Overview
Dreaming about your next holiday, New South Wales residents? A staycation in Sydney or a getaway somewhere else throughout the state should now be in your future. Late in 2021, the NSW Government announced that it'd give folks across the state $50 vouchers to use on accommodation — and it has just started rolling out that free holiday money.
Every adult in the state can receive a voucher, which have now been dubbed Stay NSW vouchers, with the NSW Government committing $250 million to the scheme. And, they're being rolled out early, too, slightly ahead of the initial plan to start making them available in March.
Whether you can get your hands on a voucher just yet depends on where you live, however, because they're being released by Local Government Area over a two-week period. If they're not available to you right now — which you can check online — they will be by Thursday, March 3.
Paramount House Hotel by Tom Ross.
Accessed by applying via the Service NSW app, Service NSW website or calling 13 77 88, the vouchers are on offer to everyone over the age of 18 that's a NSW resident, and can be redeemed at more than 1200 accommodation premises throughout the state. That said, they're not eligible to be used via Airbnb, online accommodation booking platforms and travel agents. Also, you can only use your voucher for room bookings — not for other products and services at hotels, such as food, drinks or spa services — but they're valid seven days a week, including public holidays, up until Sunday, October 9.
Also, you can combine your own vouchers with your partner's or friends', to get more cash off your reservation — if the place you're planning to stay at allows it.
And, if you're wondering exactly where you can now enjoy a night away, the Stay NSW program website has a directory of participating accommodation providers.
"The Stay NSW program has been expanded and fast-tracked, so people can enjoy a staycation sooner. Whether it's a quiet country inn, the family-run caravan park or a hotel in the Sydney CBD, every budget needs a boost this year," said Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello in a statement.
The rollout comes almost a year after former Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced something similar in March 2021. Back then, 200,000 vouchers worth $100 each were set to be handed out on a first come, first served basis around June, for use in Sydney's inner city. But then Sydney went into lockdown, followed the rest of the rest of the state.
Now resurrected not just after Sydney's almost four-month-long period of stay-at-home conditions last year, but following the impact of the Omicron wave over the summer, the accommodation voucher program has two obvious aims: enticing folks in NSW to go venturing throughout the state, and helping support local businesses. Victoria and Queensland have also run similar schemes, too, because throwing some love towards the Aussie tourism industry has understandably been a big focus during the pandemic.
The Stay NSW voucher scheme has started rolling out by Local Government Area, with all areas set to have access to vouchers by Thursday, March 3. For further information, head to the Stay NSW program website.