Millions of residents in New South Wales will have access to $100 worth of free Dine and Discover vouchers by Wednesday as part of a scheme to breathe life into the hospitality sector.
Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for two $25 vouchers to spend at venues such as restaurants, cafes, bars, wineries, pubs and clubs.
A further two $25 vouchers can be used for entertainment and recreation, including museums, live music and theatre.
The scheme – designed to stimulate industries hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic – was rolled out in mostly regional areas before being expanded to popular Sydney suburbs including Bondi, Woollahra and the Inner West on March 25.
Residents in the final 11 Sydney local government areas to be made eligible can apply for the vouchers on Tuesday and Wednesday through the Service NSW app.
From venues that will double the value of your vouchers to finding participating businesses, Daily Mail Australia has created a run-down of everything you need to know about getting your hands on the vouchers.
All New South Wales residents will have access to $100 worth of free Dine and Discover vouchers to explore the state’s hospitality and entertainment sectors by Thursday. Pictured are two revellers at a Melbourne Cup event outside the Sydney Opera House in November
WHEN WILL THE VOUCHERS BE AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA?
Eligible before March 25:
• Albury City Council
• Armidale Regional Council
• Ballina Shire Council
• Balranald Shire Council
• Bega Valley Shire Council
• Bellingen Shire Council
• Berrigan Shire Council
• Broken Hill City Council
• Byron Shire Council
• Campbelltown City Council
• Central Coast Council
• Central Darling Shire Council
• Cessnock City Council
• City of Sydney Council
• Clarence Valley Council
• Coffs Harbour City Council
• Council of The Shire of Hornsby
• Dungog Shire Council
• Edward River Council
• Eurobodalla Shire Council
• Federation Council
• Glen Innes Severn Shire Council
• Goulburn Mulwaree Council
• Greater Hume Shire Council
• Gunnedah Shire Council
• Gwydir Shire Council
• Hay Shire Council
• Inverell Shire Council
• Kempsey Shire Council
• Kiama Municipal Council
• Kyogle Council
• Lake Macquarie City Council
• Lismore City Council
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council
• Lockhart Shire Council
• Maitland City Council
• Mid-Coast Council
• Moree Plains Shire Council
• Murray River Council
• Murrumbidgee Council
• Muswellbrook Shire Council
• Nambucca Valley Council
• Narrabri Shire Council
• Newcastle City Council
• Northern Beaches Council
• Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Port Stephens Council
• Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
• Richmond Valley Council
• Ryde City Council
• Shellharbour City Council
• Singleton Council
• Shoalhaven City Council
• Snowy Monaro Regional Council
• Snowy Valleys Council
- Tamworth Regional Council
• Tenterfield Shire Council
• Tweed Shire Council
• Upper Hunter Shire Council
• Upper Lachlan Shire Council
• Uralla Shire Council
• Wagga Wagga City Council
• Walcha Council
• Wingecarribee Shire Council
• Wollondilly Shire Council
• Wollongong City Council
• Yass Valley Council
Eligible from March 25:
Bayside Council
Burwood Council
City Of Canada Bay Council
Georges River Council
Inner West Council
Randwick City Council
Strathfield Municipal Council
Waverley Council
Woollahra Municipal Council
Eligible from March 30:
The Hills Shire Council
The Council Of The Municipality Of Hunters Hill
Lane Cove Municipal Council
Mossman Municipal Council
Eligible from March 31:
Canterbury-Bankstown Council
Hawkesbury City Council
Ku-Ring-Gai Council
Liverpool City Council
North Sydney Council
Sutherland Shire Council
Willoughby City Council
The vouchers are accessible from the Service NSW app under the ‘Vouchers’ section, and downloadable as a QR code
How do I apply?
The vouchers are accessible from the Service NSW app under the ‘Vouchers’ section, and downloadable as a QR code.
To apply for the vouchers, online users need a MyServiceNSW account and two identity documents to prove who they are – like a Medicare card or a passport.
NSW residents can find out if they are eligible yet by searching their address in the app.
To find out where to download the Service NSW app, visit the Service NSW website.
How will I receive the vouchers and where are they eligible?
The vouchers will be available in the Service NSW app and via email.
They can then presented to any business that are enrolled in the program.
The vouchers are valid until June 30 and can be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.
There will be a map on the Service NSW app showing businesses where the vouchers can be used.
A customer is pictured at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The venue is one of the businesses offering double value to Dine & Discover voucher holders
Are some restaurants and bars offering a deal to voucher holders?
Some venues, including those operated by The Sydney Collective hospitality group, are offering deals to those who use their vouchers.
Northies in Cronulla and the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel are among the venues owned by The Sydney Collective doubling the value of Dine & Discover vouchers.
The owner of Barangaroo’s Bungalow 8, Australian Venue Co, is also offering to double the $25 value of each voucher.
The vouchers have already been successfully trialled at venues in The Rocks and on Sydney’s northern beaches. Pictured are diners in Sydney
Two of the $25 Dine & Discover vouchers can be spent on entertainment, including art galleries. Pictured are recent visitors at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney
Why am I being given the vouchers?
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has described the initiative as a win-win for everyone.
‘For too long because of Covid, we haven’t been able to support these business, so it’s a win for citizens and a win for businesses as it boosts their ability to receive people again as we move through Covid,’ she told reporters on Friday.
‘It also allows up to open up the economy as the more dollars that go into the economy allows us to grow in the future to create and protect jobs because so many people were displaced because of Covid.’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) described the voucher initiative as a win-win
NSW residents can access the free vouchers via the Service NSW app. Pictured are diners enjoying a drink at a Sydney bar
Ms Berejiklian added the government was ‘overwhelmingly satisfied’ with the early success of the initiative.
A non-digital alternative will be available for customers who don’t have a smartphone or compatible device.
Peak business lobby group Business NSW has encouraged businesses in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors to register for the program.
