Getting paid to eat out

As part of the NSW Budget announced on Tuesday, the NSW Government announced details of its Out and About scheme, which provides vouchers for people to support local hospitality and tourism providers.

The program will be rolled out across the state from late January 2021.

If you are a NSW resident and aged 18 and over, you will be eligible to receive four $25 vouchers. Two vouchers can be used to purchase food at venues such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs and the other two vouchers can be used for activities such as visiting cultural institutions, performing arts, cinemas or amusement parks.

To participate in the scheme you must have a MyServiceNSW account. Customers are encouraged to access their vouchers from the Service NSW app. You can download the Service NSW app now and register for a MyServiceNSW account ahead of the vouchers becoming available in early 2021. 

What do you think of the scheme? Would free vouchers encourage you to start eating out again?

13 comments

Can hardly wait till 2021 :)

I didn't eat out before COVID-19! The entertainment vouchers may be good.

But in either case, it is going to depend on where you can use them and under what conditions. We already know if the 'bill' is less than $25 you don't get change.

And the intention of course is that you actually spend more than the $25. Depending on your usual habits this could cost you less than normal of course e.g. a $30 meal may only cost you $5.

 

Let us enjoy the offering and if one thinks it's rather generous we might give a larger tip to the waiter. Have started eating out here again twice a week without encouragement; we are still above the ground do not forget!

"What do you think of the scheme? Would free vouchers encourage you to start eating out again?"

Any scheme that helps the restaurant industry after at least 8 months of not being able to operate but still needing to pay some overheads has to be a good thing. The vouchers are not compulsory so if you don't want to eat out then you don't have to. I note the knockers who complained about JobKeeper, the increase in JobSeeker and who will undoubtedly knock this well thought out stimulus by the NSW Government. As the late Jack Gibson once said: "This mob would boo Santa Claus!"

What about in Victoria Dan? 

You have to fork out $400 for accommodation first and then you are eligible for a voucher.

BACK LUCK IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN N.S.W.

You might have to leave Kentucky Hills mate!!

The NSW Premier gets her nose out of joint and whines about the GST 'cos NSW is not getting more than its fair share.

Now she hands out free dining vouchers!

From whence comes this money?

From pensioners who have the audacity to need any kind of health care, Jack.  Hasn’t Paul Keating suggested a HECS method of payment for their medical fees?  From the same people whose taxes every year have paid for multimillionaire Keating‘s salary and perks and pension and lots of perks.  And now, when they’re frail Keating finds another way for them to keep his pension secure.

Hopefully from the Socialist State of Victoria, Jack. Dig in and help out!

Triss, aren't LNP  millionaire Turnbull, mis guided war monger Howard, and UK resident Abbott all on the same deal?

Apparently not, Viking, taxpayer funded ex PMs have decided they are not in the same class as real pensioners therefore can keep all their loot. 

If this is free then who is paying for it?  It might be a good idea if you trust this government but before the last State election I received a letter from the LNP saying vote LNP and ALL rural and regional Seniors would receive a $250.00 travel card to compensate for the lack of subsidised public transport city dwellers receive. But when they got back into power they did the usual LNP thing, changed the rules and wording to 'all aged pensioners with concession cards.' Even the LNP doesnt recognise people who work hard to support themselves and pay taxes all their life.

The UK government earlier in the pandemic brought in a "cheap eats" at pubs and restaurants scheme. This 'bringing people together' is regarded as largely responsible for the current pandemic second wav, filling the hospitals e killing thousands more people. I hope we don't have similar regrets.

Me too Cosmo, I received a similar letter from my local National Party member promising all regional seniors would receive the travel card. When I emailed him after the election to ask where the card was, I received a reply from his offsider saying the wording had changed. Trust the LNP to lie? Sure can!

I got the travel card earlier this year and I understood the message correctly; it was for Seniors on the concession card - you had to bring it in to motor licencing branches here in the country together with your driving permit or ID card; good for petrol, regional trains and taxis. It was never intended for SFRs in the first place. There should not be a difference between Seniors and Age Pensioners, but there unfortunately is in this country (blame income and asset testing, not the current govt). Change the system because changing the govt won't make a difference.

Mariner; that's not correct, I have the original letter from my local NP member in front of me and it says quite clearly:"Regional Seniors Transport card -To be eligible for the card, you need to be either an aged pensioner or a superannuation and annuity income earner who lives in regional NSW." That woud include nearly all seniors and most self funded retirees would be superannuation or annuity earner. The fact that it is called a Regional Seniors card and all Seniors cards are issued by State governments suggests that it applies to all Seniors not aged pensioners otherwise why not call it a Regional Aged Pensioners Travel card? The reason is quite clear, it's to mislead!

Live in NSW, the local pub has a special lunch every day of the week for $10, every day something healthy. Eating there quite frequently, albeit for a higher menu most times - but the $10 special is there for people who are "on Budget". Do not need the vouchers but I am not against them and say - "good on you Gladys".

I cannot wait for my local RSL Bistro to open up again. Who cares about vouchers etc, I will consider my weekly visit as part of 'returning to normal' (or Covid Normal if you prefer). Besides Victoria's 'scheme' is after one spends $400 in regional areas, may take advantage of that, but I do not know all the details (and small print) yet. There's bound to be a 'catch-22' so I won't hold my breath.

That's what I like to see, rich and poor treated the same. The poor will buy a nice hearty meal and the rich a nice bottle of wine LOL

Where can I spend my vouchers? 

You can use your vouchers at participating and COVID-safe registered businesses. Further details on eligible business industries will be made available in the coming weeks.

The vouchers cannot be used for gambling or to purchase tobacco or alcohol.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/out-about-vouchers

 

Thanks Suze for the link!

 

That sounds like a great way to spread COVID!

Only the Liberals could dream up a scheme to encourage people to go to restaurants and theatres while there is a limit on how many people can be in restaurants and theatres at the one time.

And when I eat out my bill is less than $25. 

 

You'll be able to leave a decent tip then for the wait staff.

Triss, you are right, after he had the dessert as well; but then if your name is Fedup, enough is as good as a feast.

Fedup, You're right, as Cosmo said above that's exactly how the UK's second wave started, only 500 plus there died in the past 24 hours.

How WA households can get hold of $600 Synergy and Horizon Power bonus |  7NEWS.com.au 

Just went online to pay my electricity bill and found that it has already been paid..compliments of the WA Govt!

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth...enjoy your vouchers!

While this virus is about there is no way I will be eating out or going to public places --

 

What  a great surprise Sophie with you Elect Bill

 

13 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment