On this page:
- What is the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme?
- Who is eligible to apply for the vouchers?
- When will this voucher scheme open?
- Over what period of time can travel take place?
- How does Victoria’s scheme compare to those in other states?
- How will the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme work?
- How the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme works
- Where can the Regional Travel Vouchers be spent?
- What can the vouchers be spent on?
- What can’t vouchers be used for?
- Can I use the voucher for an existing booking?
- Can I stay in unpaid accommodation i.e. a holiday house?
- How much are the Regional Travel Vouchers worth?
- What happens if I spend less than $400? Can I claim 50% of what I spend?
- How many vouchers can individuals get? Is there a limit?
- When will the regional travel vouchers be valid for travel?
- I got a voucher in Round 1. Can I use it Round 2 or Round 3?
- How do I claim my $200 travel voucher reimbursement?
- When can I expect payment after redeeming my voucher?
- Where will payments be made?
- What happens if I am unsuccessful in Round 1? Can I apply in future rounds?
- Why did I miss out on a travel voucher?
- Can I give my voucher to someone else to use?
- I‘ve lost my travel receipts. Can I still redeem my voucher and claim my $200 reimbursement?
- Who is administering the program?
- What if I need any further assistance?
- List of eligible regional municipalities
What is the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme?
We want Victorians to get out and explore our wonderful state, whether that’s a romantic weekend away or a family holiday, and in the process give our tourism businesses and workers a boost.
The Regional Travel Voucher SchemeSlot game will give Victorians an incentive to explore their state, by providing vouchers to Victorian residents to contribute to the costs of accommodation, tourism attractions or tours undertaken in regional Victoria, the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula.
Who is eligible to apply for the vouchers?
Victorian residents over the age of 18 are eligible to apply. Each household is limited to one voucher each.
Each voucher gives the voucher holder the right to claim for a reimbursement of $200 if they have spent at least $400 on accommodation, a tourism attraction or tour in regional Victoria, including the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges or the Mornington Peninsula. Even if the applicant spends more than $400 on tourism in regional Victoria, they are only entitled to a $200 reimbursement.
When will this voucher scheme open?
The first round of vouchers was released on 11 December at 10.00am. More vouchers will be released in 2021.
Due to the high level of demand from Round 1, there will be 30,000 vouchers available on Monday 14 December 2020 with the same eligible travel period as Round 1. Registrations will open at 12pm on Monday 14 December 2020 via the Apply now button on the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme page.
Over what period of time can travel take place?
The indicative key dates for this scheme are:
| Round & vouchers* | Registrations open | Eligible travel period | Claim period and cutoff date |
|---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | 11 December 2020, 10.00am | 12 December 2020 to 22 January 2021 | 4 January 2021 to 5 February 2021 |
Round 2 | 20 January 2021, 10.00am | 27 January 2021 to 1 April 2021 | 11 March 2021 to 15 April 2021 |
Round 3 | 30 March 2021, 10.00am | 6 April 2021 to 31 May 2021 | 10 May 2021 to 14 June 2021 |
How does Victoria’s scheme compare to those in other states?
The Regional Travel Voucher Scheme is the largest travel voucher scheme in Australia.
Similar but smaller programs have been running in South Australia ($5 million), Tasmania ($12.5 million) and Northern Territory ($16.2 million).
How will the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme work?
Registration and redemption of vouchers will be a simple process:
- Applicants register for a voucher online.
- Applicants will receive an email within 24 hours acknowledging their registration is among the number of applicants available for that round and that they will receive a voucher subject to an eligibility check.
- Voucher recipients take their trip to regional Victoria during the eligible travel period.
- Following their trip, recipients will be able to redeem their voucher by providing invoices and receipts as evidence of eligible expenditure of $400 or more.
- Upon confirmation of eligible expenditure, voucher funds of $200 are transferred to the recipient’s nominated Australian bank account.
How the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme works
| Process | Key details |
|---|---|
Register for a voucher Round 1: from 10.00am on 11 December 2020 Round 2: from 10.00am on 20 January 2021 Round 3: from 10.00am on 30 March 2021 Victorian residents apply to be registered to receive a Regional Travel Voucher. | Slot gameYou are asked to give a brief outline of your planned visit to regional Victoria, as well as attach evidence of your Victorian residency and age, usually your drivers licence. Note that if your planned travel changes, you can still redeem your voucher for travel undertaken in the Eligible Travel Period. |
Slot gameYour registration is acknowledged Within 24 hours, you will receive an email acknowledging your registration. This will be issued subject to final eligibility checks. Places are given on a first-come-first-served with.at least 40,000 vouchers in each Round. | There will be a processing period of approximately 5 business days after your registration has been received to confirm your eligibility. If you are confident with your eligibility, you can book your travel and travel can commence during the relevant Eligible Travel Period. |
Slot gameYou can now take your trip Slot gameIf you are on the Regional Travel Voucher Register you can now undertake your visit to regional Victoria and spend at least $400 on Eligible Expenses. | You can now book and take your trip during the Eligible Travel Period:
|
Slot gameYou can redeem your voucher between: Round 1: 4 January 2021 and 5 February 2021 Round 2: 11 March 2021 and 15 April 2021 Round 3: 10 May 2021 and 14 June 2021 During the claim period you can apply for reimbursement by making a claim. The claim period will be open for approximately five weeks for each round. | Slot gameYou will be sent a link during the Eligible Travel Period to enable you to make your claim after you have undertaken your trip during the relevant Eligible Travel Period. Note that we will also ask you at this point if you still intend to take your trip (if you have not yet travelled) or if you choose to relinquish your Voucher. Slot gameUsing the link we send you, you can upload the evidence of eligible expenditure from your trip. Please note that you will need to provide tax invoices and/or receipts for a value of at least $400 towards Eligible Expenses. The last day you can redeem your travel Voucher claim is: Slot gameRound 1: 5 February 2021 Round 2: 15 April 2021 Slot gameRound 3: 14 June 2021 |
Slot gameFunds will be sent to your nominated bank account Round 1: Between 11 January 2021 and 12 February 2021 Round 2: Between 18 March 2021 and 22 April 2021 Slot gameRound 3: Between 17 May 2021 and 21 June 2021 The evidence submitted is checked and your claim is processed. These dates are approximate only. | Slot gamePayments will be made weekly. We will endeavour to make payments within 10 days of your claim. Payments are only made during the payment periods. Slot gameYou will receive $200 into your nominated Australian bank account. |
Where can the Regional Travel Vouchers be spent?
The vouchers can be spent in the 11 regional tourism regions in Victoria which comprises the 48 Regional and Rural Council areas, plus the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Frankston City Council, Yarra Ranges Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Cardinia Shire Council, Victoria’s six Alpine Resorts, French Island, Lady Julia Percy Island and Gabo Island. See attachment A for a full list of eligible municipalities.
What can the vouchers be spent on?
Slot gameTo be eligible for redemption, the following criteria must be met:
- Recipients must stay a minimum of two nights in regional Victoria in paid accommodation
- Travel must be undertaken within the 48 regional and rural Local Government Areas, including Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and Victorian alpine ski resorts (see below for a list of eligible locations).
- Expenditure of more than $400 must be incurred on one or more of the following:
- Paid accommodation – which means serviced apartments, backpacker and hostels, bed and breakfasts, cabins or caravans in holiday parks, caravan and camping site fees, cottages, farm stays, private holiday rentals, houseboats, motels, hotels, resorts, retreats and lodges; or
- Tours - which means tour operators that offer regularly organised tours with a leisure-tourism focus, organised by experienced guides. These may include a personal host and/or commentary. For example, a boat cruise, guided walk, bus tour, air tour, agri-tourism, food and wine tour, sport tour, outdoor and adventure tour; or
- Entry fees – which means places/areas of interest that offer a distinct visitor experience to the leisure tourist such as museums, water parks, local attractions, theme parks.
What can’t vouchers be used for?
Slot gameVouchers cannot be used on items such as:
- Gaming
- Alcohol (except if alcohol is included in wine/brewery/distillery tasting type tour but excludes any alcohol purchased and consumed outside of the experience)
- Fuel
- Food and drinks except where packaged with a bookable tourism product
- Groceries
- Personal items such as clothing and accessories
- Transport costs (rental vehicles, train and bus tickets).
Can I use the voucher for an existing booking?
Yes.
Can I stay in unpaid accommodation i.e. a holiday house?
No, you must stay in paid accommodation for your holiday. This scheme is designed to provide a boost to regional tourism businesses including accommodation providers; you still must spend at least $400 on accommodation, tours or entry fees to tourism attractions.
How much are the Regional Travel Vouchers worth?
Slot gameThe vouchers are worth $200 each and recipients must spend a minimum of $400 on eligible expenses.
What happens if I spend less than $400? Can I claim 50% of what I spend?
No. The vouchers are fixed at $200, and you must spend a minimum of $400 on eligible expenses.
How many vouchers can individuals get? Is there a limit?
Slot gameVouchers are available strictly one per household across all rounds of the scheme. Vouchers are not transferable.
When will the regional travel vouchers be valid for travel?
The vouchers will be valid during the travel period as set out in the table below. Vouchers will have a specific expiry dates based on the round of issue.
After that time that the voucher will become void and will not be able to be redeemed.
| Round | Commencement of eligible travel period | Completion of eligible travel period |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 12 December 2020 | 22 January 2021 |
| #2 | 27 January 2021 | 1 April 2021 |
| #3 | 6 April 2021 | 31 May 2021 |
I got a voucher in Round 1. Can I use it Round 2 or Round 3?
No. Vouchers are only eligible for use in the eligible travel period for the round of allocation.
How do I claim my $200 travel voucher reimbursement?
Slot gameYou will receive an email after your proposed travel period to enable you to make your claim.
Slot gameUsing the link in this email, you can upload the evidence of eligible expenditure from your trip. Note that you will need to provide tax invoices and/or receipts for a value of at least $400.
The last day you can redeem your travel Voucher claim is:
- Round 1: 5 February 2021
- Round 2: 15 April 2021
- Round 3: 14 June 2021
When can I expect payment after redeeming my voucher?
We are aiming to process payments on a weekly basis following the claim period opening, as follows:
- Round 1: Between 11 January 2021 and 12 February 2021
- Round 2: Between 18 March 2021 and 22 April 2021
- Round 3: Between 17 May 2021 and 21 June 2021
Slot gameThese dates are approximate only.
Where will payments be made?
Payments of $200 will be made into your nominated Australian bank account.
Slot gameWe cannot make payments by cash or cheque.
What happens if I am unsuccessful in Round 1? Can I apply in future rounds?
Slot gameYes. You can apply in future rounds.
Why did I miss out on a travel voucher?
There is a limited number of vouchers available. The scheme works on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis.
Slot gameAdditional vouchers will be released in future rounds in 2021.
Can I give my voucher to someone else to use?
Slot gameNo. Vouchers are non-transferable and only the person receiving the voucher can submit a claim for reimbursement. However, you can share your travel experiences with friends and family.
I‘ve lost my travel receipts. Can I still redeem my voucher and claim my $200 reimbursement?
To redeem your voucher, you will need to provide evidence of eligible expenditure from your trip. This means you will need to provide tax invoices and receipts for a value of at least $400.
Who is administering the program?
This program is being administered by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions on behalf of the Victorian Government.
What if I need any further assistance?
For further assistance please or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.
List of eligible regional municipalities
The following municipalities are included in the 11 Regional Tourism regions:
- Alpine Shire Council
- Ararat Rural City Council
- Ballarat City Council
- Bass Coast Shire Council
- Baw Baw Shire Council
- Benalla Rural City Council
- Buloke Shire Council
- Campaspe Shire Council
- Cardinia Shire Council
- Central Goldfields Shire Council
- Colac‐Otway Shire Council
- Corangamite Shire Council
- East Gippsland Shire Council
- Falls Creek Alpine resort
- Frankston City Council
- French Island
- Gabo island
- Gannawarra Shire Council
- Glenelg Shire Council
- Golden Plains Shire Council
- Greater Bendigo City Council
- Greater Geelong City Council
- Greater Shepparton City Council
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Hindmarsh Shire Council
- Horsham Rural City Council
- Indigo Shire Council
- Lady Julia Percy island
- Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
- Latrobe City Council
- Loddon Shire Council
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Mansfield Shire Council
- Mildura Rural City Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Moira Shire Council
- Moorabool Shire Council
- Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort
- Mount Buller Alpine Resort
- Mount Hotham Alpine Resort
- Mount Stirling Alpine Resort
- Moyne Shire Council
- Murrindindi Shire Council
- Nillumbik Shire Council
- Northern Grampians Shire Council
- Pyrenees Shire Council
- Queenscliffe Borough
- South Gippsland Shire Council
- Southern Grampians Shire Council
- Strathbogie Shire Council
- Surf Coast Shire Council
- Swan Hill Rural City Council
- Towong Shire Council
- Wangaratta Rural City Council
- Warrnambool City Council
- Wellington Shire Council
- West Wimmera Shire Council
- Wodonga City Council
- Yarra Ranges Shire Council
- Yarriambiack Shire Council
Reviewed 14 December 2020