Victoria: Free Plants, Rebates and Garden Freebies

Who: Casey households, with proof of residency.

How: Register for a voucher during March (2 to 30 March in 2026). Vouchers last three months and are redeemed at a participating nursery: Cardinia Environment Coalition in Pakenham, Conservation Collective in Somerville or Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery in Belgrave Heights. You can also join Casey's Gardens for Wildlife program for a free garden assessment.

Who: Stonnington residents who want to plant out their nature strip.

How: Apply for a nature strip planting permit, which is free. Once it is approved you receive a voucher for 12 plants from an indigenous plant nursery. Mowing or laying turf needs no permit; anything else does.

Who: Mornington Peninsula residents, on proof of residency.

How: The Briars Nursery at Mount Martha runs a free plant giveaway over about a week in March, three plants per household, until the giveaway stock runs out. The nursery sells indigenous and Australian native plants the rest of the year, Tuesday to Saturday.

Who: Mornington Peninsula households, child care centres and schools.

How: Order through Compost Community, the Shire's partner, and $50 comes off the member price. The unit is posted to you, so allow about two weeks.

Who: Owners of private property over 1 hectare, schools and community groups in the Yarra Ranges.

How: Register online for the Ribbons of Green program. Council aims to plant 60,000 native plants a year to restore habitat across the Yarra Ranges, and will also advise on preparing your site.

Who: Cardinia Shire residents.

How: Sign up to the free Gardens for Wildlife program, run with the Cardinia Environment Coalition. Vouchers last six months, and attending a workshop or planting day earns more.

Who: Any property owner in the City of Greater Geelong.

How: Submit a request at geelongcity.vic.gov.au. Planting runs from April to September each year. Council handles species selection, planting and establishment.

Who: Greater Geelong residents.

How: Council partners with Wormlovers to offer discounted compost bins, worm farms and accessories. One discounted product per household.

How it works: Trained volunteers visit your garden for free, identify what wildlife habitat you already have, and give tailored advice on native plants to attract birds, insects and other wildlife. Some participating councils include free plant vouchers as part of the program.

Participating councils: Knox, Darebin, City of Melbourne, Boroondara, Geelong, Casey, Kingston, Merri-bek and Brimbank. More councils join regularly.

How to join: Visit the Gardens for Wildlife Victoria website for the full list of affiliated councils and sign up through your local council's program page.