2021-22 Victorian State Budget

The 2021-22 Victorian State Budget has been tabled in parliament by the Treasurer, Tim Pallas MP.

The budget provides projections of government revenue and expenditure for the following year, and outlines services to be delivered.

Here is a snapshot of some of the budget highlights for DJPR:

• $288.3 million investment in Victoria's creative industries and jobs. This includes a $167.7 million Creative State funding package to support the recovery of the sector and reassert Victoria's position as the creative state; and a record $120.7 million to supercharge Victoria's screen industry, strengthen screen businesses and bring local content to screens worldwide.
• $179.4 million over three years to support stage one of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct development at the former General Motors Holden site. This will cover site remediation, road and infrastructure upgrades, and the services and amenities critical to creating an investment-ready precinct.
• $70.6 million to support more community sporting clubs, better local sports facilities and the opportunity for women and girls to take it to the next level. The investment will level the playing field, deliver accessible sports infrastructure and continue funding for the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.
• Building on the Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan, Visit Victoria will benefit from $55 million across two years, while Victoria's Business Events Program will receive $42.9 million over four years to acquire new opportunities.
• $50.9 million over four years to continue rolling out the Global Education Network and Study Melbourne Hubs, promoting Victoria as a study partner in growing regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa, and to continue to support Victoria's international students through the Study Melbourne Student Centre and professional development opportunities.
• $50 million for the Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) to continue to deliver critical local infrastructure projects and community facilities that support economic participation and recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic across Melbourne's interface councils and regional Victoria's peri-urban shires, which are experiencing population growth and changing demographics. Since 2015 the GSF has provided more than $325 million towards 253 projects, creating more than 8880 jobs.
• $68.8 million for health-related research headlined by $50 million to establish mRNA vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing capabilities in Melbourne to fight COVID-19 and other viruses.
• $46.4 million to strengthen, grow and protect the agriculture sector so it continues to be a cornerstone of Victoria's economy.
• $40.6 million over four years to leverage government spending to create local jobs and maximise local content. Central to this investment is the Local Jobs First policy, which ensures opportunities for Victorian businesses to compete for both large and small government contracts, creating tens of thousands of jobs and kickstarting the careers of thousands of apprentices, trainees and cadets through the Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
• $40.2 million to grow local economies and jobs across the state, with dedicated support for projects and programs that make our regional communities even better places to live, work and invest.
• $35.7 million to ensure Victoria's minerals, quarry and gas sectors continue to grow, by supporting timely regulatory approvals and better identification of future resources.
• $24.5 million over three years in athlete and education training services at the Victorian Institute of Sport and regional academies of sport.
• $23.5 million to provide more opportunities for Victorians to participate in our economy, with targeted support for people facing barriers to employment. This investment in economic participation will ensure the benefits of our state's recovery are shared with individuals and communities throughout the state as we support Victorians back to work.
• Almost $11 million for the Metropolitan Partnerships to continue to bring together local voices in the community, business, and government. The program involves local representatives from six partnership regions.
• $4.1 million to deliver Harness Racing Victoria's 2026 Strategy, which will increase participation, reduce barriers to entry and build on the industry's strong regional presence.