The Allan Labor Government is helping keep more money in Victorian pockets, with important new laws to set up Victoria's Portable Rental Bonds scheme, and the next phase of our Fair Fuel Plan, passing parliament.
The successful passage of the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 through parliament today means the Portable Rental Bonds Scheme will launch next year, allowing eligible renters to transfer their existing bond directly to their new rental property.
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority currently holds more than 737,000 bonds and this new scheme will ease the cost of moving by removing the financial burden of paying a second bond before the first one is refunded.
The simple online process is a win--win for renters and rental providers as the government will guarantee the existing bond amount for the original rental provider. The guarantee remains in place until the original tenancy agreement is finalised and the standard bond claim process is complete.
If a rental provider's claim for a bond is successful, the renter will owe the money not to the rental provider but to the government and will need to pay it back as a single payment or in stages through an agreed payment plan.
As well as relief for renters, the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 also includes cost of living support for motorists, with Phase 2 of Servo Saver now enshrined in legislation.
Launched last month on the Service Victoria app, Servo Saver is already saving Victorian motorists up to $333 a year at the pump by requiring fuel retailers to report price changes in real time - putting money back in drivers' pockets and helping to alleviate cost of living pressures.
The next phase of the Fair Fuel Plan requires fuel retailers to set a maximum fuel price for the following day. For 24 hours retailers can only lower prices, not increase them. This means people will be able to check their local area for which service station is offering the best price throughout the next day
The Labor Government is focused on helping Victorians with cost-of-living pressures and these initiatives build on the $100 power saving bonus and free public transport from next year for children, and seniors on weekends.
As stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos
"Most renters don't just have a spare few thousand dollars lying around to cover the unnecessary cost of a double bond and we are proud to take the next step to help get rid of this problem."
As stated by Minister for Government Services Natalie Hutchins
"Servo Saver is designed to enable motorists to make informed decisions about where to fill up - this next phase will improve Servo Saver and ensure Victorians are getting the best deal possible at the petrol pump.
