Strengthening our community and economy

In this Budget, the Victorian Government is strengthening Victoria's health system, creating thousands of local jobs including by reviving the State Electricity Commission (SEC), building the Education State, growing and improving our road and transport networks, providing cost of living relief to families and supporting communities across the state.

Cost of living relief for families

While we think it’s only fair that those who did better out of the pandemic than others contribute the most to the repayment effort, the Victorian Government also recognises that high inflation and interest rate hikes are raising the cost of living for many in our community.

We know Victorians are paying more at the bowser and the supermarket, to get where they need to go, and for their electricity bills.

That’s why we’ve been getting on with delivering programs that help to drive down the cost of living for families across the state. We’ve made kinder free, delivered three rounds of the Power Saving Bonus, implemented the Solar Homes Program, delivered free Ls and Ps, set rate caps for all Victorian councils, and introduced the Victorian Default Offer.

In this Budget we’re going even further by funding more initiatives that provide relief in energy, transport and everyday living expenses:

• $400 million for the fourth round of the hugely popular Power Saving Bonus, providing another $250 to households that use the Victorian Energy Compare website to search for the cheapest electricity deal.
• $373 million for Free Kinder to give Victorian parents – especially mums – the choice to return to work if they want to and provide savings to families each year, up to $2,500 in 2023.
• $190 million for fairer public transport fares for regional Victorians – capping regional public transport fares at the metro rate to make it easier for families and commuters in regional Victoria to leave the car at home and get around by train and bus.
• $141 million to install air conditioners across more than 40 high-rise public housing towers, keeping homes cool for more than 13,000 Victorians.
• $50 million to enable more Victorian families to access public fertility care, with up to 3,375 treatment cycles funded each year.
• $42 million to install 100 neighbourhood batteries across the state at targeted locations to drive down power bills even more – increasing the number of homes with access to a battery and providing crucial extra storage capacity for local communities.
• $42 million to recognise the service of Victorian veterans and their families and helping them with the cost of living. This includes introducing the Victorian Veterans Card, which will entitle veterans to a $100 discount on the registration of one vehicle, free public transport on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, free trailer and caravan registration and free fishing and boating licences.
• $23 million to provide free period products in public places across the state. We’ll install up to 1,500 free pad and tampon machines at up to 700 public sites including courts, TAFEs, public libraries, train stations and major cultural institutions like the State Library of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum, so women can access period products where and when they need them.
• $17 million over four years to continue our Baby Bundle program – supporting new mums and dads across Victoria as they transition into parenthood and help them give their babies the very best start in life.
• $17 million to expand the Smile Squad free dental program to low-fee independent and Catholic schools from 2026 – saving parents time and money on trips to the dentist.
• $16 million for Solar Victoria to provide interest-free loans to eligible households to install solar battery storage systems in their home.
• $16 million to keep providing pads and tampons in every government school free of charge. We’ll also develop resources and education materials and deliver pelvic pain education programs to 100 government schools each year – because we’re working to normalise periods so that every girl feels comfortable managing their menstrual cycle.
• $10 million to deliver free car rego for our hardworking trade apprentices. Eligible bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, electricians, plumbers and other apprentices who rely on their vehicle for work will benefit from the saving – worth up to $865 every year.