Temporary fuel cost relief extended for May

Racing Victoria (RV) has announced that its temporary business support subsidies, introduced in response to escalating fuel costs, will be extended for the month of May as uncertainty across the global landscape continues.

The extension follows ongoing consultation with the the Australian Trainers Association (ATA), Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) and the State Government and reflects the continued need for targeted support across the Victorian racing industry.

RV's subsidies are designed to complement a range of Government relief measures currently in place. These include the Federal Government's fuel excise reduction — now 32 cents per litre following a GST agreement with the States - and its temporary pause of the heavy vehicle road user charge of 32.6 cents per litre of diesel vehicles over 4.5 tonnes GVM, as well as the Victorian Government's free public transport until 31 May 2026.

RV’s temporary fuel relief measures, which have been in effect since 1 April 2026 and will continue until at least 31 May 2026, are:

• For each starter in a Victorian race, a licensed trainer receives a $100 business support subsidy designed to assist with their operations in the face of escalating fuel costs. It is RV’s expectation that these assistance payments, when coupled with the Government’s relief measures, will be used at a minimum to limit additional transport-related costs being imposed upon owners and to provide assistance to their employees, including stable staff;
• For each Victorian race meeting attended, a licensed jockey receives a $50 business support subsidy in recognition of their additional travel costs to participate in the sport. This is paid in addition to the minimum riding allowance of $100 per meeting for three rides or less and applies irrespective of distance travelled; and
• RV’s acknowledged retrainers, rehomers and retirement farms each receive a business support subsidy of 10% for each horse retrained/rehomed/agisted as part of RV’s Off The Track program. This will see their regular reporting subsidy increased to $165 per horse.

(Subsidy amounts listed are all excluding GST)

As previously communicated, payments are being made by RV in arrears on a weekly basis to licensed trainers and jockeys and in line with regular payment cycles for acknowledged post racing providers.

These measures remain temporary and will continue to be reviewed in consultation with the ATA, VJA and TROA, taking into account any further Government advice on fuel supply or costs.

RV Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “With a large network of country racetracks and training businesses spread across Victoria, fuel and transportation remain a substantive portion of industry costs, and we're pleased to extend this support while those pressures continue to be felt.

“Central to this extension is our continued expectation that trainers use their business support subsidies to actively limit additional transport-related costs being passed on to owners, and to support their employees.

“By the end of April, we’ll have delivered almost $450,000 in temporary fuel relief to participants and officials across our industry, and I hope that support has made a difference in managing operating costs during a challenging period for all Australians.

“While we are extending these business support subsidies for a further month into May we will be re-assessing the continuity of this support with our stakeholder groups as the situation evolves, to ensure this remains appropriate and consistent with our objectives.”