Opinion & Perspectives
7 June, 2026
Get help with rego rebate when MP comes to town
"I’ll also be in St Arnaud in a few weeks to help locals apply in person. If you’d like to book a time, please contact my office or email me at martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au."
By MARTHA HAYLETT
THE cost of living continues to put pressure on households across Victoria, and for many families every dollar genuinely counts.
That’s why the State Labor Government’s new 20 per cent car registration rebate - available from this week until July 31 - is not just welcome news.
It’s meaningful, practical relief for the people who need it most.
For country Victorians, a car isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Whether it’s getting to work, taking kids to school and sport, travelling for medical appointments, or simply moving between towns, we rely on our cars every day. This rebate recognises that reality.
Victorian drivers can now apply to receive 20 per cent back on their rego for up to two vehicles — saving up to $186 per vehicle, or almost $400 for two.
It applies to cars, utes, vans, motorcycles, and other light vehicles under 4.5 tonnes, making sure support reaches the families, farmers, tradies, and small business owners who keep our rural communities running.
Applying is simple: visit the Service Victoria website or app with your registration number, driver licence number, and bank details.
And if you need help, my office is here to make the process easy. You can drop in at 177 High Street, Maryborough, or call us on 5461 1255. The statewide assistance line is also available on 132 842.
I’ll also be in St Arnaud in a few weeks to help locals apply in person. If you’d like to book a time, please contact my office or email me at martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au.
Importantly, this rebate is just one part of a broader package of cost‑of‑living support delivered in the recent State Budget.
Free breakfast programs in schools, free kinder, and an expanded free glasses program for primary students are easing pressure on parents.
From October, households will also be able to access three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day, every day - a simple change that could save up to $300 a year by running appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers during the free period.
The Budget also delivered a landmark $2.2 billion investment in disability support across our schools, including right here in the Northern Grampians Shire.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and this funding will help make sure students with disability get the support they need, no matter where they live.
We’ve expanded the Get Active Kids Vouchers program too, giving families $200 to help cover the cost of sports enrolments and equipment. And additional support for the Affordable School Uniforms Program will save families an average of $93 per child.
For our farming communities, continued funding for programs like the Victorian Fox Bounty means ongoing support to manage invasive pests that threaten their livestock.
Taken together, these measures reflect a simple principle: every Victorian deserves support - whether they live in a rural town or in the suburbs.
No single measure can solve every challenge families are facing. But putting some money back into people’s pockets, while continuing to invest in our schools, healthcare and community services, makes a real and immediate difference. And for communities like ours, that difference matters.
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