NSW Government to distribute $100 vouchers to get Aussies Out & About
The NSW government will be handing out $100 worth of vouchers to be spent on dining and entertainment in a bid to help the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19.
The Out & About (Dine and Discover) voucher scheme will distribute four $25 vouchers to all NSW residents over the age of 18. Two will be designated for restaurants, cafes and clubs, and two for entertainment venues such as cinemas and art galleries.
Importantly, the program does not allow for spending on retail products, alcohol, gambling or cigarettes.
The four vouchers cannot be combined and each voucher is single-use, meaning it will expire even if the cost of the outing is under $25.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the scheme will help revitalise small businesses across NSW, who have seen activity plummet due to social distancing measures and an erosion of consumer confidence.
“We want to encourage people to open up their wallets and contribute to the stimulus effect,” he said.
“The dining and entertainment industries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic and I would encourage people to use this scheme once it is up and running and to make sure they spend a bit extra on the way through too.”
RELATED: NSW government announces plans to phase out stamp duty
To be eligible for the voucher scheme, businesses must register with Service NSW and be designated COVID-safe.
The vouchers will be made available in early 2021 via the Service NSW mobile app. But a trial of the program is due to commence in the Sydney CBD in December.
The government could also take its cues from similar programs rolled out in the UK, in which use of vouchers is limited to less busy days throughout the week.
Has consumer confidence recovered at all?
The Out & About scheme aims to give small businesses the boost they need to escape the current downturn. But while some segments are still struggling, others are already picking up.
Commonwealth Bank’s latest Household Spending Intentions (HSI) report reveals that entertainment spending intentions saw an uptick in October, but travel, education, and retail spending intentions continued to flatline.
“Within the recreation sector good increases were seen in spending on boat rentals, bowling alleys, pay TV, digital books-movies-music & games, music stores and video arcades,” said CBA chief economist Stephen Halmarick.
For information about the assistance available to households, along with tips to keep your finances in good health amid the current crisis, browse our guide to coronavirus and your finances.
Savings account comparisons on Mozo - last updated 23 October 2021
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Boost Saver with Go Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Intro bonus rate of 1.50% for first 3 months, reverting to 1.20% after. Deposit $2,000 each month and make 5 eligible payments from your Go Account. If you are between 18 and 25 deposit $1,000.
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. No monthly fees. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
CompareCompareBoost Saver with Go Account
Enjoy a savings account bundled with a spending account. No monthly fees. New customers can earn up to 5000 bonus Virgin Money points on purchases (conditions apply). Benefit together with a joint account
- Maximum rate
- 1.50% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Intro bonus rate of 1.50% for first 3 months, reverting to 1.20% after. Bonus interest only applies when you deposit $2,000 into your Go Account and make 5 debit card purchases, direct debit or BPAY payments in the previous month. If you are between 18 and 25 you need to deposit $1,000 and fulfil the other criteria.
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Bank and savings account only accessible through iOS or Android app. Bonus introductory interest rate of 1.50% available for accounts opened by 30 Nov 2021.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Boost Saver with Go Account
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Online Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $500,000)0.35% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
CompareCompareOnline Saver
No account keeping fees. No minimum balance required. Unlimited phone and internet transactions.
- Maximum rate
- 1.10% p.a. (for $0 to $500,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.35% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Online Saver
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Grow Saver
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
0.65% p.a. (for $0 and over)0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)Yes up to $250,000Make at least 1 deposit and no more than 1 withdrawal, including internal transfers or external payments.
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
CompareCompareGrow Saver
Earn a maximum interest rate of 0.65% per year. Pay no monthly fees. Set up in-app savings goals. Benefit with joint account options.
- Maximum rate
- 0.65% p.a. (for $0 and over)
- standard interest rate
- 0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Make at least 1 deposit and no more than 1 withdrawal, including internal transfers or external payments.
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Savings account only accessible through iOS or Android app.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Grow Saver
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Fast Track Saver Account
Maximum rate
standard interest rate
Govt Deposit Guarantee
1.05% p.a. (for $1 to $250,000)0.05% p.a.(for $1 and over)Yes up to $250,000Ongoing bonus rate applied if in the previous month $1,000 or more is credited to the linked Day2Day Plus account and 5 eligible transactions are made by the linked account.
Earn 1.05% p.a. Bonus Interest in the following month on your Fast Track Saver Account balance. Earn Bonus Interest on your savings, with no minimum balance required.
CompareCompareFast Track Saver Account
Earn 1.05% p.a. Bonus Interest in the following month on your Fast Track Saver Account balance. Earn Bonus Interest on your savings, with no minimum balance required.
- Maximum rate
- 1.05% p.a. (for $1 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.05% p.a.(for $1 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Ongoing bonus rate applied if in the previous month $1,000 or more is credited to the linked Day2Day Plus account and 5 eligible transactions are made by the linked account.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $1.00
- Other restrictions
- Bonus interest rate criteria is effective from 1 February 2020.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fast Track Saver Account
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