FAQs

The ESVF is a State Government tax that replaced the previous Fire Services Property Levy. It funds emergency services including CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria, VICSES, and Triple Zero Victoria. This is NOT a Council charge - we are legally required to collect it on behalf of the Victorian Government.

The Victorian Government has mandated that all local councils collect this levy through rates notices. We have no choice in this matter - it's a legal requirement. Council has publicly opposed being forced to collect this State tax as it creates confusion about who is responsible for the charges.

No. Council has actively opposed this increase. In February 2025, we passed a motion calling on the Victorian Government to reduce this tax burden and remove the requirement for councils to collect it. We are joining with other rural councils across Victoria to advocate against this inequitable tax.

No. State legislation requires that any partial payments are automatically split proportionally between Council rates and ESVF. You cannot choose to pay only one portion. Your account will show outstanding balances for both if you don't pay the full amount.

Payment plans are available if you're experiencing financial difficulty. However:

• Important: Council cannot enter into payment plans that exclude the ESVF component. Any payment plan must include both Council rates and ESVF
• Any outstanding amount (Council rates and ESVF) will attract penalty interest at 10% as set by the State Government
• The same provisions for payment plans, deferrals, waivers and concessions that applied to previous rates still apply to the combined bill

You can pay the full amount in one payment OR split it across four instalments, just like your regular rates. The payment due dates remain the same.

All ESVF funds collected, including any interest, go directly to the State Government. There are no guarantees that money raised locally will support our local emergency services. This is one of Council's major concerns with this levy.

We are legally required to collect this levy. Refusing would put Council in breach of State legislation. However, we continue to advocate strongly against this unfair tax and the requirement for councils to collect it.

Yes, several rebates are available:

Volunteer Rebates (administered by Victorian Government - Council cannot process these applications):

• Active CFA and VICSES volunteers
• CFA and VicSES Life members
• Members who have served 12+ months or passed probation
• Members not suspended or on leave for the entire preceding 12 months

Pensioner Rebates: Eligible pensioners and Department of Veteran Affairs card holders receive a $50 rebate (existing pensioner rebate recipients don't need to reapply)

Drought-affected farmers: Partial rebates may be available

For volunteer rebate applications, visit: dtf.vic.gov.au/emergency-services-and-volunteers-fund#rebate-for-volunteers

Visit the State Revenue Office website: sro.vic.gov.au/emergency-services-and-volunteers-fund

Contact your local State Government representatives (State MP and relevant Ministers) as this is their tax, not Council's. Council supports residents in voicing concerns to the appropriate level of government.

There is also a hotline you can call – 1300 819 033