Victorian fuel cost relief measures take effect

Sydney (2 June)

The Victorian Government has launched previously announced vehicle registration rebate and public transport subsidisation schemes to address fuel cost pressures for households, it said on 1 June.

Victorian motorists can apply for 20% cash rebates on light vehicle registration costs from the 2025-26 financial year until the end of July, the Government said. They can claim up to A$186 per registered car, for up to two personal cars, it added.

Transport Victoria has also cut most public transport fares in the state by 50% for a year, the Government said. The discount – which stacks onto existing concessions – applies to all train, tram, bus, and regional coach services, Transport Victoria said on 22 May.

The Victorian Government announced A$2.5 billion worth of cost-of-living measures in its 2026-27 Budget, partly because of the US-Israeli war in Iran.

“Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East is resulting in higher prices at the fuel pump, putting Victorians under more pressure,” Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said at the time. “This Budget acknowledges the real challenges Victorians are facing,” Symes added.

Retail petrol prices in Melbourne averaged A$1.86/litre on 27 May, down from A$2.59/litre on 31 March, but up from A$1.76/litre on 20 February, before the US-Israeli war in Iran began, data from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission show.

Brent crude futures traded at $97.54/barrel (A$97.54) on 1 June, down from a recent high of $112.10/barrel on 18 May because of indirect peace talks between Iran and the US.

But this could soon change. Iran has halted all peace talks with the US because of Israeli bombing campaigns in Lebanon, according to Iranian state-linked news outlets.