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 “What Rebates and Concessions are available?” for more information.

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.

Following substantial advocacy across the local government sector, the Primary Production rate has now been frozen for 2025-26.

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. 

As the ESVF is a Victorian Government levy, Council is unable to assist with objections.

Objections and queries should be directed to the Victoria Government: https://www.esvf@dtf.vic.gov.au/

Existing concessions continue to apply.

Pensioner Concessions:

If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or an eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Car a $50 rebate is available on the ESVF and a 50% rebate is available on your Council rates (up to $266.00). Concessions apply to one property per year, and it must be your principal place of residence. 

Single Farm Enterprise:

You can apply for a reduced ESVF charge 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. If you think you are eligible, we can help you apply for this exemption. This exemption only applies to the fixed charge component.

Volunteers:

In recognition of their significant contribution, active volunteers and life members from the CFA and VICSES will be eligible for a rebate. To access the eligible volunteers rebate, please apply at: https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/housing-and-property/%20eligible-volunteers-rebate-scheme

If you are finding it difficult to pay 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 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.