The Victorian Government passed down its 2026-27 budget on Tuesday, May 5.

Here are just some of the key take-outs that will be interesting and matter to people in the region.

Public transport

The government is investing $481 million in regional transport services.

This includes a $29.8 million investment to deliver nine return services between Shepparton and Melbourne every day.

Also, after the current two-month free public transport period finishes at the end of May, public transport throughout Victoria will be half price until the end of the year.

It will remain free for those aged under 18.

Vehicle registration

The government has invested $758.6 million to slash car registrations by 20 per cent.

Currently, motorists are spending up to $930.70 every year on a car registration.

This measure will put up to $186 back in people’s pockets.

Petrol prices

A daily cap has been introduced for maximum fuel prices.

Mandatory reporting of fuel prices has also been set up on the Servo Saver feature on the Services Victoria app.

Health

Goulburn Valley Health will receive $7.1 million for a new PET scanner.

Education

The Shepparton Education Plan will receive $1.2 million to continue to provide engagement wellbeing services and post-secondary pathways at Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

This helps connect students and their families with community-focused support.

The Education Benalla Program has also received funding to help students find jobs in in-demand industries.

The government is continuing to fund high intensity outside-of-school-hours care for children with disabilities at 35 specialist schools, including Banmira Specialist School in Shepparton.

The budget also delivers more free TAFE places and funding is expected for 15,000 students to study for free next year.

Yarrawonga College P-12 will receive $8.9 million for upgrades.

Sport

The Rochester Aquatic Facility will receive $3.95 million for a new pool for Rochester – to replace the one damaged in the 2022 floods.

There is also $480,000 to support the five Basketball High Performance Hubs in Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon.

Farming

The budget will invest $84 million in support for Victoria’s farmers and agricultural industries.

That includes $62 million provided in response to the January 2026 bushfires for primary producers and agricultural sectors, including through primary producer grants, concessional loans and emergency fodder support.

Fire recovery

Victorians devastated by this summer’s fires are being supported with more than $400 million, in partnership with the Commonwealth, to clean up, recover and rebuild.

Finance

This budget invests $1.8 million to continue the work of the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which offers free help to farmers and families who are doing it tough, helping them to get their finances back on track.

Emergencies

The budget includes $101.9 million to upgrade Triple Zero Victoria’s telephone infrastructure to meet demand.

Of that, $9.7 million will improve how Triple Zero Victoria calls are triaged, reviewed and classified – ensuring the most time critical emergencies get an ambulance immediately.

A further $2 million will ensure Ambulance Victoria’s clinical triage team can continue to support frequent 000 callers by making sure they are getting care that meets their needs while freeing up call takers to respond to incoming calls.

An extra $28.6 million will continue to boost the service to help Victorians who don’t need an ambulance connect with the right care.

Housing

A new $860 million investment in the Social Housing Growth Fund will deliver more than 7000 social housing homes for Victorians who need them most.

More than $15 million will also help five supportive housing sites in Shepparton, Seddon, Melbourne, St Kilda and Mildura.

For help with up-front costs for home buyers, stamp duty concessions for buying off-the-plan units, townhouses and apartments have been extended to April 21, 2027.

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