COST OF LIVING
Helping Canberrans with the cost of living.
We know that many households are doing it tough right now.
That’s why we’re doing more to support Canberra families with their everyday costs. From helping to keep the heater on in their home to supporting kids in schools - we are taking real steps to help with the cost of living at this time.
And this will continue under a re-elected Labor Government. From free 3-year-old preschool, free healthcare close to home, Energy Price Relief Rebates and fee-free TAFE places - ACT Labor will continue to support tens of thousands of households with their everyday costs.
ACT Chief Minister
Leader of the ACT Labor Party
_________________________
Free preschool for three-year-olds
Labor’s free three-year-old preschool program is not only great for children, it’s great for families. Every Canberra family with a three-year-old child can now access up to 300 hours of free preschool a year, with an average saving of $1329 per year.
And it means more children get the best start in life with a high-quality early childhood education.
It's just one of the ways we're delivering real cost of living relief for Canberra families.
_________________________
More affordable housing
The objective is simple: more housing for Canberrans to build, buy, and rent, where they want to live.
Every Canberran deserves a safe and secure place to call home. We’re working hard to build more social and affordable homes, make renting fairer and make it easier for Canberrans to buy their own home.
You can read more about how we're delivering more housing for Canberrans here.
_________________________
Financial support for school families
ACT Labor believes every child in Canberra deserves a great education.
And a big part of that is being able to get the most out of their education journey. It means being able to go on camp, wear a new uniform, try a new sport, or learn an instrument.
The Education Equity Fund - promised and delivered by ACT Labor, means that no matter their age or background, no child is left behind.
Join our campaign for Education Equity.
_________________________
Free healthcare at Walk-In Centres
ACT Labor believes in free public healthcare for every Canberran. We always have and we always will.
We promised a free nurse-led walk-in clinic in every region of Canberra, and we delivered.
By hiring more nurses and delivering more health services, Canberrans will get the healthcare they need, at the right place and at the right time.
We know the Liberals wanted to scrap Walk-in Centres when Labor first built them. Only a Labor Government can guarantee more free health services for Canberra.
_________________________
Making homes cheaper to heat
Labor believes that everyone should benefit from the transition to a low-emissions future - not just those that can afford it.
ACT Labor’s sustainable home upgrades scheme is saving Canberrans a total of over $23 million on their energy bills each year.
The award winning Scheme provides zero-interest loans to help with the costs of energy-efficient upgrades at home. We know that renewable energy and energy efficient upgrades are not only good for the environment, but they reduce household energy bills.
_________________________
Free Chromebooks for Students
In 2016, we promised that every high school and college student would have equal access to the technology to support their learning. In 2018, we delivered on that promise giving over 17,000 laptops to ACT public school students for free.
Under Labor’s vision for improving digital education access, public schools now provide free wifi routers and dongles for families that need it.
When it comes to education, we believe that no child should be left behind.
_________________________
Helping Canberrans pay rent
Every Canberran deserves a safe and secure home. When times are tough, we are making sure that there is support available to help Canberrans keep a roof over their head. The Rent Relief fund is targeted cost of living support for those in our community who need it most.
