The wait is finally over for almost 65,000 VCE and VCAL students across Victoria, with the release of results and Australian Tertiary Admission Rankings (ATAR) this morning.

Minister for Education James Merlino today celebrated students’ results and achievements – completing their final years of schooling amidst the challenges of a global pandemic and remote learning.
This year, 50,723 students will graduate with their VCE – a completion rate of 98 per cent of students, while another 14,066 students will receive their VCAL. VCE results are available for students who registered to access their results online via the joint results website from 7:00am today.
Victoria’s top-performing VCE students were recognised for their outstanding academic achievements, with 13,935 students receiving at least one study score of 40 or more out of 50. The 40+ high achievers list will be released on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website from 12:05am on Friday, 17 December.
The release of VCE and VCAL results and ATARs means Year 12 students can plan their next step – whether it’s university study, TAFE or further training, or getting straight into the workforce.
In recognition of the unique – and in many cases profound – impact coronavirus has had on schools and individual VCE students across Victoria, the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage process has run as it did in 2020, making sure the only thing that counts towards students’ scores is their effort and hard work.
Students were also able to submit a Student Statement to be taken into account during this process, outlining the individual impact the pandemic has had on their physical or mental health and their VCE studies.
Special consideration was also available for final year VCAL students, with each school making a balanced judgement about the level of impact on each student and adjusting assessment activities or marks to reflect this.
Students are reminded that while their scores are a reflection of two years of hard work, their marks don’t define them – there are many pathways and opportunities to achieve their goals, no matter how challenging their final years of school have been.
The State Government has delivered unprecedented support for students and school communities throughout the pandemic – with $480 million to deliver the Tutor Learning Initiative in 2021 and 2022, ensuring students from Prep to Year 12 have the individual support they need to catch up on their learning.
Every government secondary school student in Victoria now also has access to vital mental health support at school, with the rollout of the Labor Government’s $51.2 million Mental Health Practitioners program now complete a year earlier than planned – making sure students have the support they need as the state emerges from the pandemic.
Minister for Education James Merlino siad:
“VCE and VCAL graduates are impressive every year – but the Class of 2021, completing their final years of school during a global pandemic, are particularly inspiring. Congratulations to every single student right across Victoria.”
“I thank teachers, school staff and families, whose support through the last two, difficult years has played a huge role in the success of this year’s VCE and VCAL students.”
“Whether it’s a university course, TAFE, an apprenticeship or getting straight into the workforce, I wish our Year 12s the very best with whatever comes next after a fun and relaxing summer break.”

The Victorian Seniors Festival theme ‘Keep’n On’, recognised the resilience of senior Victorians.

As part of this year’s celebrations Macedon Ranges community members were asked to nominate older people they believed demonstrated active ageing or promoted a positive image of older people.
Council honoured a number of local seniors with the presentation of a ‘celebration box’ containing a selection of delicious goodies from local businesses.
Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson congratulated all the successful nominees who have made significant and diverse contributions to the local community during challenging times, regularly pitching in and helping where it was needed.
Some of the ‘celebration box’ recipients included:
 Marj and Ray Williams, President and Secretary of Kyneton Senior Citizens Club, said they felt very humbled to receive their box. We were told that ‘together they keep the club running and during COVID have implemented a range of strategies to help keep in touch with members’.
 Ken Rose was recognised for his work driving people to and from their medical appointments during the COVID pandemic. Ken volunteers ‘because I enjoy it, not because I want a reward’.
 As President of the RM Begg Auxiliary, Rosemary Bain helped to raise $27,000 last year for the aged care facility through stalls and garage sales, despite the COVID lockdowns.
 Hubert Weisrock has led a walking and cycling group from the Woodend Neighbourhood House for more than 10 years. His photographs of flora and fauna taken on the walks and rides are published in local newspapers.
Cr Anderson said the variety of stories of our celebration box recipients highlights the enormous and diverse contributions older people make to our community.
“This was our opportunity to say thank you on behalf of the Macedon Ranges community and we hope they enjoyed this small token of our appreciation,” she said.

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers and other emergency services agencies will benefit from a brand-new training facility in the Central Highlands, preparing them for the summer season.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes today officially opened the $31 million Central Highlands Volunteer Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC), funded by the Andrews Labor Government.
The new VEMTC facility is located on a 40 hectare site on the outskirts of Ballan, and is one of eight training centres operated by the CFA across the state.
The VEMTC facility includes ‘live fire’ simulations with Practical Area Drills, firefighting props, specialist training and breathing apparatus facilities, and four classrooms.
Another key feature includes an off-road driver training track which replicates various conditions a crew may encounter in real emergencies, such as water crossing, sand crossing, rough and uneven ground, mud, and stopping and starting on steep gradients.
The off-road driver training track holds further sentiment for a number of CFA crews, with 11 CFA members honoured and several streets throughout the facility being named in their honour.
Ensuring training scenarios are as life-like as possible will better equip CFA members with the skills and experience to respond effectively to real emergencies, improving the safety of all Victorians.
The site can host up to eight groups at any one time including three groups training outdoors on the three drill areas, one group training on the off-road driving area, and another four groups learning in the classrooms.
The newest VEMTC opening builds on the Labor Government’s continued strong support of the CFA and other emergency service volunteers, with $126 million in funding over five years provided for the CFA to keep its volunteers safe, prepared and well-equipped.
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said:
“Our emergency services put their lives on the line to keep us safe – this facility will make sure they’re ready to face any situation.”
“This new training course is one of the best in the country – attracting more volunteers to our ranks and helping them start a lifelong, rewarding career.”
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said:
“CFA volunteers and emergency services keep our communities safe – they deserve the very best in training facilities.”
“We know how important the role of our CFA volunteers and emergency services is protecting Victorian lives and properties, they need and deserve continued access to world-class training and education.”

The State Government is supporting more Victorian pet owners to have better access to veterinary and rehoming services across the state.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today announced that applications are open for the latest round of the Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) Grants Program which will support animal shelters, foster carers and not-for-profit and community vet clinics to expand their services and help even more companion animals.
More than $1.5 million is available to eligible organisations under Round 10 of the AWF Grants Program for veterinary clinic and rehoming pet grants. This includes:
• Up to $100,000 for shelters and not-for-profit organisations to purchase equipment or to upgrade and expand their services
• Up to $200,000 to establish new, low-cost vet clinics
• Support for veterinary equipment, upgrades and expansions at not-for-profit and community vet clinics.
Eligible organisations can submit applications to purchase equipment and to upgrade or expand their facility.
The Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) Grants Program improves companion animal welfare and recognises the significant role pets play in the lives of Victorians.
Since the program was launched, 169 grants have been awarded to not-for-profit and community organisations that improve the welfare of animals, totalling almost $4.2 million.
Applications for Round 10 of the AWF Grants Program are open until Friday, 24 December. For more information and to apply visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“Pets are an important part of the lives of many Victorians – that’s why we are providing more grants to support our beloved companion animals and ensure they get the care they deserve.”
“These grants recognise the significant role that not-for-profit and community animal welfare organisations play in improving the lives of our much-loved pets.”
former grant recipient Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) General Manager Megan Seccull said:
“The grant money we received has meant we have been able to purchase new veterinary equipment, enabling us improve the level of care we can offer to those animals in need.”
“We feel so fortunate to also be able to build some high quality animal enclosures for our rabbits and guinea pigs making their transient stay with us pleasant and less stressful.”

More than 1000 Victorians have supported the management of foxes and wild dogs in Victoria during 2021.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Jason Wishart thanked all those who have participated in the 2021 Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty.
“The Bounty is a Victorian Government incentive program designed to encourage community participation in fox and wild dog management, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen this year.”
“Participants submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward during scheduled collection times.”
“It is important to manage wild dogs and foxes because they prey on livestock and native wildlife and can carry diseases.”
The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty has been running in Victoria since 2011 and in that time more than 940,000 fox scalps and 4,200 wild dog body parts have been collected. In 2021 alone, 65,915 fox scalps and 309 wild dog body parts were received from 1,136 participants.
“These numbers were achieved with reduced mobility and temporary suspensions of collections due to COVID-19 restrictions. So, although this is lower than other years, it is still a tremendous effort.”
Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty collections are closed for the summer period and will recommence in March 2022.
“Hunters and landowners can still collect then freeze or airdry fox scalps and wild dog body parts that can be submitted when the 2022 program recommences.”
“I urge hunters to familiarise themselves with terms and conditions of the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty to ensure the pieces they submit are acceptable.”
Foxes and wild dogs require ongoing management from all private and public land managers and effective management requires an integrated approach using a range of techniques including baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing and shooting.
“Hunting is important for managing foxes and wild dogs, but effective management requires the use of a range of control techniques.”
A new digitised bounty application process will be launched in March 2022, which will improve administrative efficiency of the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty and streamline payment.
For further information on the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty.

The Macedon Ranges community will soon have the opportunity to provide more feedback on proposed improvements to Black Forest Drive at in-person listening sessions.

Recently communities have expressed their wish for further opportunities to share their ideas about Black Forest Drive and future safety upgrades.
With COVID-19 restrictions having eased, we are pleased to announce four in-person sessions held in Woodend on Tuesday, 14 December and Macedon on Wednesday, 15 December.
In these sessions we want to hear community ideas, better understand community concerns and identify potential solutions to improve safety on this road.
To ensure attendees’ safety and prevent the risk of spreading COVID, entry will be permitted only to people who register in advance through Eventbrite and show vaccination certificates on entry to the session.
The December engagement sessions will build on feedback already received.
This project is being delivered with a $6 million funding commitment in the 2021/22 Victorian Budget.
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“Black Forest Drive is an important arterial road for locals. The community has told me they want further consultation on these important safety upgrades. I’m pleased Regional Roads Victoria will now undertake that crucial community consultation.”
“That’s why Regional Roads Victoria are continuing to work with the community to consider how best to deliver important safety improvements along Black Forest Drive, to deliver a safer journey for all road users.”
Session details and registration:
Woodend: Tuesday, 14 December, Buffalo Sports Stadium, Rotary Room, 1/29 Forest St, from 4pm-6pm or 7pm-9pm black-forest-drive-info-sessions-woodend.eventbrite.com.au
Macedon: Wednesday, 15 December, Macedon Ranges Hotel and Spa, 652 Black Forest Drive, from 4pm-6pm or 7pm-9pm. black-forest-drive-info-sessions-macedon.eventbrite.com.au

Biotech start-ups in Melbourne are set to benefit from a new incubator in Parkville thanks to a substantial investment from the State Government’s Breakthrough Victoria Fund.

The fund’s first investment will help local start-ups overcome barriers to turning ideas into commercial outcomes by providing vital access to sophisticated technology platforms and expert technical support.
The new incubator – worth a total of $95 million – will have capacity to host up to 40 biotech start-ups at a time and provide unparalleled access to industry expertise, academic and clinical facilities and infrastructure, as well as essential capital.
In addition to the Breakthrough Victoria contribution, the incubator will be funded by world leaders in biotech and health sciences CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the University of Melbourne, as a consortium formed to accelerate biotech commercialisation.
It will be located within the Parkville Biomedical Precinct and capitalises on the infrastructure investments made in the Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC), which includes 30 world-class hospitals, medical research institutes, cooperative research centres and universities.
Breakthrough Victoria is an independently operated, government owned company managing the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21.
It is actively seeking investment proposals to mobilise innovation in key industry sectors such as health and life sciences, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, clean economy and digital technologies.
Victoria’s medical research sector supports more than 30,000 jobs across institutes, universities and industry, with more than 40 per cent of Australian-based biotechnology and medical technology companies calling Melbourne home.
Premier Daniel Andrews said:
“This inaugural investment from Breakthrough Victoria supports local people and their ideas to create long-term business opportunities and jobs for Victorians.”
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said:
“It’s fantastic to see the first of many investments from Breakthrough Victoria – giving our world leading researchers the support they need to make discoveries and breakthroughs.”
Breakthrough Victoria Chief Executive Officer Grant Dooley siad:
“This fantastic biotech incubator will accelerate the pathway from ideation and research to commercialisation, by providing affordable infrastructure and access to capabilities, capital, and the communities essential to success.”

The State Government is further cementing Victoria’s status as the clean energy capital of Australia, with a funding boost of $40 million for offshore wind projects to drive jobs and bring forward the next wave of renewable energy opportunities.

As part of the Energy Innovation Fund, the Labor Government is kickstarting three major offshore wind projects – from Star of the South, Macquarie Group and Flotation Energy – which have the potential to create up to 5,600 jobs, bring more than $18 billion in new investment to Victoria and power around 3.6 million homes.
Wild winds off Victoria’s coastline − which among the best in Australia and the world − could see our state become an offshore wind powerhouse, driving economic development and helping us reach our target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
The funding boost announced today will support feasibility studies and pre-construction development, including environmental assessments, and adds to $96 million the companies are already investing in these projects.
The Star of the South will receive $19.5 million to support pre-construction development activities for an offshore wind farm off the Gippsland coast. If built to its full, proposed scale, it would have up to 2.2GW of capacity – enough power to provide nearly 20 per cent of Victoria’s energy needs.
Macquarie Group will receive $16.1 million to facilitate initial development stages of a 1GW offshore wind farm off the Bass Coast. Flotation Energy will receive $2.3 million for scoping studies and surveys for a 1.5GW offshore wind farm off the coast of Gippsland.
The funding will help each company conduct studies to determine the exact location of each project. All major projects will require a rigorous community consultation process and will be subject to a range of regulatory approvals including environmental impact assessments.
Today’s announcement is part of the enormous investment the Labor Government is making in renewable energy. Concrete commitments, like our $1.6 billion clean energy package announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21, have ensured one-third of all Australia’s renewable energy jobs are based in Victoria – more than any other state.
Premier Daniel Andrews said:
“Victoria is the clean energy capital of Australia – we’ve led the way on renewables, created 24,000 jobs with our VRET target alone, supported a thriving supply chain of businesses and attracted billions in investment.”
“Offshore wind is the next step to create thousands of high skilled jobs, and we know we’re ready with a highly skilled workforce able to step into them.”

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio siad:
“This is the largest single offshore wind announcement in Australia’s history and places Victoria at the forefront of this pivotal new sector.”
“Offshore wind projects have the potential to create gigawatts of reliable, renewable energy and help us deliver on our ambitious target to halve emissions by 2030.”

Be among the first to experience ‘Murmuring Walk’, a sublime audio guided experience inspired by the environment and the birdlife inhabiting the lush bush surrounds of Sanatorium Lake, Mount Macedon.
Connected by your personal device, you will enter a contemplative space that will bring Sanatorium Lake to life with a multi-layered and poetic soundtrack featuring exquisite vocals, rhythms and composition.
The Murmuring Walk soundscape was launched by Macedon Ranges Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Rob Guthrie and ‘Murmuring Walk’s creators, musician Ria Soemardjo, writer Sandra Fiona Long and Macedon Ranges’ local performer Charlotte Roberts.
Sandra and Ria are long term collaborators creating immersive performances around Australia and Asia, Charlotte is a talented musician and vocalist and together they have drawn on expertise in writing, performance making, facilitation, vocal improvisation and sound design to produce ‘Murmuring Walk’.
Participants can do the walk at any time. Starting at ‘Lions Head Road Carpark’, a five-minute drive (750 metres) up the road from Days Picnic ground, ‘Murmuring Walk’ is approximately 40 minutes, although audience members may pause at any point, or linger at points of interest or contemplation.
Mobile internet connection is not always reliable in the area so we strongly recommend participants download the audio files, map and instructions first for a truly blissful way to experience the nature of Mount Macedon.
Instructions to download ‘Murmuring Walk’ audio:

1. Go to mrsc.vic.gov.au/murmuring-walk to download the audio files to your personal device.
2. Download or print out the map for reference.
3. Head up to Sanatorium Lake, starting in the Lion’s Head Rd car park, connect your headphones and the audio will tell you what to do next.
   ‘Murmuring Walk is part of Council’s Creative Encounters Projects funding through the COVID Creative and Cultural Support Program. For more information and to book go to mrsc.vic.gov.au/murmuring-walk

A new rate cap of 1.75 per cent has been set for all Victorian councils for the 2022/23 financial year, to help ease cost of living pressures for Victorians.

Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced the cap today, under the Andrews Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates system.
The Fair Go Rates system began in 2016 to limit uncontrolled rate hikes and to provide councils with a clear framework to guide their budgeting while ensuring essential services continue to be delivered.
The cap is set each year by the Minister for Local Government with advice from the Essential Services Commission, guided by the Consumer Price Index.
Before the Fair Go Rates system was introduced residents faced an average rate increase of 6 per cent every year. The current rate cap of 1.5 per cent is the lowest since the system was first introduced.
Councils collect rates from residents annually to fund and deliver essential community infrastructure and services such as local parks, libraries, community centres, roads, kindergartens, waste collection and sports grounds.
Councils individually set rates for their municipalities every year through their budget process and must consult with their communities on decisions relating to budgets, rates, and other charges.
To find out more about how rates are set visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane said:
“We introduced the Fair Go Rates system to help reduce cost-of-living pressures for Victorians by preventing uncontrolled rate hikes from local councils across Victoria.”
“Community members have the chance to engage with their local councils as they make decisions about rate rises through their budget process each year.”

The Andrews Labor Government is backing farm businesses and workers across the state with improved training,
skills development and additional support services to manage their peak harvest season.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today announced $2.9 million in new programs and initiatives as part
of the Labor Government’s ongoing support for the agriculture sector to strengthen its seasonal workforce.
A new $600,000 pilot program will increase skills development and career opportunities for Victorians new to
agriculture, while providing businesses with more workers to help build a sustainable and resilient local
workforce.
The Seasonal Workforce Co-ordinators will continue their vital role, with $1.1 million dedicated to assisting farm
businesses to build a strong harvest workforce by creating better connections to local workers through industry
groups, education providers and recruitment organisations.
The Seasonal Workforce Co-ordinators address labour shortfalls with regionally coordinated solutions that cannot
be achieved by individual businesses or industries working alone. They also support workers with information on
mental health and wellbeing, COVIDSafe measures, safe work practices and vaccination support.
To date, support for vulnerable workers has been an important part of the Government’s Seasonal Workforce
Program, particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities who play a valuable role in the
industry’s seasonal workforce.
A $1 million program will boost services provided by the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and will
extend this model more broadly across Victoria. This will ensure vulnerable workers have access to the
information and support they need about COVIDSafe protocols and employment opportunities.
The package also includes funding to improve workforce data to enable more strategic management of the
seasonal workforce as it moves across Australia’s East Coast during the harvest.
The $6 million Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program will also continue, which has seen new
accommodation, transport and support options for more than 2,000 workers rolled out across rural and regional
Victoria.
These initiatives are part of the Government’s comprehensive $84 million Seasonal Workforce Program, and build
on the important work already done in partnership with industry as it looks to a longer-term workforce strategy
with lasting benefits for future harvest seasons.
More than 1,960 Pacific workers have arrived to support industry, with an additional 3,550 workers taking up
seasonal horticulture work through the Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus, boosting our local workforce.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“Victoria is Australia’s food bowl. This new funding will continue to support workers and businesses manage their
seasonal workforce during this harvest season and gear them up with the critical skills they need.”
“Our focus remains dedicated to supporting industry and community groups who we know are best placed to
understand local issues and remove barriers that prevent local workers from joining the agriculture sector.”

Local sports clubs, youth groups and culturally and linguistically diverse communities are among more than 200 community organisations joining forces as part of a summer blitz to get Victorians vaccinated with their third COVID-19 dose.

Victoria’s vaccination centres and 28 pop-ups are gearing up to deliver third doses across the state. Victorians who had their second vaccine four or more months ago are now due for their third dose.
This comes after the recent ATAGI recommendation to bring forward the third dose interval to four months so as many people as possible are protected ahead of anticipated rising Omicron case numbers.
The Victorian Government is making it as easy as possible for Victorians to get their crucial third dose. The additional sites, some of which will be walk-ups and open seven days a week 12 hours a day, will support the Commonwealth’s vaccination program alongside GPs and pharmacists.
Pop-ups and extended fixed community sites will include Caroline Springs Leisure Centre and Preston’s PANCH Health Centre, and regional locations including centres delivered with Swan Hill District Health and Kyneton District Health and Community Care. Other locations to support the scale-up are being explored.
The community organisations are part of the Victorian Government’s Vaccine Ambassadors program that represent the diversity of Victoria, including clinicians, faith, industry, sports and educational fields with small grants that help the organisations support their communities to get their third dose.
Partners include AMAZE, Carers Victoria, Chinese Community Council of Australia, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Cohealth, Deaf Victoria, Drummond St Services, Father Bob Maguire Foundation, Gateway Health, Mind Australia, Islamic Council of Australia, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Sacred Heart Mission, Yooralla and the Hindu Council of Australia.
The vaccination third-dose blitz will roll out over this month, with up to 300,000 doses expected to be administered in the state-run system alone to supplement the up to 600,000 Victorians a week able to be vaccinated through GPs and pharmacists.
Currently, 11 per cent of Victorians 12 and over have already received a third dose of vaccine, including booster doses and third primary doses for immunocompromised people.
Visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine for more information and links on how to book your vaccine through state-run centres, GPs and pharmacies.
Acting Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said:
“We know a third dose is the best protection against COVID-19 – that’s why we’re making it as easy as possible for Victorians to get vaccinated as soon as they can.”
“We’re working closely with leaders from all parts of the community, making sure all Victorians have the support they need to get vaccinated.”

The State Government is ensuring our public hospitals have the latest life-saving medical equipment and vital engineering infrastructure they need to continue providing world-class healthcare for all Victorians.

Minister for Health Martin Foley today announced 33 health services will share $85 million in funding to ensure public hospitals across the state can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.
This includes 21 metropolitan and regional health services, sharing in $35 million from the latest funding round of the Medical Equipment Replacement Program.
The Medical Equipment Replacement Program provides funding for replacement of prioritised capital medical equipment that is used for acute services in public hospitals across Victoria.
The cutting-edge equipment being funded includes CT scanners, digital X-Ray units, ultrasounds, operating room microscopes, and heart imaging equipment such as transesophageal echocardiogram units.
The medical equipment supports operating suites, emergency departments, surgical wards, intensive care units, neonatal and maternity services and specialist areas.
This includes a new multi-million-dollar PET/CT scanner at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Parkville – one of the first scanners of its kind in Australia with a digital detector. The new machine will allow scans to be performed faster and with less administered radioactivity which is good news for both patients and Molecular Imaging staff.
The scanner will also play an important part in the research and development of a new radiopharmaceuticals program in partnership with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and industry.
In addition, twenty-five metropolitan and regional health services are sharing in the $50 million Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program to upgrade and replace important engineering infrastructure including generators, chillers, emergency lighting, nurse call systems and patient lifts.
The Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program provides funding for replacement of prioritised capital plant items and essential engineering infrastructure for acute services in public hospitals.
For more information about the programs visit: vhba.vic.gov.au
Minister for Health Martin Foley said:
“We’re investing in health services across the state, helping them deliver the high-quality care Victorians deserve and ensure hospitals can continue doing what they do best – saving lives.”
“Every Victorian deserves access to high quality, safe care when they need it – we’re supporting health services to do just that.”
“We’re making sure our busiest hospitals have the vital infrastructure and equipment they need – because Victorians should be able to access quality healthcare, no matter where they live.”

To put us in the best position to respond to Omicron, Victoria will expand its vaccination booster program to deliver up to 300,000 doses a week, support GPs and pharmacies to deliver even more, and take steps to ensure the community’s safety over the holidays with updated mask rules to protect Victorians.

With expert modelling and health advice showing that a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be vital in the fight against Omicron, the Government will invest $31.6 million to support the Commonwealth’s booster program.
The massive scale-up will support a significant expansion of state-run vaccination centres, as well as the rapid recruitment and training of new workers – ensuring up to 900,000 doses can be delivered every week in Victoria.
To help increase vaccination capacity, temporary sites are being set up at prominent shopping centre locations. Pop-up sites at Watergardens and Emporium open today, while pop ups have already opened at Highpoint, Pacific Werribee and Eastland – so people can get their third dose while doing their shopping.
Over the coming weeks, 28 vaccination pop-ups will open and current fixed sites will expand to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week. The flagship centre at the Royal Exhibition Building will stay open until late March.
A re-run of a successful grants program for GPs and pharmacies will help them deliver vaccinations across the 23 Local Government Areas where there is lower primary care coverage, with expressions of interest for the grants of up to $15,000 opening today.
While the Commonwealth is responsible for the third dose rollout in private residential aged care, the Victorian Government is taking further steps to protect aged care residents by making more booster shots available to them, with every resident in Victoria’s public aged care facilities set to be offered a booster by Christmas Day.
Lockdowns are not under consideration because Victorians have made the state one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
As a sensible measure to reduce hospitalisations, from 11:59pm tonight masks will return indoors (except in the home) for people aged eight and over. This means masks will be required when moving around major events with more than 30,000 people, however not when patrons are seated outdoors.
To protect themselves and others, Victorians are being encouraged to take advantage of this festive period to work from home – until more data about the spread of the emerging Omicron variant is gathered and examined.
Those who want to be as COVIDSafe as possible are also strongly encouraged to stick to seated service while inside hospitality venues rather than moving around crowded venues, and to save their dance moves for dancefloors in well ventilated outdoor areas.
As the Government awaits updated dose interval ATAGI advice, the planned scale up to support third doses will launch on 4 January 2022.
All Victorians who are eligible for a third dose five months after their second shot are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible – especially those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as healthcare workers.
For information about coronavirus visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call 1800 675 398.
Ensuring children are protected from coronavirus is also vital, and parents are encouraged to get their kids vaccinated when the rollout for five to 11-year-olds begins on 10 January 2022.
Parents can be confident that the scale up of the booster program will not delay their child’s protection as paediatric vaccination appointments will be ringfenced in the booking system.
Acting Premier James Merlino said:
“We’re able to keep our state open because more than 90 per cent of Victorians got vaccinated, in record time. We’re not going back to lockdowns, we’re vaccinating our way through.”
“These are modest but meaningful steps we can take over summer to ensure we stay open see the people we love this Christmas. Masks and boosters mean less COVID exposure, fewer workers in isolation, and more businesses open and disruption free.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley
“If you’re eligible, it’s vital that you step forward to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious disease, and keep our state safe, open and thriving.”
“These changes will help us protect the most vulnerable people in the community while more Victorians go and get their third dose.”

The State Government is backing farm businesses and workers across the state with improved training,
skills development and additional support services to manage their peak harvest season.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today announced $2.9 million in new programs and initiatives as part
of the Labor Government’s ongoing support for the agriculture sector to strengthen its seasonal workforce.
A new $600,000 pilot program will increase skills development and career opportunities for Victorians new to
agriculture, while providing businesses with more workers to help build a sustainable and resilient local
workforce.
The Seasonal Workforce Co-ordinators will continue their vital role, with $1.1 million dedicated to assisting farm
businesses to build a strong harvest workforce by creating better connections to local workers through industry
groups, education providers and recruitment organisations.
The Seasonal Workforce Co-ordinators address labour shortfalls with regionally coordinated solutions that cannot
be achieved by individual businesses or industries working alone. They also support workers with information on
mental health and wellbeing, COVIDSafe measures, safe work practices and vaccination support.
To date, support for vulnerable workers has been an important part of the Government’s Seasonal Workforce
Program, particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities who play a valuable role in the
industry’s seasonal workforce.
A $1 million program will boost services provided by the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and will
extend this model more broadly across Victoria. This will ensure vulnerable workers have access to the
information and support they need about COVIDSafe protocols and employment opportunities.
The package also includes funding to improve workforce data to enable more strategic management of the
seasonal workforce as it moves across Australia’s East Coast during the harvest.
The $6 million Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program will also continue, which has seen new
accommodation, transport and support options for more than 2,000 workers rolled out across rural and regional
Victoria.
These initiatives are part of the Government’s comprehensive $84 million Seasonal Workforce Program, and build
on the important work already done in partnership with industry as it looks to a longer-term workforce strategy
with lasting benefits for future harvest seasons.
More than 1,960 Pacific workers have arrived to support industry, with an additional 3,550 workers taking up
seasonal horticulture work through the Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus, boosting our local workforce.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“Victoria is Australia’s food bowl. This new funding will continue to support workers and businesses manage their
seasonal workforce during this harvest season and gear them up with the critical skills they need.”
“Our focus remains dedicated to supporting industry and community groups who we know are best placed to
understand local issues and remove barriers that prevent local workers from joining the agriculture sector.”