Cost of Living Support
Free Public Transport
From 1 January 2026, all public transport across Victoria will be free for children and young people under 18 years of age.
From 1 January 2026, all public transport will also be free for Victorian Seniors Card holders on weekends, with discounted weekday transport also available.
Find out more www.premier.vic.gov.au/free-public-transport-every-child-every-day-everywhere
Fairer Regional Fares
Since 31 March 2023, no matter where you live in Victoria, it will cost you the same amount to travel. The most you’ll pay is the same as a daily capped fare, which is currently $10.60.
For shorter regional trips, it will be even less.
And with weekend saver discounts, travel on Victoria’s regional network on weekends and public holidays, and your daily fare will currently only be $7.20 or $3.60 concession.
Find out more - www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/introducing-fairer-fares-for-regional-victorians/
Free L and P licences
We’re making L and P licences free!
New learner drivers will save up to $51.40 in learner licencing and online testing fees. While probationary drivers will save up to $133.30 in probationary licence and online hazard perception testing fees.
For more information visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/licence-fees/motorist-package
New learner drivers can also access myLearners Free Lesson - a free 60 minute in-car session delivered by an accredited driving instructor to teach learner drivers essential road safety skills, and help supervising drivers gain the confidence to support their learners to complete their 120 hours.
For more information visit mylearnersdrive.com.au
Safe Driver Discount
We’ve brought back the Safe Driver Discount. Full licence holders (car, motorcycle, and heavy vehicle) who haven't incurred demerit points or committed other road safety offences for three years prior to their licence renewal will receive a 25 per cent discount on their next renewal as part of the Safe Driver Discount program.
For more info go here - www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/licence-fees/motorist-package
Community Pharmacy Program
We're expanding the Community Pharmacy Program to make it bigger, and permanent.
Participating pharmacists can deliver free consultations for conditions including uncomplicated UTIs, resupply of the oral contractive pill, mild skin conditions and travel vaccinations.
We're continuing to expand the program over the next two years to more pharmacies, and more conditions including acute nausea and vomiting, school sores, allergies, reflux and minor wound management.
There are currently 8 participating pharmacies across the Bellarine including:
Barwon Heads:
- Barwon Heads Pharmacy
Drysdale:
- Peak Pharmacy Drysdale
- Drysdale Village Pharmacy
Leopold:
- Direct Chemist Outlet Leopold
- Peak Pharmacy Leopold
Ocean Grove:
- Direct Chemist Outlet Ocean Grove
- Direct Chemist Outlet Kingston
- Ocean Grove Terrace Pharmacy
Find out more at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/community-pharmacist-pilot
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED)
Access emergency care from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Be connected to doctors and nurse practitioners who are trained to assist you with non-life-threatening emergencies.
VVED triages and treats patients with non-life-threatening conditions virtually from any personal device with a camera for free, no referral required.
Find out more at www.vved.org.au
Urgent Care Clinics
Urgent Care Clinics provide GP-led care to people who need urgent care, but not an emergency response.
The clinics are free for anyone with or without a Medicare card.
People can seek care for a range of reasons including sprains, broken bones, mild burns, respiratory illness, tonsilitis, ear infections and urinary tract infections.
For more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/urgent-care-clinics
School Breakfast Club Expanding
The School Breakfast Club is expanding to every Victorian government school.
The Government invested $21.1 million in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 to expand the program to every government school, bringing total investment in the program since 2016 to $162.3 million.
Since the expanded investment, more than 40 additional schools have joined up to the program. In total, 150 additional schools will join the program by June 2025.
By June 2026, all government schools in the state will have had the chance to opt in – with the program set to support up to 200,000 students. The program is delivered in partnership with Foodbank Victoria.
To find out more visit www.vic.gov.au/school-breakfast-clubs-program
Get Active Kids Voucher Program
Helping eligible families with the cost of uniforms, equipment and membership fees, removing financial barriers and making sure kids have the chance to play the sport they love.
Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees.
To find out more visit www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/
Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund assists eligible families with the cost of camps, sporting activities and excursions/incursions.
From 1 January 2026, families eligible for CSEF will see an increase in support to $400 for primary and secondary school children.
Find out more at www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
Free Kinder
This is the biggest overhaul to early childhood education in Victoria. Here’s what you need to know:
- In 2023 three and four year old kinder became free, meaning families will save up to $2,500 a year for every child.
- From 2025, we’ll begin to open 50 government owned child care centres across the State in areas that need them most.
- And also from 2025 we’ll transition from 15 hours of four year old kinder to a 30 hour pre-prep program of play-based learning for every four-year-old child in Victoria.
It’s about putting money back in your pocket—and giving every young Victorian the very best start in life.
To find out more, go to www.vic.gov.au/kinder
Over 70 Free TAFE Courses
There has never been a better time to upskill, change or kick-start your career with the State Labor Government’s Free TAFE initiative.
Free TAFE covers tuition fees for students who are eligible for government-subsidised training.
Free TAFE offers more than 70 courses across growth industries, including Early Childhood Education, Health, Construction & Infrastructure, Agriculture, Hospitality and Community & Disability Services.
For more visit www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe or call 13 18 23.
Delivering the Sick Pay Guarantee
You shouldn’t have to choose between a day’s pay and looking after you and your loved ones health.
That’s why the Victorian Government has introduced the Sick Pay Guarantee. Eligible casual and contract workers in many industries can now register online, and access up to five days of sick and carer’s pay per year.
And as part of the 2-year pilot, the Government is doing all the admin for the program and making payments directly to workers—meaning no extra paperwork for businesses.
Head to www.service.vic.gov.au/services/sick-pay-guarantee to find out more and check if you are eligible.
Free Registration for Eligible Trade Apprentices
If you’re a trade apprentice using your car for work, you may be eligible to get 100% off your registration renewal.
To find out more visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/registration-fees/concessions-and-discounts/trade-apprentice-registration-discount
Short Term Rego Renewal
Pay less upfront when you choose a 3 or 6 month registration renewal. Short-term rego payment gives people more flexibility with how and when they pay – helping them manage their household budget.
And hundreds of thousands of Victorians are now paying their registration every three months or every six months, allowing them to pay less upfront and spread the cost of renewing their registration across the year.
For more info go here - www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/registration-fees/short-term-rego
Energy Rebates
You may be eligible for a rebate for installing solar panels, a solar battery or solar hot water system.
We also provide rebates for eligible owner-occupier and rental properties to upgrade to energy efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners.
For more info go to www.solar.vic.gov.au or call 1300 376 393.
