Election in Melbourne

My friend who lives in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia told me that the candidates are paid by the government, a certain sum of money for each vote that they get in the election, provided that they get at least 2,500 votes.

This is intended to defray their expensses of contesting the election. It will give them the funds to contest the next election.

He said that the payment is usually sufficient to cover the expenses of the contest.

I am not sure if his facts are correct. He is not sure if this payment applies only to the local election, or applies to the state and national elections as well.