Whether that’s backing the things that bring Victorians together – from sport to creativity – or helping more Victorians feel connected, respected and valued.
This Budget invests in the people and projects that make our state great.
The Creative Capital
Victoria is our nation’s Creative Capital – renowned for our incredible artists, performers and creators.
We’ve invested in this creativity – cementing our state’s reputation and supporting Victorian jobs. This includes:
- Support for 10,000 gigs, getting more artists back on stage with grants for live music venues to book musicians to perform.
- Funding infrastructure improvements to provide accessible workspaces for Victorian creative organisations and artists.
- Offering grants programs like Music Works and Creative Ventures to support capacity building and skills development for creatives.
In this Budget, we are continuing to invest in creativity – and the jobs it supports – with:
- $128 million to support Victoria’s galleries, museums and performance venues, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, the State Library of Victoria, Museums Victoria and ACMI.
- $6.5 million to deliver a Victorian Festivals Package to support creative festivals and events.
- $5 million to deliver the Victorian Screen Rebate to support investment in local screen and digital games projects.
- $4.5 million to keep contributing to the National Performing Arts Partnerships Framework to support Victorian-based arts organisations.
- $1 million to continue the Music Works program. More than 800 music projects have been supported through the program since it was launched in 2015, ensuring local artists and collectives have the tools and skills they need.
Investing in Victoria’s diversity
Our multicultural and multifaith communities make an incredibly important contribution to our state, and Victorians are proud of our diversity.
Migrants aren’t just a part of our history – they helped build our state. And new generations will continue to shape it.
This Budget invests $52 million to support the strength of our multicultural communities. That includes $5 million to support the social and economic wellbeing of Victorians with African heritage. Funding will help jobseekers find work, support community organisations to deliver culturally appropriate outreach, and support the Victorian African Communities Committee.
An additional $11 million will increase funding for our state’s community language schools, while a further $3.9 million will help meet demand for interpreting and translating services in our schools and early childhood facilities.
We are also investing $4.4 million to provide early support for newly arrived migrants to help them connect to their new home and to fund legal help for refugees, asylum seekers and temporary visa holders.
And because there is no place for discrimination, antisemitism or Islamophobia in Victoria, we are providing $6 million to faith-based non-government schools for additional security upgrades to help communities feel safe.
Building a fairer state for women and girls
Your gender should not determine your choices in life – your education and career opportunities, your financial security or how you are treated when you are sick. The Victorian Government is driving change to make the world a fairer place for women and girls, starting in Victoria.
We are delivering landmark reforms to women’s health – making sure women’s pain is believed and relieved. We’re making sure more women have the choice to re-enter the workforce after having children, with Free Kinder delivering more affordable early childhood education and care.
This Budget continues to make significant investments in women’s health, safety and economic security.
In 2021 we became the first state to introduce gender responsive budgeting. Now, every year, we analyse how the Government’s Budget investment decisions will support and benefit women and girls.
A comprehensive overview of these investments can be found in our Gender Equality Budget Statement.
A more equal state
In Victoria, equality is not negotiable. LGBTIQA+ Victorians are supported and celebrated for who they are.
From adoption equality through to ending so-called conversion therapy – we are proud to stand with LGBTIQA+ communities every day.
This Budget continues that commitment, with $9.6 million for targeted support to improve outcomes for Victorian LGBTIQA+ people, their families and communities.
This includes ensuring access to trans and gender diverse health services and continued specialist legal assistance for LGBTIQA+ communities.
Support for our veterans
Veterans have given so much for Victoria and Australia – and they deserve our ongoing recognition and appreciation.
This Budget provides $4.9 million to back Victoria’s veterans, including through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program.
This funding supports not-for-profit organisations that work with our veteran community, enabling them to build and improve their facilities and spaces.
Backing community sport
Sport keeps communities connected. Whether it’s the littlest players starting out at Auskick, netball teams facing off after work, or weekend cricket – sport brings us together and keeps us active.
With this Budget, we are investing $18 million to build and upgrade community sport infrastructure and create more opportunities for Victorians to get involved in sport and active recreation. Funding in this Budget includes:
- $8 million to deliver more sports and recreation facilities across Victoria through community sports grants.
- $5 million to build pavilions, sports fields, courts, play spaces and skate parks where they are needed most.
- $4.2 million to upgrade community football and netball facilities in rural, regional and outer metro areas, including ovals, courts, lighting and change rooms.
- $300,000 to continue the Basketball Hubs program.
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