Three & Four-Year-Old Kinder

Free three and four-year-old kinder, saving families up to $2,500 per child each year. Learn about how your child can access Free Kinder, the benefits of kinder, and how to find and enroll in a kinder program that suits your family’s needs.

Baby Bundles

Baby bundles will be provided in hospitals at the time of birth and will contain key parenting information and resources to support the health, development and wellbeing of the babies.

NURSE-ON-CALL

Call 1300 60 60 24 for immediate, confidential expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Community Pharmacist Pilot

The 12-month pilot in Victoria from October 2023 to October 2024 allows people to receive some treatments at a local pharmacy without needing to see a doctor to get a prescription.

Early Parenting Centres

Early Parenting Centres (EPCs) are a free primary health service. They provide specialist support for Victorian families with children from birth to 4 years and deliver flexible, targeted services that aim to enhance the parent-child relationship,

Priority Primary Care Centres

Priority Primary Care Centres provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response. The centres help Victorians who need urgent care get help faster, while keeping our busy emergency departments free for those in critical, life-threatening situations.

Prep Bags

Each Prep student attending a Victorian government school will receive a Prep bag to celebrate this milestone in their education journey. The bags are filled with engaging learning items and information for parents and carers to help families have a great start to the year.

Get Active: Kids Voucher Program

Eligible children may receive up to $200 to cover the costs for membership and registration fees. Applications will open in Spring 2024.

School Breakfast Clubs program

The Victorian Government has committed a further $21.1 million in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 to expand the School Breakfast Clubs program 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. Families don’t need to order a Kit – your kindergarten service 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 such as travel passes 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 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/

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.

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. Smile Squad helps students stay engaged in school and ready to learn.

Free sanitary pads and tampons in all government schools

Free pads and tampons are now available in every government school in Victoria – because being able to access sanitary products shouldn’t be a barrier to students getting the most out of their education.

Free TAFE

There are over 80 free TAFE courses for you to consider to up-skill and find your next job.

Jobs Victoria

Get personalised support in looking for work through jobs Victoria.

Free Nursing & Midwifery Degrees

Through the Victorian Government you can get a free nursing degree.

Free Secondary Teaching Degrees

Through the Victorian Government you can get a free secondary teaching degree.

Women in Security Program 2024-2025

The Women in Security Program is an initiative to increase the number of women in technical cybersecurity and cybersecurity leadership roles across Victoria. Through comprehensive training, certification opportunities, and personalized mentorship, we will provide 90 ambitious women in Victoria with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in cybersecurity roles.

Coming Soon: Specialist Women’s Health Clinics

The first 5 of 20 comprehensive women’s health clinics will open soon allowing Victorian women to have access to free and comprehensive care and support including gynecologist, urologists, specialist nursing, etc.

GenWest

GenWest is an organisation helping people who are experiencing family violence. They also have a range of resources available on their website on sexual and reproductive health, family violence support, community health and wellbeing, and gender equity.

If you would like to speak to a staff at GenWest, please call 1800 436 937.

Free Pads and Tampons in up to 700 public places

The Victorian Government has committed to providing free pads and tampons in vending machines located in public places across the state. These locations will include public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, staffed train stations and major cultural institutions like Melbourne Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health

The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health is a non-for-profit organisation that advocates and educates to strengthen the health, wellbeing, safety, and leadership of migrant and refugee women in Australia.

This organisation is open Monday to Friday and can be contacted on (03) 9418 0999.

Concessions and Discounts for Veterans

Find Victorian Government concessions and discounts available to veterans, and their families or carers. This includes discounts through the Veterans Card – Victoria.

Care Finders

A free support service that supports vulnerable older Australians to access aged care services.

Better Health Channel & Help At Home

Provides a range of resources to assist seniors to live at home for as long as possible. Additional resources here.

Ageing and Aged Care

A range of supports and services offered by the Victorian Government.

Brimbank City Council

Services offered by the Brimbank City Council for seniors.

Maribyrnong City Council

Services offered by Maribyrnong 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

Call 1300 60 60 24 for immediate, confidential expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Services Australia

Through the Commonwealth Government’s Services Australia website a range of services and supports including the Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, Mobility Allowance, and more can be accessed.

Wyndham City Council

Services offered by the Wyndham City Council for seniors.

Hobson Bay City Council

Services offered by Hobson Bay City Council including disability and other supports.

Coming Soon: Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria

A one-stop shop for renters, agents and landlords to resolve tenancy disputes over rent, damages, repairs and bonds

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 enter into rental agreements for 5 or more years for added security and stability.

Rental Stress Support Package

The Government has provided $8 Million of additional funding for local organisations who provide essential supports for those facing rental stress including:

Anglicare Victoria | Housing for the Aged Action Group (Haag) | Justice Connect | Tenants Victoria

Coming Soon: Portable Bond Scheme

The new scheme will allow renters to transfer their bond between properties.

Rental Bidding

The Government is cracking down through a new renting taskforce on landlords who use rental bidding to drive up rental prices.

Homebuyer Fund

A shared home equity scheme making it easier for prospective home buyers. As little as 5% is needed for a 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 tapered reaching up to $750k.

Stamp Duty – Off the Plan Purchases

If you buy off the plan,you only pay stamp duty on the land the property is sitting on.

First Home Owner Grant

A $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is available when you buy or build your first new home.

Land Tax on Vacant Residential Properties

Helping to free up opportunities for first home buyers.

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 removalists/storage costs.

Utility Relief Grant Scheme – $650 Payment

A $650 payment for bills every two years (Payment will be provided to the company).

Catholic Care – Hobson Bay

Support for people, such as supermarket and fuel vouchers.

Call: (03) 9689 3888 | Web: www.ccam.org.au

Anglicare Victoria

Can provide financial counselling, emergency relief and other services

Address 36 Electra St, Williamstown 3016 Call 0458 750 717 | Web: www.anglicarevic.org.au/

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

800 305 330 |Web: www.vinnies.org.au/findhelp#!vic

The Salvation Army – Thrift Shop

Vouchers may be available for seasonal goods.

84 Synnot St, Werribee | Call (03) 9742 5097

Melbourne City Mission – Adult and Familiy

Range of support services focused on achieving stable, secure and appropriate housing.

1/8 Watton St, Werribee | Call: 3 9385 3200

Salvation Army – Altona

Vouchers, hampers, and financial counselling.

Call: (03) 9398 1750 | Web: www.salvationarmy.org.au/
need-help/

Outlets Cooperative Neighbourhood House, Newport

• Material Aid: Wednesday 10:30am – 12:30pm (during school terms)
• Emergency Relief: Wednesday 10:30am – 12:30pm

Address: 43 Mason St, Newport 3015
Phone: (03) 9391 8504
Email: outlets@outletsco-op.com.au
Website: http://www.outletsco-op.com.au/

Yarraville Community Centre

• Pop up Food Relief Market: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
• Food Pantry: Open 24 hours

Address: 59 Francis St, Yarraville 3013
Phone: (03) 9687 1560
Email: info@ycc.net.au or yarracc@ycc.net.au
Website: https://www.ycc.net.au/

Latitude Housing:

A state government funded housing organisation that specifically focuses on supporting people in Melbourne’s West.

Phone: 9315 0061
Website: http://www.latitude.asn.au/
Address: 2 Somers Parade, Altona 3018

Wombat Housing Support Services:

A small community-based agency that focuses on supporting people in Melbourne’s Inner West. Wombat supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in and around Melbourne’s West.

Phone: 1800 887 775
Email: wombat@wombat.org.au
Website: https://www.wombat.org.au/
Address: 191 Melrose Street, North Melbourne 3051

Victorian Social & Community Housing

This is housing provided by the Victorian Government.

Applications can be submitted online here.

For any further assistance please contact our office.

Women’s Housing Ltd

Provides low costs housing to women at risk of homelessness.

Call: 9412 6868 | Web: womenshousing.com.au

Unison Housing

This is a provider of short-term, emergency and transitional housing.

Services: Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong

Email: info@unison.org.au
Tel (Footscray): (03) 9688 8300

Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) – Homelessness assistance

Seddon: (03) 9689 2777
Werribee: (03) 9216 0300

Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)

Can provide assistance and emergency housing services for those aged 50+.

Call 1300 765 178 | Web: oldertenants.org.au

Melbourne City Mission – Youth

Provides long or short term accommodation and other personal supports including education, training and employment.

Call: 03 9614 3688

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.

WEstjustice

Provides free legal help to people in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Call: 03 9749 7720

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, focusing on criminal law, family law and some civil law matters.

Victoria Legal Aid also provides education to help build knowledge in the community about legal rights and responsibilities.

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 (CAV)

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) provides a range of information and advice services to support consumers to exercise their rights and regulated businesses, professionals and organizations to 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).

Jobseeker Payment

Australians who find themselves unemployed can apply for Jobseeker payments, which will provide them with a fortnightly payment between $762.70 for a single person with no children to a maximum of $987.70 for an exempted carer.

You can apply for this payment 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.