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.

It is important to note that the Wellington Shire is not raising any additional revenue from the levy. 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

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