What we know about Vic mental health levy

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT VICTORIA'S MENTAL HEALTH LEVY?

* Victorians will soon pay a levy to help fund mental health services in the state, to act on a recommendation in the interim report of the state's mental health royal commission

* Among the inquiry's nine recommendations to the state government was designing and implementing a new approach to mental health investment, including a tax or levy and a dedicated capital investment fund

* Premier Daniel Andrews says senior ministers will work on deciding a model for a levy over the summer, before running their idea past the royal commission and introducing it sometime in 2020

* The model of the levy will determine whether or not it requires parliamentary approval

* When exactly the levy will be introduced will depend on its frequency, with some existing levies charged annually and others quarterly

* Examples of existing separate revenue streams the royal commission gave in its report were the Transport Accident Commission being funded through a payment made when motorists register their vehicles, and the fire services levy charged to all ratepayers

* The Victorian coalition says the government should avoid a levy, arguing appropriate funding can be achieved in "other ways"

* The Victorian Council of Social Service has encouraged the government to ensure the new levy is means-tested like Medicare.