  • pole dancing
  • physical culture
  • yoga.

Note: Ineligible activities will be regularly reviewed.

Ineligible costs are:

  • creative materials, art/creative kits, including but not limited to paints, books, stationery, canvases, clothing, uniforms, leotards, instruments or other equipment – creative materials are permitted for in-person programs if the materials are being borrowed or used during the class for the purpose of developing a final artwork to take home, such as canvas painting 
  • examination fees for qualifications and assessment
  • travel costs to and from activities.

Provider qualification requirements

Providers must hold appropriate skills, experience, or qualifications for the activities provided, including appropriate accreditation for high-risk activities, for example, circus activities. Evidence of qualifications can be requested at any time by the agency.

Providers with one to 5 employees must provide an overview of the qualifications and experience that their staff hold to teach the chosen activities. Providers will be required to demonstrate relevant industry experience, or experience in creative education or teaching fields. Documents to support your application may include:

  • a degree, tertiary qualification or training in a relevant field, such as fine arts, drama or music, or
  • awards, accreditation or industry recognition in a relevant field, or
  • up to 3 professional references or letters of support, or
  • for cultural experiences, evidence of being a cultural elder or provider within that culture recognised by their community as having the appropriate cultural knowledge to pass on.

You can register your interest at creativekids@create.nsw.gov.au to participate in the program and provide details of your program for assessment, if you do not meet the requirements above but provide an eligible activity that is:

  • in rural or remote NSW
  • for children with disabilities, or
  • an Aboriginal cultural activity or program led by a recognised Aboriginal person or elder in your community. 

Service NSW and Create NSW reserve the right to contact you during the application process to discuss the application and may need to refer to other government agencies to complete the assessment. We will assess all requests and our decision is final around eligibility.

What you need

  • a MyServiceNSW Account
  • personal identity document, such as Australian driver licence
  • your organisation’s Australian Business Number (ABN)
    Important: Your identity document name details must match the name details held with the Australian Business Register for your ABN
  • a child safe policy or a completed Child Safe eLearning module provided by Office of the Children's Guardian
  • Working with Children Check (WWCC) details:
    • for business of 1 to 5 employees – each employee's WWCC number, date of birth, and PDF of resumé/qualifications
    • for business of 6 or more employees – your business registration number that starts with REG followed by 7 digits.
  • a PDF copy of your Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance or policies issued by your insurer to the type and level of activities being delivered (minimum cover $10 million)
  • if you provide high-risk activities, the minimum cover for public liability insurance is $20 million. Examples of high-risk activities are:
    • water-based
    • physical contact
    • those requiring specialised safety equipment
    • dangerous or extreme, such as circus.
  • a short description that explains your program offering
  • a PDF copy of your program structure that describes eligible activities, what is offered and what the learning outcomes are
  • a PDF copy of associated fees for the eligible activities plus a separate short description to explain this
  • details of providers' qualifications and experience, with supporting documents such as::
    • a degree, tertiary qualification or training in a relevant field, such as fine arts, drama or music, or
    • awards, accreditation or industry recognition in a relevant field, or
    • up to 3 professional references or letters of support, or
    • for cultural experiences, evidence of being a cultural elder or provider within that culture recognised by their community as having the appropriate cultural knowledge to pass on.
  • other program details including:
    • creative area or activity type
    • location where activities are offered
    • website details
    • dates and times.
  • business bank account details for the account that will take reimbursements.

When you register, you'll need to create a Service NSW business profile. You must be authorised to act on behalf of the organisation and be one of the following:

  • Associate (partner, director, sole trader, public officer, etc) as listed on the Australian Business Register (ABR).
  • Officeholder (director, secretary) as registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
  • Other person with authority of any of the above to carry out functions on behalf of a business/entity.

How to register

The business profile you need as a Creative Kids provider is attached to your MyServiceNSW account. It is separate from the business profile you may have set up if you have applied for grants or rebates through Service NSW.

To create a business profile and register as a Creative Kids provider:

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.
  2. Select the 'Register now' button.
  3. Log in, or create a MyServiceNSW Account.
  4. Follow the prompts to create a business profile. To do this, enter the details from your personal identity document and business details.
  5. Complete the Creative Kids provider application with evidence outlined in What you need.
  6. Submit your application for approval.

Use an existing business profile to register as a Creative Kids provider:

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.
  2. Log into your MyServiceNSW Account.
  3. From the Active/Creative kids providers menu, select your business profile under "Choose a dashboard".
  4. Click on the Creative Kids tile from your business profile dashboard to start the application.
  5. Complete the Creative Kids provider application with evidence outlined in What you need.
  6. Submit your application for approval.

We will assess your application and keep you informed by email. We will contact you if additional information is required.

You will be notified of the result within 28 days of your submission.

Note: If your business offers activities in multiple categories you'll need to register under one program initially then add other programs after you've been approved as a provider. For example, if you offer dance and theatre programs, you would register the dance program and then add theatre once you've been set up as a provider.

More information

  • Vouchers can only be accepted by registered providers.
  • Providers must collect the following details to be able to redeem a voucher:
    • child’s date of birth
    • voucher number.
  • Providers must not increase prices above a reasonable level or start charging for programs that previously had no fees.
  • Reimbursement to providers should occur within 10 days of the redemption of vouchers, through the provider’s MyServiceNSW Account.
  • Providers do not automatically receive the total amount for each voucher if the activity costs less and will be reimbursed the actual value of the activity up to:
    • $100 for vouchers issued before 30 June 2023 (these vouchers cannot be redeemed after 30 June 2023)
    • $50 for vouchers issued from 1 July 2023.
  • No retrospective reimbursement of fees will be paid.
  • Providers can allow for part or deferred payment at registration.
  • Provider payment conditions and policies are up to each provider.

Activity categories

Visual arts

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

Creative industries

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

Literary and linguistics arts

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

Performing arts

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

Cultural programs

Structured learning activities with a focus on strengthening Aboriginal and culturally diverse community practices, for example, the Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge Program or Cultural Experience (Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities).

Documents

Links

Last updated: 21 September 2023