Massive government rebates, discounts Victorians can claim

From council rates and utility bills to educational costs — here are some rebates and discounts Victorians can get right now to save thousands of dollars. See the full list.

Victorians can make their money stretch further with support from the state government.

A host of rebates and concessions are available to help cover the cost of utilities, council rates, vehicle registration and educational costs – to name a few.

These savings could add up to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, for people who are eligible.

See the list below for how you can save on day-to-day living expenses.

Energy & utilities

A one-off $250 Power Saving Bonus, which was announced as part of the state budget in May. The payment will be available to households who use the Victorian Energy Compare website or helpline to seek a better electricity deal.

An annual electricity concession can help eligible people save 17.5 per cent on usage and service costs. It does not apply to the first $171.60 of the annual bill. People can apply through their electricity retailer. Households with electricity bills in excess of $3000 a year may be eligible for the Excess Energy Concession.

Eligible people could also apply for a 13 per cent discount on their controlled load electricity costs. These load charges are usually separately metered electricity for electric hot water or slab heating.

Some concession cardholders can also apply to have the electricity service charges reduced if they exceed the usage costs.

Moving house? People may be able to get the transfer service fee waived by their electricity retailer.

Victorians can get a one-off $250 payment to help cover power bills. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Households a with excess gas charges during winter may be eligible for a discount of 17.5 per cent if bill is more than $1736 in the period of May 1 to October 31. There is also a winter gas concession of 17.5 per cent available for usage and service charges up to the value of $1736. Conditions apply. The standard winter gas concession does not apply to the first $62.40 of the six-month period of bills.

Not on mains supply? Not to worry, there are rebates available for eligible households to help cover costs associated with purchasing liquefied petroleum gas (LGP), firewood, heating oil, generator fuel or electricity via an embedded network for domestic purposes. The rebates range from $53 to $604, depending on the overall spend each year.

Residents experiencing unexpected hardship may be able to apply for the utility relief grant scheme, which will cover overdue bills up to the value of $650 on each utility in a two-year period. You can apply for separate grants for each utility and if only on a single source, such as electricity, the value increases to a total of $1300 for the same period. You need to apply through your utility provider and there are strict criteria.

Residents experiencing unexpected hardship may be able to apply for the utility relief grant scheme, which will cover overdue bills up to the value of $650 on each utility in a two-year period.

Rebates and discounts on water costs are available for eligible Victorians. Low-income earners who do not have mains water supply may be able to claim up a rebate up to $396, depending on the total bill of buying alternative water. Eligible concession card holders on mains supply can have up to 50 per cent on their bills, to a maximum of $354.10 (water and sewerage charges combined) or $177.05 (just water charges).

Residents may be eligible for an allowance that helps cover the cost of home phone and internet service.

Education

Young children may be eligible to for a subsidy to attend a kindergarten program for 15 hours a week. Conditions apply.

More than 22,000 students a year may be able to get financial support to attend school camps, school-organised sports and outdoor education programs through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund. A payment of $125 for year is available for eligible primary school student, while secondary students is $225 a year – paid directly to the school.

More than 22,000 students will be supported financially to participate in sport.

Concessions are available for people studying full-time or short courses through the Centre for Adult Education. The level of concessions on fees depends on the course. Similar concessions on enrolment fees may be available for TAFE students, depending on the course.

Eligible school students who live more than 4.8km from the nearest school and do not have access to the free bus service can get support to cover the cost of travel. Conditions apply.

Health

Emergency ambulance transport is free for some concession cardholders.

Free or affordable dental care through Dental Health Service Victoria also available. Conditions apply.

People with specific medical needs may be able to get a discount on utility bills to help cover costs of using a life support machine at home or medically-required cooling.

For costs associated with cooling, eligible people can claim a discount of 17.5 per cent of usage and service fees between November 1 and April 30, which is in addition to the annual concession.

People with specific medical needs may be able to get a discount on utility bills to help cover costs of using a life support machine, such as a dialysis. Picture: Brendan Radke

Life support concession applies to domestic electricity costs up to 1880 kilowatt hours a year (470KWh a quarter) and water accounts for haemodialysis up to 168 kilolitres a year (42Kl a quarter) to help run the machine. Conditions apply and it needs to be verified by a relevant medical professional. The federally-funded Essential Medical Equipment Payment, may also help cover associated energy expenses.

The Victorian Eyecare Service helps disadvantaged people access affordable eye care and visual aids. Contact the Australian College of Optometry, which manages the service, to see if you are eligible. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people may be able to access extra supports through the Victorian Aboriginal Spectacle subsidy scheme.

Free hearing checks and aids are available for eligible residents, through the Australian Government Department of Health.

Residents who need to travel more than 100km for specialist medical treatment may be about to receive support for travel and accommodation expenses under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.

Transport

Those with permanent or severe disabilities can receive a 50 per cent discount on taxi and Uber fares, up to the value of $60 a trip, under the Multi Purpose Taxi Program. There are annual limits and you must apply through Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria.

Others may be able to save 50 per cent on the registration of their car, as well as on their Transport Accident Commission insurance changes.

Pensioners can get a free travel voucher each year, which can be exchanged for a single day pass for metropolitan Melbourne services or a return V/Line ticket. Seniors Card holders can also get free public transport travel on Saturdays and Sundays within two consecutive zones.

Housing

Low income earners may be eligible to a discount of up to 50 per cent on council rates, up to $253.20 for the 2022-23 financial year. Some Veterans’ Affairs Gold Cards holders may also be eligible for a discount through the Victorian Government.

Concession card holders may be able to get a full or partial exemption on the cost of stamp duty. Conditions apply.

Renters may be able to get help with bond loans through the Housing Establishment Fund, which jointly funded by the Victorian and Federal Government, under the National Affordable Housing Agreement.

Originally published as Massive government rebates, discounts Victorians can claim