Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) FAQs

The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), managed by the Victorian State Government, will replace the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) from July 1, 2025.

The ESVF intends to fund a range of emergency services, including VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

All property owners, unless they are eligible for an exemption via a rebate. See “Which volunteers are eligible for a rebate?” below.

As a property owner, Councils also pay ESVF.

Councils will collect the ESVF through rate notices.

Councils pass the levy collection onto the State Revenue Office.

Note: this levy has been legislated by the state government, and we are required by law to collect it and pass it on.

Like the FSPL, the ESVF will be calculated based on a fixed charge that varies by property type, and a variable component based on property value.

Fixed charge

Is different for residential and non-residential properties and increases annually based on the consumer price index.

Variable component

Is based on a property’s capital improved value (CIV) and a variable rate (cents per $’000 of CIV) depending on its property classification.

How do I get my rebate?

Councils do not administer the rebate application for CFA and VICSES volunteers.

The volunteer rebate will be administered by the Department of Government Services. Volunteers will need to pay the amount first and then apply for a rebate through this department.

The State Government will provide information to volunteers about the rebate and how to access it ahead of the commencement of the ESVF on 1 July 2025.

Which volunteers are eligible for a rebate?

Eligible volunteers include all active VICSES and CFA operational and support volunteers.

Volunteers will need to have served for at least 12 months, have passed probation, and not be suspended on disciplinary grounds or have taken a leave of absence for the entire duration of the preceding 12 months.

Concession cards

Holders of pensioner concession cards and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Cards (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated and War Widows) receive a $50 concession on their home (principal place of residence). Only one concession applies per property per year. If you believe you are entitled to a concession and have not received it, we can help you.

Single Farm Enterprise

You can apply for an exemption if you own or occupy multiple parcels of farmland which are used for a single farm enterprise.

Eligible single farm enterprises may only need to pay the fixed charge once for the farm property. If you think you are eligible, we can help you apply for this exemption. This exemption only applies to the fixed charge component.

What happens if I don’t pay the ESVF?

It is not possible to separate the ESVF charge from other charges on a rate notice. If only a partial payment is made (i.e. excluding the ESVF portion), some of the payment will be applied to the outstanding ESVF. If the ESVF amount is not paid, it will be marked as an outstanding charge, and interest will accrue on it.

Note that any future payments will always be applied to the oldest outstanding debt first.

No, this is not currently a valid ground for objection and, as such, will not be considered at this stage.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your rates by the due date, please contact our Rates team as soon as possible at 5722 0838 to discuss your circumstances and available options.

Alternatively, you can request a payment plan for your rates account. Please note that interest will be charged at 10% per annum until the account is brought up to date.

To access a payment plan, complete the form here.