Scouts NSW has explored a wide range of initiatives to help ensure that we can continue to support our members and Scout Groups long into the future. To provide our members with a simple and consistent way to pay their State Membership Fees, we are moving to a direct billing process. Current youth and adult members of Scouts NSW will be directly billed the State Membership Fee on 1 April each year, beginning 1 April 2021.
Key Information
- On 1 April, current youth and adult members of Scouts NSW will be directly emailed their invoice for the 2021 State Membership Fee of $240.
In previous years, members were charged the cost of the State Membership Fee as part of a single invoice from their Scout Group (along with the cost of any local-level fees) and received their invoices at the discretion of the Group. Some Groups charged their members quarterly, while other charged annually. Members’ payment of the State Membership Fee would then be paid by Scout Groups to Scouts NSW (State) on a quarterly basis.
The direct-to-member annual billing process will make it easier for members to manage their payment of the State Membership Fee, while reducing the administrative responsibility placed on Groups and Regions to collect the fee and administer initiatives such as the Active Kids rebate.
Moving forward, all youth and adult members of Scouts NSW will be billed their State Membership Fee on 1 April every year.
- All members are required to pay their State Membership Fee via our secure authorised payment portal, Scout Pay.
Using the same secure payment portal state-wide will mean that members have a streamlined, consistent customer experience no matter which Scout Group they attend in New South Wales.
- Members can pay their State Membership Fee via credit card, debit card and/or Active Kids rebate voucher. Payment options include an upfront lump-sum payment, quarterly payment plan or Active Kids vouchers (twice yearly).
The Scout Pay payment portal offers different payment options. Members can choose to pay their State Membership Fee as an upfront lump sum or opt into a payment plan.
Families whose children are eligible for the Active Kids rebate can also choose to redeem their vouchers to cover their child’s State Membership Fee, with the remaining $40 to be covered as a credit card or debit card payment.
Note that all members have an obligation to pay 100% of the State Membership Fee.
- All local-level Group fees will remain at the discretion of Scout Groups.
Direct billing applies to the State Membership Fee only. Other fees administered by Scout Groups, and local incentives such as discounts and reimbursements, remain at the discretion of the Group.
Need further information?
Please refer to the Direct Billing page on our website for more information about the State Membership Fee, and the change to a direct billing process. The page includes specific sections for Group Leaders and Treasurers, other Adults in Scouting and parents and guardians of youth members.
If you have any specific questions about the change to the billing of the State Membership Fee, please use the question form on the page, or contact us at [email protected].
