Cost of living is hitting people in our community hard.
I want you to know that you are not alone.
For updates on support services in our community, follow Daniela De Martino MP:
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Bills and Food
Local charities can offer support:
Foothills Community Care Inc
(03) 8711 8677
Hope on Friday
(03) 9754 6809
www.hopeinthehills.org.au
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS)
0468 468 430
The Philanthropic Collective
www.philanthropic.org.au/contact
The Food Store @ St Luke’s (operated by ECHO Youth & Family Services)
Monbulk Care Network
(03) 9756 7800
Food is Free Tecoma
tecomauc.org.au/foodisfree
0416 149 776
Knox Infolink
(03) 9761 1325
Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services
(03) 5962 2940
St Vincent De Paul
www.vinnies.org.au
1800 305 682
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/
(03) 9437 4997
Financial Counselling
Mortgage Stress Victoria
1800 572 292
ECHO Youth & Family Services No Interest Loans (NILs)
0427 895 596
Knox Infolink NILs
(03) 9761 1325
EACH
1300 003 224
www.each.com.au/service/eastern-financial-counselling-services/
Keeping costs low for bills
Victorian Default Offer:
The Victorian Default Offer is a simple and trusted electricity price that is set by the independent Energy Services Commission, not energy companies.
The Victorian Default Offer guarantees the lowest price available on electricity.
www.esc.vic.gov.au/electricity-and-gas/prices-tariffs-and-benchmarks/victorian-default-offer
Cheaper bills for those who need it most:
The State Government is offering discounted gas and electricity bills for concession card holders.
www.services.dffh.vic.gov.au/annual-electricity-concession
Assistance with water bills:
The Victorian Government also offers up to 50% off their annual water and sewerage bill to eligible pensioners and health care card holders.
www.water.vic.gov.au/for-households/help-paying-your-bills
Putting power in your hands:
The State Electricity Commision (SEC) is officially back.
Helping you save on solar:
Rebates and interest free loans are available for installing solar panels.
www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate
Rebates for installing solar batteries:
www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-battery-rebate
Discounts & other support
An easy way to find savings for you:
Service Victoria Savings Finder - search more than 60 discounts, rebates, and savings to find the most relevant for you.
www.service.vic.gov.au/services/savings-finder/
Discounts on rego, licenses, and transport for veterans:
www.service.vic.gov.au/services/veterans-card-victoria
Families & Education
$400 School Saving Bonus
Open to parents and carers of every child enrolled in a government school in 2025. For non-government schools, families eligible for the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, including healthcare and concession card holders, will also be eligible for the additional $400 support.
www.vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus
Free Kinder
Free three and four-year-old kinder, saving families up to $2,500 per child each year.
www.vic.gov.au/sending-child-kinder
Discounts for school uniforms, shoes, and books
www.vic.gov.au/help-school-costs-and-fees
Get Active Kids Voucher
Up to $200 towards the cost of kids’ sports needs.
https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/
Smile Squad
Free dental care at government primary schools
www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
Free Glasses for Kids
Free vision screening and glasses for kids in primary school.
www.vic.gov.au/glasses-for-kids
School Breakfast Club
Free breakfasts and lunches at selected schools.
www.vic.gov.au/school-breakfast-clubs-program
Free pads and tampons
Free pads and tampons are now available in every government school in Victoria
https://www.vic.gov.au/free-sanitary-pads-and-tampons-all-government-schools
Free Zoos and Museum entry
Free visits for kids on weekends and during school holidays
Melbourne, Healesville, and Werribee Zoo
www.zoo.org.au/kids-visit-free/
National Gallery of Victoria
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/kids/
Melbourne Museum
www.museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/
Camps and excursions fund
Help with the cost of school camps and excursions.
www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
Transport
Free Rego for Victorian apprentices
Pay your Rego in smaller instalments
Elect to pay your registration in 3, 6 or 12 month instalments.
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/registration-fees/short-term-rego
Regional fares have been capped to the daily metropolitan rate:
www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/introducing-fairer-fares-for-regional-victorians/
Cheaper licence and online testing fees:
www.premier.vic.gov.au/free-ls-and-free-ps-deliver-big-savings-new-drivers
Housing
Helping more people get into their first home
The Victorian Homebuyer Fund supports people to enter home ownership. If you have a 5% deposit, we’ll chip in up to 25% of the purchase price for a share in the property - which you buy back over time, interest-free.
Keeping costs down for rate payers:
Council Rates have been capped at 2.75 per cent for 2024-25.
www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/our-programs/council-rates-and-charges
More security for renters
Rent increases have been limited to no more than once every 12 months.
www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-bond-bills-and-condition-reports/rent/rent-increases
Further education and training
Free degrees in Nursing:
www.health.vic.gov.au/nursing-and-midwifery/free-nursing-and-midwifery-study
Free degrees in Teaching:
www.vic.gov.au/scholarships-secondary-teaching-degrees
Free TAFE
Free TAFE for more than 70 courses in growth industries.
Health
Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCCs)
PPCCs provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres
The Community Pharmacy Pilot
This program lets pharmacies provide services like scripts for the pill without needing to see a GP.
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/community-pharmacist-pilot
Free Pads and Tampons in Public Buildings
Committed to providing free pads and tampons in vending machines located in public places across the state.
www.vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons-public-places
This information has been collated by the office of Daniela De Martino.
Contact the office on (03) 9754 5401 if you have any questions.
