Help with the Cost of Living
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 Lauren Kathage MP.
Bills and Food
Local charities can offer support:
Wallan Gateway Church Food Bank
https://www.wallangateway.org.au/careworx-community-foodbank-wallan/
0491 075 404 (SMS)
Big Group Hug
Uniting Financial Counselling
www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/money-matters-financial-counselling/financial-counselling/
1800 658 682
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
(Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander)
9287 8800
Keeping costs low for energy bills:
The Victorian Default Offer guarantees the lowest price available on electricity.
https://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.
https://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.
https://www.water.vic.gov.au/for-households/help-paying-your-bills
Putting power in your hands:
The State Electricity Commision (SEC) is officially back.
https://www.secvictoria.com.au/
Helping you save on solar:
Rebates and interest free loans are available for installing solar panels.
https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate
Rebates for installing solar batteries:
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.
https://service.vic.gov.au/services/savings-finder/
Discounts on rego, licenses, and transport for veterans:
https://service.vic.gov.au/services/veterans-card-victoria
Support for Workers
Guaranteed sick pay is available for casual employees who cannot go to work.
Families & Education
Free three and four-year-old kinder, saving families up to $2,500 per child each year.
https://www.vic.gov.au/sending-child-kinder
Discounts for school uniforms, shoes, and books
https://www.vic.gov.au/help-school-costs-and-fees
Up to $200 towards the cost of kids’ sports needs.
https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/vouchers/
Priority Primary Care Centres (PPCCs) provide free care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/priority-primary-care-centres
The Community Pharmacy Pilot lets pharmacies provide services like pill scripts without needing to see a GP.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/community-pharmacist-pilot
Free dental care at government primary schools
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad
Free vision screening and glasses for kids in primary school.
https://www.vic.gov.au/glasses-for-kids
Free breakfasts and lunches at school.
https://www.vic.gov.au/school-breakfast-clubs-program.
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 visits for kids on weekends and during school holidays
- Melbourne, Healesville, and Werribee Zoo: Kids visit free (zoo.org.au)
- National Gallery of Victoria: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/kids/
- Melbourne Museum https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/
Help with the cost of school camps and excursions.
https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
Transport
Free Rego for Victorian apprentices:
Pay your Rego in smaller instalments:
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/registration-fees/short-term-rego
Regional fares have been capped to the daily metropolitan rate:
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/introducing-fairer-fares-for-regional-victorians/
Cheaper licence and online testing fees:
premier.vic.gov.au/free-ls-and-free-ps-deliver-big-savings-new-drivers
Housing
