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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Victorian budget 2025: Top things you need to know, sectors that were winners and losers
The 2025-26 Victorian state budget, delivered by Australian treasurer Jaclyn Symes , promises to deliver on 'what matters most' with sweeping investments in health, schools and public transport. Some sectors, however, are left out in the cold. Symes revealed a massive $11.1 billion boost to health, a $5 billion public transport blitz, and a landmark commitment to free travel for young Victorians, as per the Guardian. Here are the winners and losing sectors of the 2025-26 budget Winners School goers and senior citizens From 2026, all Victorians under 18 will be able to travel on public transport for free, using a new $5 youth Myki card. The $318 million program is expected to benefit over one million children and save families up to $755 per child each year. Alongside children, seniors will also enjoy free public transport on weekends. School-aged children will see an increase in support for camps, sports and excursions, with eligible students receiving $400, up from $154 for primary and $256 for high school students. More than 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers will be available for concession card holders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia alta? Pingue isso na água antes de dormir Saúde Melhor Idade Veja agora Undo Additionally, $1.5 billion has been allocated for new and expanded schools, and lower-income households will get a $100 energy rebate. Health sector The budget delivered a major $11.1 billion health funding boost, including $9.3 billion for hospitals and $634 million to open or upgrade nine hospitals across Victoria, among them Footscray, Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Phillip Island. Meanwhile, paramedics will receive $84 million in support, while emergency departments will benefit from $58 million aimed at cutting waiting times. A trial allowing pharmacists to treat UTIs and reissue contraceptives without a doctor's script will be expanded and made permanent. Pharmacists will now also be able to prescribe for allergies and high blood pressure. Travelling An almost $5 billion investment will see the Metro Tunnel "switch on" by the end of the year with $727 million committed, and $98.7 million will boost frequency on seven regional and metro train lines. Sunshine Station will receive a $4.1 billion upgrade as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project, while $1 billion will go towards fixing roads and potholes in a 'better road blitz'. However, a planned upgrade to Myki is $136.76 million over budget and running 18 months late. Businesses There are no new taxes on businesses this time, with the government committing hundreds of millions to boost business capacity and investment. This includes a $150 million Victorian investment fund, a third of which is reserved for regional areas, $4 million to develop entrepreneur skills, and $240 million tied to economic growth strategies, such as red tape reduction and workforce training support. Losers Public service Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the budget plans for 1,200 less full-time public servants, and that number could grow to around 3,000 after the government finishes its review of the public sector by 30 June. While Symes said these won't affect frontline services and are partly due to natural attrition, the cuts represent a significant downsizing of the bureaucracy. Homeowners Despite previous promises to help millennials into the housing market, there's no bold new housing vision in this year's budget. There's a modest $249 million joint spend with the federal government for infrastructure to support 4,000 new homes, and stamp duty concessions for off-the-plan homes are extended to October 2026 and expanded to more buyers. But Victoria's target of building 800,000 new homes by 2034 still feels out of reach. While the state is forecast to post a $600 million operating surplus in 2025-26, its first since the pandemic, the story lies in the $12.2 billion overall deficit once infrastructure spending is included. The government is sticking to its promise to keep net debt below 25% of state output, but the actual debt level continues to climb now forecast to hit $194 billion by 2029, well up from the $155.5 billion projected for mid-2024. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Health and cost-of-living help dominate budget
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Health and cost-of-living help dominate budget
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * $859 million to continue Free Kinder programs for an estimated 160,000 children * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Health and cost-of-living help dominate budget
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * $859 million to continue Free Kinder programs for an estimated 160,000 children * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING: * An extra $167 million for culturally-responsive and self-determined services in health, education and housing
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Victoria state budget 2025 winners and losers: families, health and public transport benefit as net debt climbs
The Victorian budget, in the words of the treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, was all about 'what matters most': big spending on free trains, trams and buses for 'every kid, everywhere'; billions more for hospitals; and a $5bn 'public transport blitz'. Here are the winners and losers. Families with school kids (and their grandparents) If you're Victorian and under 18, then from 2026 a new $5 youth Myki card will be your ticket to ride public transport – for free. In the 2025-26 budget there's $318m over four years so that every kid in Victoria – more than 1 million of them, the government says – will no longer have to pay when they catch a bus, tram or train. The policy will save parents up to $755 per kid in annual public travel costs. And the free travel will be for kids from all families, not just those on lower incomes. (There's also free public transport on the weekend for seniors.) There's $400 for eligible kids to help pay for camps, sports and excursion, an increase from the previous $154 for primary school kids, and $256 for high school students. There are more than 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for concession card holders. There's an extra $1.5bn to expand existing schools and build new ones. Lower income Victorian households will also get $100 towards off their energy bills. Health The Allan government has committed an extra $11.1bn to health, including $9.3bn boost for hospital funding. There's $634m to open and 'operationalise' nine new or upgraded hospitals right across Victoria, including opening the Footscray hospital and community hospitals Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Phillip Island. Included in the total additional funding, there's $84m for paramedics, and $58m to help emergency departments see patients sooner. A trial plan allowing pharmacists to offer a wider range of service – such as the resupply of contraceptive pills and treatment of urinary tract infections without the need for a doctor's script – will be made permanent and expanded. Pharmacists will now be able to prescribe medicines for other ailments, including allergies and high blood pressure. Commuters There's an almost $5bn public transport blitz, including $727m to 'switch on' Melbourne's Metro Tunnel, which is due to open by the end of the year. The budget also includes $98.7m to boost service frequency across seven metropolitan and regional train lines. But the big spending item is the $4.1bn to begin major works at Sunshine station, which the Melbourne Airport rail line will eventually travel through. There's also nearly $1bn in a 'better road blitz' to fix potholes and surfaces in 2025-26 alone. Businesses After being slugged with taxes, the treasurer made a point of saying their would be no new imposts on businesses, who have complained that they are copping the brunt of budget repair. This budget is distinctly more corporate sector friendly, with hundreds of millions of dollars over four years to 'help new businesses find new opportunities to expand and attract investment'. That includes mentoring and services to boost the capacity of small businesses and exporters. There's a $150m Victorian Investment Fund, a third of which will be dedicated to the regions, and $4m to help boost the capacity and skills of entrepreneurs. The budget also includes $240m to fund the government's economic growth statement, which includes measures to cut red tape and ease the regulatory burden on firms, and help train up workers. The public service The treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, announced the budget assumes 1,200 fewer full-time public servants, with the potential for that number to push towards 3,000 people once the government's review of the bureaucracy is completed by 30 June. Symes said that doesn't necessarily involve thousands of redundancies, as departments have already been trimming head counts by not replacing workers as they go. The job reductions are not supposed to come from frontline services. Would-be homeowners The premier, Jacinta Allan, in October said she would be the leader 'who got millennials into homes'. But there's no new, grand vision in this budget to address one of the country's major intergenerational issues – unaffordable housing. That's not to say there's nothing: there's an extra $249m – in partnership with the commonwealth – to pay for the infrastructure, like roads, sewerage and water, that the government says will facilitate an extra 4000 homes over four years. The stamp duty concession for off-the-plan homes will be extended to October 2026, and eligibility will be expanded beyond first home buyers and owner occupiers in a move aimed to boosting construction of new properties. Still, the 800,000 new homes by 2034 target does not look meaningfully closer. Budget boffins The country's self-appointed guardians of fiscal rectitude will find little to love in Victoria's 2025-26 budget, as the new treasurer pushed back fiscal repair to the never-never. Despite achieving the first 'operating surplus' since the Covid lockdowns – a skinny $600m in 2025-26. But after accounting for infrastructure spending, the cash bottomline is $12.2bn in the red in the next financial year, with deficits as far as the eye can see. The 'tough and difficult' fiscal measures under previous treasurer Tim Pallas have transformed into a big spending budget. The extra nearly $3bn in GST and commonwealth grants since the December budget update has been more than spent. The government says it will keep net debt as a share of the Victorian government from going beyond its 25% target, and that's what the forecasts show. But lowering the burden is a job that has surely been pushed beyond the next election, due in November 2026. Meanwhile, actual net debt levels continue to climb, at a faster pace than predicted in December, from an estimated $155.5bn by the middle of this year, to $194bn by June 2029.
