Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

From 1 July 2025, the Victorian Government Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) will replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). This is a charge that will appear on your Council rates notice.

This new fund aims to support a broader range of emergency services, including the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and Emergency Recovery Victoria.

The Victorian State Government have allocated Councils as the collection agency on behalf of the Victorian State Government and it will be shown as a separate charge on rates notices from 1 July.

Council is required to proportionately allocate the payment across all charges.

Approximately 36,000 properties in Wellington will be subject to the ESVF, with the levy calculated based on a fixed charge and a variable charge.

• 28,000 residential properties
• 1,750 commercial/industrial properties
• 3,300 rural properties, including primary producers. Please note: the variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7 - the same as it was in 2024-25 - for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year. This reduced rate will be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically.

Eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers, as well as pensioners, veterans, and single farm enterprises, will receive rebates. CFA and VICSES rebates will be administered through an application process directly with the Victorian State Government. Wellington will continue to monitor this change closely and is working with the State Government and other stakeholders, including the Municipal Association of Victoria, to ensure a smooth implementation within our community.

For more information about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, visit:

Emergency services and volunteers fund | State Revenue Office

Council's Stance:

Wellington Shire Council does not support the Victorian Government’s changes to the Fire Services Levy and is actively pushing back, alongside many other rural and regional councils. Although the levy appears on your Council rates notice, itis not a Council charge. It is a State Government tax, and under Victorian law, councils are legally required to act as collection agents. This means:

• We must include the levy on your rates notice.
• We must collect the payment from property owners.
• We must pass the full amount directly to the State Government.

Like many regional and rural councils, we believe this system is unfair and puts an extra burden on local communities. We will continue to advocate for a fairer, more transparent funding system that doesn’t shift the cost of state government services onto local ratepayers.

CFA and SES volunteers:

If you are a volunteer seeking reimbursement or exemption, please:

• Contact your local CFA or SES unit,
• Log in via the CFA or SES Member Portal, or
• Apply directly through the Department of Government Services.

Experiencing financial difficulty?

If you're struggling to pay your rates, we’re here to help. Please call us on 1300 366244 during business hours to discuss flexible payment options.

From 23 July 2025, the Department of Government Services will introduce a dedicated ESVF and volunteer support line for general enquiries: 1300 819 033.

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FAQ’s:

Emergency services and volunteers fund — frequently asked questions | State Revenue Office

ESVF Calculator:

Emergency services and volunteers fund calculator | State Revenue Office

For more information about the volunteer rebate:

https://www.vic.gov.au/Eligible-Volunteers-Rebate-Scheme