Emergency services and volunteers fund

The emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF) will be collected by local councils and appear on your council rates notice. It will replace the fire services property levy (FSPL).

We monitor the performance of councils as they collect the ESVF on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Changes commencing 1 July 2025

From 1 July 2025, the ESVF replaces the FSPL.

The ESVF will support the vital work of a broader range of emergency services that respond to fires, floods, storms and other emergencies, including:

• Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
• Triple Zero Victoria
• Emergency Management Victoria
• Forest Fire Management Victoria 
• State Control Centre
• Emergency Recovery Victoria.

The ESVF will continue to fund Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA). 

Other changes to the levy include: 

• changing the name of the fire services property levy to the emergency services and volunteers fund to account for funding a broader range of emergency services
• introducing a rebate scheme for eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers for their principal place of residence (PPR) or farm. The Treasurer has also declared that volunteers with Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad are eligible for the volunteer rebate
• abolishing the vacant land category, with vacant land being allocated to its corresponding land use sector 
• from 1 July 2026, a new property classification will be introduced for residential PPR, and non-PPR residential properties will be charged the non-residential fixed charge.

Key features of the levy remain the same. The ESVF continues to be calculated based on a fixed charge that varies by property type, and a variable charge based on property type and value. Existing concessions also continue to apply. 

How is ESVF calculated?

The ESVF is calculated using the following formula:

ESVF = fixed charge + variable charge – concession (if eligible) - rebate or other relief (if applicable)

Fixed charge

The fixed charge is based on the property’s classification. The fixed charge increases annually based on the consumer price index.

Property classification

The property classification describes the primary use of your land. Each classification has its own rate. There are 5 property classifications for ESVF purposes:

1. Residential.
2. Commercial.
3. Industrial (also includes infrastructure and extractive properties).
4. Primary production.
5. Public benefit.

The property classification of your land appears on your rates notice or the levy assessment notice issued to non-rateable property owners.

Variable charge

The variable charge is based on the property’s capital improved value (CIV). The variable rate depends on the property's classification and is multiplied by the CIV. 

Variable charge = variable rate × CIV

Capital improved value

The CIV is the value of your land, buildings and any other capital improvements made to the property. It is determined by the general valuation process and displayed on your council rates notice.

View ESVF rates

Calculate your ESVF

Rebates, exemptions and concessions

Existing concessions continue to apply.

Holders of pensioner concession cards and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Cards receive a $50 concession on their home (PPR). Only one concession applies per property per year.

If you believe you are entitled to a concession and have not received it, you need to contact your local council.

Single farm enterprise exemption from fixed charge

As with FSPL, if you own or occupy multiple parcels of land for a single farm enterprise, you may only need to pay the fixed charge once.

If you think you are eligible, contact the council your farmland is in and request a single farm exemption application form.

Eligible volunteer rebate

Eligible volunteers from the CFA and VICSES will be able to claim a rebate for the ESVF payable on their PPR or a farm they own, even if the farm is not their PPR. The Treasurer has also declared that volunteers with Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad are eligible for the volunteer rebate.

If you believe you are entitled to the eligible volunteer rebate, please contact the Department of Government Services (DGS).

Paying ESVF

The ESVF will still be collected by councils and appear on rates notices. Your council must allow you to pay in 4 instalments.

The ESVF will be collected from non-rateable properties via a separate notice.

Please refer to your council rates notice for payment details.

Property valuations

You cannot object to the ESVF, but you can object to the valuation and the Australian Valuation Property Classification Code of your property. Contact your local council for more information.

Answers to frequently asked questions