Below are handy summaries of some of the Allan Labor Government’s iniatives to help with the cost of living.
You can click on the policy headings for more information.
If you have questions about any of these policies, please get in touch on 03 9887 0255 and shaun.leane@parliament.vic.gov.au.
School Saving Bonus
The School Saving Bonus provides $400 in support for every child at government schools, and eligible concession card holders at non-government schools.
Families just want the best for their kids, but with cost-of-living rising, school uniforms, camps, sports – the other things that make school fun – it all adds up.
The new one-off School Saving Bonus gives families of school kids one less thing to worry about and makes life that little bit easier.
Get Active Kids Voucher Program
Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees.
Children must be aged 0 to 18 and named on a valid and issued Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card and Medicare card to be eligible. Applications will open in Spring 2024.
Free Kinder
- Free Kinder: Free Kinder is available for Victorian 3- and 4-year-old children at participating services in both standalone (sessional) services and long day care (childcare) settings – meaning a saving of up to $2,563 per child, every year.
- Pre-Prep: Four-Year-Old Kindergarten will transition to ‘Pre-Prep‘ – increasing to a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for 4-year-old children in Victoria.
- Three-Year-Old Kindergarten: The roll out of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten continues, programs will increase to 15 hours a week across the state by 2029 – providing Victorian children with 2 years of a quality kindergarten program before school.
Free TAFE for more Victorians
Get the skills you need, without the tuition fees.
Skill up to get the job you want, thanks to the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program.
You can now access more than 80 Free TAFE qualifications and short courses without the cost of tuition fees, even if you already hold a VET qualification or degree.
Glasses for Kids
Provides free vision screening and, if needed, further testing and free glasses to participating Prep to Year 3 students.
Glasses for Kids targets school communities across Victoria based on areas of disadvantage.
Every Prep to Year 3 student at participating schools will be eligible to receive a free vision screening and, if required, further eye testing and free glasses.
Dental Vans and Smile Squad
Smile Squad is the Victorian government’s free school dental program.
Smile Squad delivers free oral health promotion, dental check-ups and treatment to Victorian government school students at school. Good oral health prevents dental problems before they become serious. Smile Squad helps students stay engaged in school and ready to learn.
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.
Log into your myVicRoads account (and find the section titled ‘Apprentice registration discount’ at the bottom of your account)
Victorian Energy Upgrades for households
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program helps Victorians cut power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2009, the program has supported over 2 million households to upgrade their appliances and equipment. Products include lighting, space heating and cooling, water heating, and draft sealing.
Every Victorian household can participate in the program and be eligible for incentives for energy-efficient products and services.
Victorian Energy Compare
An independent Victorian Government energy price comparison site.
To get the most out of this tool, you need a recent energy bill or smart meter data file.
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