Cost of Living Support
The Allan Labor Government is committed to supporting families with Cost of Living Support. Below are a range of services available to assist you.
General Services
Free L-Plate and P-Plate Tests
With the costs of licence and hazard perception test fees being waived, L-Platers can save up to $51.40 and P-Platers can save up to $133.30.
Solar Homes Program
The Solar Homes Program offers eligible Victorian households solar panel rebates and the option of an interest-free loan for purchasing solar panels, hot water rebates, and an interest-free loan for solar batteries.
Victorian Default Offer
The Victorian Default Offer will reduce electricity bills for households by an average of $100 and for small businesses by $260.
Victorian Energy Compare
Find the best deal on your energy bills by comparing through Victorian Energy Compare.
Vehicle Registration Payment Scheme
You can now choose to pay your vehicle registration in smaller installments.
Winter Gas Concession
The Winter Gas Concession is available for concession card holders, giving those eligible a discount on their gas bills.
Capped V/Line Fares at Metro Rates
V/Line fares have been reduced to the daily capped fare, which is currently a $10.60 full fare and $5.30 for concession travellers.
Council Rates
The rate cap limits the maximum amount a council can increase general rates and municipal charges. The 2024-25 rate cap is 2.75 per cent.
Savings Finder
Victorians can quickly and simply access discounts, rebates and savings available to them through a new Savings Finder on the Service Victoria app and website.
Early Child Care & Healthcare Support
Free Kinder
The Victorian Government has introduced free three and four-year-old kinder, saving families up to $2,500 per child each year.
Baby Bundles
Baby bundles are being provided free of charge to parents at the time of birth, containing key parenting information and resources to support the health, development and wellbeing of the babies.
Nurse-On-Call
Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24) provides immediate, confidential expert health advice from a registered nurse, available at any time.
Early Parenting Centres
Early Parenting Centres are a free primary health service, providing specialist support for Victorian families with children from birth to 4 years.
Priority Primary Care Centres
Priority Primary Care Centres provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response, helping you receive urgent care whilst keeping emergency departments for critical, life-threatening situations.
Support for Families with Children
Prep Bags
Each Prep student attending a Victorian government school will now receive a Prep Bag, with learning items and information for parents and carers to help families have a great start to the year.
Get Active: Kids Voucher Program
Eligible parents may receive up to $200 to cover sporting costs for their children. Applications are open on October 9.
School Breakfast Clubs Program
The School Breakfast Clubs program, providing free breakfasts to students, has been expanded to include all government schools that opt in across Victoria.
Kinder Kits
Kinder Kits are activity boxes filled with books, educational toys and activities made especially for three-year-olds to enjoy at home. Your kindergarten will provide the kits to children in Term 1.
Help With School Costs and Fees
Help is available through the Affordable School Uniforms program to meet the costs of uniforms and other key school items. Victorian state government school students are eligible to receive uniform items, school shoes, stationery packs and other essential school items at no cost.
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund provides payments for eligible students to attend school camps, excursions, and sports and outdoor education programs.
Free Zoo and Museum Visits for Kids
On weekends and during school holidays, kids may visit Victorian Zoos, the National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Museum free of charge.
Glasses For Kids
Glasses for Kids provides free vision screening and, if needed, further testing and free glasses for Prep to Year 3 students at participating schools.
Smile Squad
The Smile Squad program is delivering free dental care and treatment to Victorian government school students.
Free Sanitary Pads and Tampons in all Government Schools
Free pads and tampons are now available to students in every government school in Victoria.
Jobs, Education & Training
Free TAFE
The Victorian Government now provides over 80 free TAFE courses, providing free vocational training for Victorians across many in-demand industries.
Jobs Victoria
Jobs Victoria provides personalised support for job seekers, with services including mentorship, upskilling and re-training.
Free Nursing & Midwifery Degrees
The Victorian Government is now covering the entire cost of nursing degrees, giving new nurses a HECS-free education before embarking on a rewarding career.
Free Secondary Teaching Degrees
The Victorian Government is now covering the entire cost of teaching degrees, giving prospective teachers a HECS-free education before entering their new career.
Women
Women in Security Program
The Women in Security Program is an initiative to increase the number of women in technical cybersecurity roles across Victoria. The program will provide women in Victoria with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a cybersecurity role.
Free Pads and Tampons
The Victorian Government is providing free pads and tampons in vending machines located in up to 700 public locations across the state.
Seniors & Veterans
Concessions and Discounts for Veterans
The Victorian Government provides many concessions and discounts for veterans and their families or carers.
Care Finders
Care Finders is a free support service that helps vulnerable older Australians access quality aged care services.
Better Health Channel & Help At Home
The Better Health Channel and Help at Home provide a range of resources to assist seniors to live at home for as long as possible. Additional resources can be found here.
Ageing and Aged Care
A range of supports and services offered by the Victorian Government are available and can be found here.
Brimbank City Council
A number of services are offered by the Brimbank City Council for seniors.
Victorian Pensioner Free Travel Vouchers
Pensioner Concession Card holders are eligible for annual free travel vouchers. The travel vouchers can be used on trams, trains and buses, including V/Line trains and coaches.
NURSE-ON-CALL
Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24) provides immediate, confidential expert health advice from a registered nurse, available at any time.
Services Australia
Through the Commonwealth Government’s Services Australia website a range of services and supports can be accessed, including the Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, Mobility Allowance.
Support for Renters
Restricting Rent Increases
New rules now exist for landlords for increasing rent between successive fixed-term rental agreements and limiting the number of increases to once annually. Any increase must now have 60 days’ notice in writing.
Long-Term Rental Agreements
Renters can now enter into rental agreements for 5 or more years, giving renters added security and stability.
Rental Stress Support Package
The Government has provided $8 Million of additional funding for organisations who provide essential support for those facing rental stress.
Portable Bond Scheme (Coming Soon)
The Portable Bond Scheme will allow renters to transfer their bond between properties.
Rental Bidding
The Victorian Government is cracking down on rental bidding through a new renting taskforce on landlords, helping keep rental costs down.
Support for First Home Buyers
Homebuyer Fund
The Victorian Government’s shared home equity scheme is making buying a home easier for first home buyers, who can put forward as little as 5% for a house deposit with the Government contributing up to 25% of the purchase price.
Under-Quoting
New legislation means that real estate agents need to follow strict rules about how to estimate property prices.
Stamp Duty
Stamp duty has been abolished for first home buyers buying a property valued at less than $600k and is reduced for homes between $600k and $750k.
Stamp Duty - Off the Plan Purchases
If you buy off the plan, you will now only pay stamp duty on the land the property is sitting on.
First Home Owner Grant
The $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is available when you buy or build your first new home.
Land Tax on Vacant Residential Properties
Vacant Residential Land Tax has been introduced on vacant residential properties, pressuring owners of empty homes to make them available for sale and putting more homes on the market for first home buyers.
Housing
Sunshine Housing Office
Office details
Address: 16–18 Hertford Road, Sunshine VIC 3020
Operating hours: 8.45am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday
Telephone: 1300 360 462
Access for people with disability: office and one interview room fully accessible. Accessible parking is not available on site.
Housing Establish Fund - Up to $700
Eligible clients can receive $700 annually for the maintenance/establishment of private rental housing, emergency & short term housing and removalist/storage costs.
Utility Relief Grant Scheme - $650 Payment
Low-Income Victorians can access a $650 payment to help cover their bill costs.
IPC Health – St Albans
Provides support to those at risk or experiencing homelessness including primary healthcare, case management and other supports.
1 Andrea St, St Albans VIC 3021
Call: (03) 9296 1200 | Email: harh@ipchealth.com.au
Good Shepherd - Sunshine
Can provide loans, financial advice and other services.
Level 1/24 Devonshire Road, Sunshine | Call: (03) 8312 8800 |
Email: sunshine@goodshep.org.au
Anglicare Emergency Relief - St Albans
Walk-in service for food parcels available on the first and third Monday of each month from 9.30am-12.30pm.
The Martyr Anglican Church, Corner Alexina St & East Esplanade St Albans | Call: 1800 809 722
Anglicare in St Albans
Can provide financial counselling, emergency relief and other services
Parish of St Alban the Martyr, Alexina Street, St Albans, Victoria, 3021 | Call: 0408 316 414 | Web: https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/contact-us/locations/?lc_region=western
Holy Eucharist Parish
For people in Brimbank. Must have a Centrelink or Immigration Card.
1A Oleander Drive St Albans | Call: (03) 9366 1310 | Fridays 10.30am-2pm
National Debt Helpline
A service for financial counselling.
Call: 1800 007 007 | Web: ndh.org.au/
St Vincent de Paul
Phone for delivery of food, vouchers and other material aid.
Call: 1800 305 330 | Web: www.vinnies.org.au/findhelp#!vic
Victorian Homeless Crisis Line
Open 24/7 to speak with a support worker if you are at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Call: 1800 825 955
Salvation Army Social Housing Service Sunshine
This is a provider of short-term, emergency and transitional housing.
Services: Brimbank - Sunshine, Albion, Ardeer and Sunshine West
Email: Sunshine.IAP@SalvationArmy.org.au | Call: (03) 9313 4300 | Address: 6/147 Harvester Road, Sunshine, VIC 3020
Melbourne City Mission - Youth
Provides long or short term accommodation and other personal supports including education, training and employment.
Call: (03) 9614 3688
Unison Housing
This is a provider of short-term, emergency and transitional housing.
Services: Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong
Email: info@unison.org.au | Call: (Footscray) (03) 9688 8300
Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) – Homelessness assistance
Seddon: (03) 9689 2777 | Werribee: (03) 9216 0300
Social & Transitional Housing
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)
HAAG provides assistance and emergency housing services for those aged 50+.
Call: 1300 765 178 | Web: oldertenants.org.au
Victorian Social & Community Housing
The Victorian Government provides housing for people in need. Applications can be submitted online here.
Women’s Housing
Women’s Housing provides low-cost housing to women at risk of homelessness.
Call: (03) 9412 6868 | Web: womenshousing.com.au/
Monash Law Clinic
Monash Law Clinics provides free legal advice and assistance to the Victorian community across a range of legal issues - including:
Criminal and traffic charges in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Centrelink matters
Infringements
Rental disputes
Family violence intervention orders
Please call 1800 860 333 between 9:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or email law-clinics@monash.edu to request an appointment.
Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre (BMCLC)
Appointments and checks on eligibility can be arranged by calling (03) 8592 9077, or emailing legal@comm-unityplus.org.au.
BMCLC provides free legal services for people who live, work or study in the Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh communities.
Legal support is available in the areas of:
Family violence and intervention orders
Fines and infringements
Car accidents if you do not have insurance and are being chased for money
Minor criminal matters
Some family law (not property)
Legal Services
WEstjustice
WEstjustice provides free legal help to people in the western suburbs of Melbourne.
Call: (03) 9749 7720
JobWatch
JobWatch provides free legal information living in Victoria regarding any employment related matters.
Please call (03) 9662 1933 for their Telephone Information Service.
Victoria Legal Aid
Victoria Legal Aid provides free legal information and advice to people with legal problems.
If you would like to speak with a staff member at the Victorian Legal Aid, please call 1300 792 387 (Monday to Friday between 8:00am - 6:00pm).
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a range of services to support consumers to exercise their rights and ensures businesses, professionals and organisations comply with the law.
If you would like to speak with a staff member at the Consumer Affairs Victoria, please call 1300 558 181 (Monday to Friday between 9:00am - 5:00pm).
Tax Cuts for all Australians
From 1 July 2024, all Australian taxpayers will be receiving a tax cut of up to $4,529. Anyone on an income below $146,000 will now be receiving a larger tax cut than they would have under the previous planned tax cuts.
Paid Parental Leave
Parents of babies born or adopted on or after July 1st 2025 will, in addition to receiving Government-funded Paid Parental Leave, will now also receive 12% superannuation payments during this period as well.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Medicines on the PBS are capped at a price of $31.60 for two years. For pensioners and concession card holders, prices are capped at $7.65 per medicine for a period of five years. The list of medications covered by the PBS can be found here.
$300 Energy Rebate
All Australian households will receive a credit of $300, which will go towards their energy bills.
This rebate will be paid in quarterly installments directly to your energy provider.
HECS Debt Support
Australians who have a HECS debt will now have their debt indexed at the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wages Price Index (WPI) for any given year, and this will be backdated to the end of 2023, reducing the effective indexation for last year by 3.9%. This change will wipe approximately $3 billion worth of student debt.
Federal Support
Jobseeker Payment
Unemployed Australians can apply for Jobseeker payments, which will provide them with a fortnightly payment to cover living expenses.
You can apply for JobSeeker through Centrelink.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Australians living in private rentals or community housing can apply for Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which has been increased by an additional 10% in the 2024 Federal Budget.
You can apply for Commonwealth Rent Assistance through Centrelink.
Paid Placement for Uni Students
Students who are required to undertake an unpaid placement as part of their course, including teaching, nursing and social services students, will now receive up to $319.50 a week to support them while they undertake this placement.
You can apply for this payment during your placement period through Centrelink.