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 rates notices and is payable along with your Council rates and charges.
The new levy aims to support 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).
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund is not a Council charge but is collected by Council on behalf of the Victorian State Government, the charge will appear separately on your rate notice.
The ESVF means every Victorian property owner contributes their fair share. Eligible pensioners, veterans, and single farm enterprises, as well as CFA and VICSES volunteers for their principal place of residence (PPR) may receive a concession.
CFA and VICSES rebates will be administered through an application process directly with the Victorian State Government.
CFA and SES volunteers:
If you are a volunteer seeking reimbursement or exemption, please:
Council's Stance:
Murrindindi Shire Council has consistently raised concerns about the design and fairness of the levy. While all communities rely on emergency services, the current funding model places a disproportionate burden on rural communities, particularly small to medium primary producers with multiple land titles. Although the levy appears on your Council rates notice, it is 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.
Council will continue to advocate for a fairer and more sustainable approach - one that supports both our emergency services and our communities to thrive.
How much will I need to pay?
The ESVF is made up of two components; a fixed charge component ($136 for residential properties and $275 for non-residential properties), plus a variable rate calculated against the Capital Improved Value of your property.
Variable Rates (cents per $1000 of capital improved value): *
| Property Sector - CFA area |
|
| Residential |
17.3 |
| Commercial |
133 |
| Industrial |
133 |
| Primary production |
28.7 |
| Public benefit |
5.7 |
* Derived from the State Revenue Office Victoria
The ESVF calculated using the following formula:
ESVF = fixed charge + (capital improved value x levy rate) - concession of $50 (if applicable)
Example (based on residential property CIV $300,000 with pensioner concession):
ESVF amount = $136 + (300,000 x 0.000173) - $50
Levy amount = $137.90
Primary production properties consisting of multiple land parcels but valued as a single property for rates purposes are treated as a single property for the purposes of the ESVF and only pay the fixed component of the levy once.
A person may also apply for an exemption from paying more than one fixed charge for a farm property that is a single farm enterprise.
Where a Single Farm Enterprise (SFE) holds land in another municipality, an application for all land held by the SFE is to be lodged in each municipality.
The ESVF is collected along with your council rates payment. The levy replaces the Fire Services Levy previously charged on building and contents insurance premiums. Council rates can be paid in quarterly instalments from the September quarter or as a lump sum in February.
See the Paying your rates page for further payment information.
If you disagree with the Capital Improved Value of your property as listed on your rates notice, please visit the Property valuations web page for information on lodging an objection.
To lodge an objection to your Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) Classification please complete the appropriate objection form from the links below
Want to know more
The Department of Government Services has introduced a dedicated phone number for ESVF and volunteer support line for general enquiries: 1300 819 033.
General ESVF information and calculator.