Victorian State Budget 2018-19

The Andrews Labor Government today announced a record $705 million investment in mental health support, extra regional rehabilitation facilities and new emergency department crisis hubs.

The budget also commits an additional $42.5 million on top of last year’s $1.9 billion investment to address family violence, as well as $172 million towards free TAFE courses for 30,000 students in skills shortage areas.

“I am pleased to see the State Government take a proactive approach to addressing many of the social issues which lead to homelessness and social disadvantage such as family violence, mental ill-health and unemployment,” CEO Cathy Humphrey says.

“We recognise this Budget delivers the Victorian Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy, announced in January 2018, which aims to get more people housed quickly. We also acknowledge last year’s Budget delivered significant housing investment.

“However there is more work to be done to produce growth in social housing, specifically because the number of social housing dwellings in Victoria is projected to fall in the coming financial year.

“As more and more people become locked out of the private housing market, we would like to see State Government respond with an increased provision of affordable housing as well as a meaningful plan on housing affordability and homelessness in next week’s Federal Government Budget.”