Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

From July 1, 2025, the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) will be replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).

It is important to note the ESVF applies to all ratepayers across the state including farmers, however the ESVF rate for farmers is fixed for the next 12-months at the same rate you were charged during the 2024/25 financial year for the previous FSPL. No ratepayer is exempt from paying the levy, however there are some rebates available for people such as CFA and SES volunteers. Further information on these rebates is outlined in the FAQs below. 

The ESVF is a state government charge that is mandated for collection by local government councils. Council collects the charge in our municipality with all money going directly to the State Revenue Office. No ESVF money is retained by council. 

The charge is made up of two components:

1.  A fixed charge of $136 for residential properties and $275 for non-residential properties.

2.  A variable charge based on the property's capital improved value (as shown on your rate notice). You can view the variable charged on the State Revenue Office's website here. 

The ESVF charge is listed as a separate item on your rate notice which is required for payment alongside your normal council rate charges. 

There is a $50 concession for eligible pensioners and veterans. Property owners who currently receive a pension rate concession on their principal place of residence will automatically receive the ESVF concession. 

To learn more about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, you can visit the State Revenue Office website here or call the ESVF Support Hotline on 1300 819 033.

ESVF Frequently Asked Questions

The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) replaces the current Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) and is designed to support a broader range of emergency services. Find out more via the short video below provided by the State Revenue Office. 

 

The charge is made up of two components, a fixed charge for each property type and a variable charge based on the property's capital improved value (as shown on your rate notice). Find out more in the short video below provided by the State Revenue Office. 

Eligible volunteers from the CFA and VIC SES will be able to claim a rebate for the ESVF payable on their primary place of residence (PPR) or a farm they own, even if the farm is not their PPR. 

An eligible volunteer is a current volunteer member who:

  • Has not been determined by the relevant emergency service to be inactive, or suspended due to disciplinary action;
  • Has not received remuneration in their capacity as a volunteer except reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses;
  • Has completed 12 months’ service, including any probationary period required by the relevant emergency service to become a volunteer member; and
  • Has not been on a leave of absence from their service for the entire duration of the last 12 months.

A person who has been declared a life member of the relevant emergency service (excluding where the person has been declared a life member by a brigade or unit) is also eligible.

To claim a rebate for the 2025/26 financial year, volunteers and life members must meet the criteria above on May 31, 2025.

Volunteers can apply for the rebate once council has sent out their rates notice. If you believe you are entitled to the eligible volunteer rebate, please visit the Services Victoria website who will notify you when applications are open. 

Following consultation with councils, emergency services and the Victorian Farmers Federation, the Victorian Government is providing an additional partial rebate of the ESVF for farmers eligible for the infrastructure grants program in the Government’s drought support package.

The infrastructure grants program, On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants, provides practical support to farmers impacted by drought in Victoria. The program supports on-farm upgrades that provide immediate support in managing drought and build future resilience.

The rebate means that eligible farms will have no rate increase in their ESVF rates compared to those they paid the previous year for their Fire Services Property Levy. This does not mean the amount you pay won't increase, but rather the rate used to calculate the levy won't increase. The rebate will continue to be assessed annually, as per the broader Drought Support Package, which means it will be reassessed prior to the 2026/27 financial year. 

To find out more about the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program and to apply, please visit the Agriculture Victoria website here. 

As with the previous fire levy, where multiple parcels of farm land are used to operate a single farming enterprise, a person may only be required to pay Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund fixed charge once, by applying for a Single Farm Enterprise exemption.

You can apply for an exemption via the online form below. 

Council will collect the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy as part of normal rates operations. This means you can access financial hardship assistance, such as payment plans, if you need support with paying your rates. Please refer to our hardship page for further information and to apply.

We appreciate the additional burden this charge may place on our community given the current economic impacts already being felt across the shire.

It is important residents understand that council does not have any control over how the money you pay towards your rates notice is distributed. This means you are unable to deny the State Revenue Office the ESVF charge amount as we are legally obligated to pay a portion of your rates money to the State Government.  

While the ESVF tax amount is clearly differentiated from council’s general rates and kerbside collection charges on your rates notice, it isn’t possible to charge the ESVF separately. Ratepayers also risk falling into arrears if they try to avoid paying it, which council is then legally obligated to retrieve and will cost you more in the long run.

If you’re genuinely having difficulty paying your rates, please reach out as there are measures in place to assist you. We want to help our residents who are experiencing financial hardship. Payment plans can be arranged by contacting our rates team on (03) 5358 8710. You can also call the ESVF Support Hotline on 1300 819 033.

 

Want to know more about the ESVF?

It is important to understand that the ESVF charge is administered by the State Government. Further information about how it is calculated and where the funds will be invested into can be found on the State Revenue Office's website here.

Want to speak with someone at council?

Our rates team are available to help answer any questions you may have about your rates notice or the charges that appear on it. You can reach them by calling (03) 5358 8710 or by emailingrates@ngshire.vic.gov.au.

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