Stronger policy outcomes for Victoria — progress

Key initiatives

In 2025–26, DPC delivered the following key initiatives in support of the departmental objective for Stronger Policy Outcomes for Victoria.

Output: Economic policy advice and support

Provide advice on current and future economic challenges and opportunities, including to support the implementation of the government’s Fiscal Strategy, whole-of-government savings and efficiencies initiatives, and Economic Growth Statement

In 2025–26, DPC continued to work closely with DTF and other departments to support delivering the government’s five-step fiscal strategy and policy priorities in a challenging economic climate. This included advising on budget and fiscal strategy, industrial and economic growth opportunities, employment, training and skills, higher education, consumer affairs, local government, industrial relations, building reform, and transport policy and infrastructure delivery.

In 2025–26 DPC worked with DTF on government's commitments in the Economic Growth Statement to reduce regulatory burden for businesses by $500m by 2030 and to halve the number of business regulators by 2030. DPC has worked with DTF on a number of regulatory consolidations including establishment of Safe Food Victoria on 1 July 2026, absorbing Recycling Victoria into the Environment Protection Authority on 1 July 2026, moving the regulatory functions of Parks Victoria into the Conservation Regulator in June 2026 and transferring Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority functions to Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on 1 April 2026.

Support reform of the government’s budgeting and financial management framework, and encourage efficient government operations, including through the digitising of government services

DPC worked closely with DTF to support the passage of the Financial Management Legislation Amendment Act 2025, which strengthens the financial accountability of departments and agencies and reinforces the government’s focus on fiscal sustainability and accountability. The Act amends the Financial Management Act 1994.

DPC worked with DGS to support centralisation of IT services, and the delivery of new products and services through Service Victoria.

Provide advice to support the efficient operation of markets, while maintaining appropriate protections for consumers

DPC has worked with other government departments to improve the design of government regulations to protect consumers, while minimising the costs to businesses and the community. In 2025–26, DPC worked with DGS to deliver government’s key commitments for consumer reforms through the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, introduced into Parliament in early June 2026. The Bill will improve outcomes for Victorian renters and increase protections for residents of residential parks; increase transparency and availability of information for consumers in the property market and increase professionalism in the sector; improve the experience of Victorians living in owners corporations, particularly those experiencing financial hardship; and strengthen consumer protections and modernise regulations related to motor car trading.

DPC also worked closely with DJCS to strengthen powers to address the sale of illicit tobacco, including the introduction of closure powers.

Provide advice to deliver a renewable energy transition and achieve emissions reduction across the economy to reach the government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2045, support delivery of the government’s environmental and agricultural priorities and maintain the sustainable use of Victoria’s natural resources in a changing climate

DPC has worked with DEECA to progress implementation of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement with the Commonwealth Government to deliver renewable energy investment in the state.

DPC has also supported DEECA to progress the development of the offshore wind industry in Victoria and provided support to the Premier as a shareholder of the State Electricity Commission.

DPC has also worked closely with DEECA to support the release of key government policy documents, including the:

• Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy
  2026–2030 and second set of five-year emissions reduction sector pledges for
  2026–2030, released in November 2025
• Gas Substitution Roadmap update, released in December 2025
• Victorian Energy Jobs Plan, released in June 2026
• Guide for consumers ‘Your Energy, Your Savings: Understanding Victoria’s energy transition and how you can benefit’, released in June 2026.

In 2025–26 DPC continued to provide secretariat support to the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce. This advisory group led consultation and engagement with drought impacted farmers, communities, councils and stakeholders, and provided advice to government. With advice from the Taskforce, DPC worked closely with DEECA and DTF to provide up to $146.5 million for drought support. This funding has been critical to help farmers and communities prepare, respond and recover from drought.

Support delivery of the government’s transport infrastructure program and coordinate a range of reforms to improve mobility around the state, and the safety, liveability and sustainability of Victoria’s built environment, including implementation of Victoria’s Housing Statement

DPC continued to monitor the implementation of the government’s transport infrastructure program during 2025–26 including the opening of the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel. DPC continues to provide advice on the Suburban Rail Loop, North East Link and Melbourne Airport Rail projects.

DPC continued to monitor and provide advice to government on infrastructure delivery challenges, including material cost increases and labour supply shortages. DPC has also continued to work with DTP to support the implementation of the new public transport ticketing contract, management of contracts for delivery of new public transport rolling stock and the re-contracting of operations and maintenance for Melbourne’s Metropolitan train franchise.

In 2025–26, DPC monitored the implementation of Victoria’s Housing Statement and associated initiatives. These initiatives are being delivered by relevant ministers and their portfolio departments. DPC monitored housing completion data and worked with DTP to support delivery of the Train and Tram Zone Activity Centre program and the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Act 2026. DPC also worked with relevant stakeholders to implement the government’s building reform program, including development and passage of the Building and Plumbing Administration and Enforcement Act 2026, and associated regulations.

DPC also supported DGS to deliver the commitment in Victoria’s Housing Statement
to establish a Portable Rental Bond Scheme allowing renters to transfer their existing bond to a new rental agreement, ensuring renters don't pay a double bond when they want to move rental properties. DPC worked with DGS on design of an efficient, fair and financially sustainable scheme. The scheme launched on
1 July 2026 following legislative and regulatory changes and system deployment.

Support delivery of the government’s industry and innovation agenda, including driving investment in jobs, and providing advice to deliver the government’s skills and workforce priorities

DPC supported delivery of the Economic Growth Statement, the Premier’s Business Council and the Premier’s Business Forums which were held between September to December 2025. DPC worked closely with DJSIR and DTF in the establishment and operationalisation of Innovation Victoria – a single agency for entrepreneurs, founders and investors that consolidates Breakthrough Victoria and LaunchVic. DPC also worked closely with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), DTF and other departments to deliver a range of modern industry policies and announcements, including the AI Mission Statement and the Sustainable Data Centre Action Plan. DPC continued working with DJSIR on delivering and monitoring work in the health and medical research, mRNA, defence, data centres and artificial intelligence spaces.

In 2025–26 DPC also worked closely with DTF and DJSIR to respond to local skills and workforce needs, progress reforms to improve Victoria’s Skills and TAFE system, and create job opportunities through small business, employment, and migration initiatives. DPC supported implementing the National Skills Agreement including several Centres of Excellence, maintaining an effective Free TAFE for priority courses initiative, and responding to critical skills and workforce needs. DPC has provided strategic guidance on how Victoria’s Skills and TAFE system can better support workforces in government priorities, such as clean energy, care economy and housing.

In 2025–26, DPC developed the government's work from home legislation, including wide consultation, analysis of the survey on the reforms, and preparation of legislation for introduction into Parliament.

DPC also worked closely with DTF to improve workers’ rights in the workplace through reforms regarding the use of non-disclosure agreements relating to sexual harassment in workplaces, and progress work to protect workers from risks introduced by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Advise, deliver and facilitate engagement with international stakeholders in Victoria and overseas, particularly by the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Governor, that promote trade and investment, continue to build the state’s vibrant multicultural fabric and achieve other priority whole-of government objectives

DPC supported whole-of-government cooperation with key international partners to promote trade, investment, cultural, and people to-people ties that benefit all Victorians. In
2025–26, this included the release of Victoria's China Strategy: For a New Golden Era, informed by extensive consultation across government, industry, and community and an official visit by the Premier. DPC also supported follow-on activities associated with Victoria’s India Strategy: Our Shared Future 2025–30 (released in 2024–25).

These whole-of government strategies outline a strategic framework guiding Victoria's engagement with key international partners. DPC also facilitated engagement in Victoria and overseas between international dignitaries and senior Victorian leaders, including the Premier, Deputy Premier, and Governor of Victoria.

Output: Social policy and intergovernmental relations

Support the delivery of key social policy reforms to improve outcomes for Victorians

In 2025–26, DPC supported the independent Rapid Child Safety Review and reform of the child safety system. It worked with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Department of Education (DE), DGS and independent bodies including the Social Services Regulator and the Commission for Children and Young People to progress recommendations from the independent Rapid Child Safety Review and deliver recommended reforms. This included new legislation, expanded powers for the Social Services Regulator and a new independent early childhood regulator.

In 2025–26, DPC supported the Forum for Truth and Recognition to deliver its report. This was a key commitment arising from the response to the Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools. Following the Forum for Truth and Recognition’s Final Report, DPC supported the Government’s response to the Forum’s recommendation, including preparing for the Parliamentary Apology to victims and survivors of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.

DPC supported DFFH to introduce the Supporting Stable and Strong Families scheme. This new whole of public sector model creates shared responsibility for departments to improve outcomes for at-risk children, young people, care leavers and families.

DPC continued to support Victoria’s social housing agenda, including through the Big Housing Build, and through work to secure funding from the Commonwealth for more social and affordable housing.

Support the Department of Health to deliver key commitments to improve the health and wellbeing of Victorians.

DPC has continued to support the Department of Health deliver key commitments to improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. Highlights in 2025–26 included supporting the Department of Health to:

• open the new Footscray Hospital on 18 February 2026 and the Peninsula University Hospital (formerly Frankston Hospital) on 20 January 2026
• open three new Community Hospitals in Craigieburn, Cranbourne and Mernda between August and November 2025
• refine and release the refreshed Victorian Palliative and End of Life Care Framework 2026–36 during National Palliative Care Week, which was in May 2026
• develop legislative amendments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 to remove unnecessary barriers to accessing Voluntary Assisted Dying services, improve clarity for practitioners, strengthen safety measures and make the system fairer and more compassionate
• develop the new Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Act 2026, which will prevent permanent non-consensual treatments that can be deferred, to avoid harm for people with variations in sex characteristics
• release the Specialist Care Reform Blueprint, to make sure Victorians get the specialist care they need, faster and closer to home
• release the Bridging the Gender Pain Gap reportfollowing the Inquiry into Women's Pain, alongside actions to address key recommendations, including the rollout of 'green whistle' pain relief for IUD procedures, development of a statewide Women's Pain Standard, and establishment of a dedicated children and adolescent pain clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital from 2026.

DPC also supported VIDA Health to progress major infrastructure projects including the new Melton Hospital which is now in construction and on track for completion in 2029, and the Austin Hospital completing early works and commencing main works in January 2026.

Worked with the Department of Education to deliver key education and early childhood policy reforms

In 2025–26, DPC continued to support the delivery of key education policy reforms, strengthening the education system for children and young people. These reforms included:

• supporting DE to continue negotiations for a new Victorian Government Schools Agreement, Victorian Early Childhood Teachers and Educators Agreement and Early Education Employees Agreement.
• continuing to inform the design and ongoing implementation of the Best Start, Best Life early childhood education agenda. This includes rolling out universal Three-Year-Old Kinder across Victoria, delivering more hours of Four-Year-Old Kinder across rural and regional areas and to priority cohorts, delivering Free Kinder for families with three and four-year-olds, and delivering new government owned and operated early learning and childcare centres in the communities where they are needed most.
• supporting whole-of-government system design for new Thriving Kids supports for children under eight with developmental delay and autism.

During the reporting period, DPC also continued to support the Children’s Portfolio Coordination to provide strategic policy and project coordination for initiatives supporting children aged 0 to 12 and their families. This included helping launch a new digital version of the green book.

Support the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, as well as the progression of alcohol and other drug-system reforms

In 2025–26, DPC continued to support the ongoing implementation of mental health reform initiatives from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The 10-year reform journey from the Royal Commission has reached the five-year mark and has helped to build a system that delivers timely, community-based care for all Victorians.

Key achievements for DPC in 2025–26 included supporting the Department of Health’s landmark mental health and alcohol and other drugs services and reform, such as:

• operationalising seven new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals supporting Victorians experiencing mental ill health or psychological distress
• continuation of the Statewide Action Plan, including implementation of the Victorian Take-Home Naloxone Program.

Support the Department of Justice and Community Safety with key reforms in the justice system, respond to emergencies and strengthen the disaster resilience and safety of all Victorians.

In 2025–26, DPC continued to support implementation of reforms across the Victorian justice system, including strengthened youth offences and additional police and Protective Service Officers. DPC also supported the increase in justice system capacity in response to strengthened bail laws, to address the increases in accused adults and young people on remand.

In December 2025, the Violence Reduction Unit was established as an Administrative Office of DPC to tackle and prevent violent youth crime through early intervention.

DPC also supported the Victorian Government’s response to the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi in December 2025, including:

• supporting the introduction of legislation to strengthen firearms laws as agreed at National Cabinet
• helping in the appointment of the Commissioner for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism
• acceleration of implementation of a civil anti-vilification scheme.

In ensuring the safety of Victorians, DPC facilitates the Foreign Interference Community of Practice which builds capacity across the Victorian Government regarding foreign interference, mis and disinformation and cyber threats. DPC also continued to provide protective security measures for government personnel through coordinating security clearance vetting for VPS personnel, and the Member of Parliament Residential Security Program.

Output: Multicultural affairs
policy and programs

Tackle racism, promote multiculturalism and celebrate diverse communities to help build belonging for Victorians

In 2025–26, DPC continued to implement Victoria's anti-racism strategy 2024–29, which sets out a five-year plan for preventing racism and faith-based discrimination in our state.

The Anti-Racism Taskforce has continued to provide expert guidance on the strategy's implementation.

Under Victoria's anti-racism strategy, DPC has supported delivery of whole-of-government flagship actions, including:

• administering the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program, distributing $2.44 million over 2024–25 and 2025–26 to support grassroots responses to racism through activities across art, media, sport and education
• a statewide anti-racism campaign in community sport, launched in June 2026
• a program to build the capacity of frontline police to take human-rights centred approaches when engaging with First Peoples and multicultural communities
• an anti-racism scheme to build the capability of workplaces to be culturally safe and inclusive, led by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

In 2025–26, DPC also continued to implement funding to support community-led initiatives to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia.

DPC chaired the Local Escalation and Help Group, bringing together members of the Jewish Community, Victorian Government agencies and Victoria Police. The group met seven times during the reporting period, creating a direct communication channel between the Jewish community and the public service (including Victoria Police) on critical issues.

DPC also convened the Multicultural and Multifaith Law Reform Consultative Committee to provide advice on relevant legislative reform across all portfolios.

During the year DPC commenced implementation of actions arising from Victoria’s Multicultural Review. This included consultation with over 380 community members, sector representatives and advisory forums on the development of Victoria’s first Multicultural Strategy, and the Multicultural Victoria Amendment Bill 2026.

DPC administered a range of grant programs that strengthen and promote multiculturism in Victoria including established programs such as the Multicultural Festivals and Events program, the Multicultural Seniors Support program and the Multicultural Infrastructure and Security program.

In response to Victoria’s Multicultural Review, DPC has launched the Multicultural Capacity Building Program, providing funding to multicultural community organisations to strengthen their capacity and continue to create positive change for communities.

The list of allocations to multicultural community organisations can be found in Section 6, Appendix 4.

Progress towards achieving
the objective

The objective indicators, associated data sets and descriptions below show how the following outputs contribute to DPC’s Stronger Policy Outcomes for Victoria departmental objective:

• Economic policy advice and support
• Social policy and intergovernmental relations
• Multicultural affairs policy and programs.

Objective indicator: Advice contributes to the achievement of government policies and priorities relating to economic and social outcomes, intergovernmental relations, and emergency management

Throughout 2025–26, DPC’s policy advice to the Premier, Cabinet, portfolio ministers, and key governing boards and committees continued to shape the government’s agenda in the medium- to long-term:

• Advice supported the development of the Government response to the Independent Review of the Victorian Public Service.
• DPC advice supported the government to respond to the national fuel crisis, including appointing a State Energy Controller and amendments to the Fuel Emergency Act 1977.
• DPC also continued efforts to support victim survivors of family violence, and to strengthen prevention of family violence through delivering the Strengthening Women’s Safety Package.
• DPC played a key role supporting Victoria’s negotiation of, and agreement to, several high value intergovernmental agreements with the Commonwealth. Of particular note were:
• the renewed, five-year National Health Reform Agreement, agreed at National Cabinet on 30 January 2026, that will see increased funding to Victorian hospitals.
• a renewed, five-year agreement from 2025–26 on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses to continue critical frontline services
• the amendments to the National Firearms Agreement, agreed at National Cabinet in August 2026, to improve public safety by strengthening the safe and responsible possession and use of firearms.
• DPC coordinated Victoria’s engagement with the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, including leading key governance forums, supporting responses to Notices and supporting hearings.
• During the January 2026 bushfires, DPC supported arrangements to ensure the provision of resources for relief and recovery programs to affected communities, businesses, wildlife and parklands.
• Facilitated senior officials-level exercises of key emergency management functions.
• Advice supported the centralisation of IT services under DGS.

DPC’s advice to the Government also supported the Victorian response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in 2025 and 2026 and coordination with other states, territories and the Commonwealth.

DPC’s contribution to this objective indicator is also demonstrated through the following economic data.

DPC coordinated intergovernmental negotiations relating to health and disability reforms. On 30 January 2026, National Cabinet agreed to a Heads of Agreement on the National Health Reform Agreement, NDIS reforms and Foundational Supports.

^{1 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2024–25 financial year) Australian National Accounts: State Accounts (Catalogue number 5220.0; Table 1: Gross State Product, Chain volume measures and current prices; Series ID: A2336356T), ABS website, accessed 5 August 2026.
2 2026–27 Victorian Budget Paper No. 2 — Strategy and Outlook (Table 2.1: Victorian economic forecasts)
3 Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force, Australia (Catalogue 6202.0; Table 003: Labour force status by Sex, Victoria; Series ID: A84423349V), ABS website, accessed 5 August 2026.}

Objective indicator: Decrease experiences of discrimination

Throughout 2025–26, DPC’s policy advice to the Premier, Cabinet, portfolio ministers, and key governing boards and committees continued to shape the government’s agenda in the medium- to long-term by:

• Implementation of Victoria’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024–29, with oversight and guidance from the Anti-Racism Taskforce.
• Continuing to support community-led initiatives to tackle Islamophobia and antisemitism.
• Supporting Local Anti-Racism Support Networks, as part of the government’s response to the Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections.
• Chairing the Local Escalation and
  Help group, bringing together key Jewish community leaders and local and state government representatives to discuss key issues impacting Victoria’s Jewish community.
• Enabling the delivery of targeted initiatives under the Victorian African Communities Action Plan, including culturally responsive support for employment, mental health, alcohol and drugs and education, and supporting the Victorian African Communities Committee.
• Supporting Victoria’s engagement with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions on key matters impacting Victoria’s refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities, including through whole-of-government submissions to the Commonwealth’s 2025–26 Humanitarian Settlement Program.
• Facilitating intergovernmental policy reform on language services to strengthen equitable access to government supports for culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians.

Despite this work, multicultural and multifaith communities and First Peoples continue to experience racism, discrimination and substantial barriers to full social and economic participation.

The antisemitic terror attack in Sydney in December 2025 deeply impacted the Victorian Jewish communities’ sense of safety. The Islamophobia Register’s Islamophobia in Australia 2023–24 Report highlights that Islamophobia is at the highest rates ever recorded. Local and global events have intensified these experiences, leading to strained interfaith and intercultural connections.

In 2025–26 DPC continued to deliver multi-year funding the Government committed as part of the 2024/25 State Budget to:

• Tackle racism and discrimination to build a safer, fairer and more inclusive state. This included grants to tackle racism at the local level, a new anti-racism campaign for community sport, a program to prevent racism in workplaces and anti-racism training for frontline police.
• Support vital community-led measures to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia.