ESVF Freeze for Primary Producers

Published on 10 December 2025

Victoria's 2025 budget update, tabled in parliament on Friday 05 December 2025, identified that primary producers would receive a further two-year freeze on Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) variable rates. The cap for CFA volunteers claiming an ESVF rebate for their farms will also increase from $5 million to $10 million on capital improved value, increasing the maximum rebate eligible volunteers can receive.

What does this mean?

Primary Producers will still be required to pay ESVF levies and will still see a charge for it on their rates notices. The ‘freeze’ means that that they will be charged the same variable rate as what it was in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.

The ESVF charges are made up of the two following rates:

• Variable rate: will be 28.7 cents per $1,000 of capital improved value for the next two financial years.
• Fixed rate: the current fixed rate for 2025/26 is $275.00. This rate is determined by the State Revenue Office and may change each financial year.

Council has continued in their advocacy against the ESVF, and while welcoming the relief for primary producers for a further two years, will continue to work with the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to urge the government to enact permanent changes that do not unfairly burden our communities. 

Cr Ismay said “While this short-term outcome is welcomed, this is not the outcome that we have been advocating for. Victoria’s emergency services are so vital to our community, but their funding should not be unfairly taken from the pockets of dedicated emergency service volunteers.”

“It is encouraging to see that the Victorian Government is listening, and we’re committed to continued advocacy for the needs of our farmers and wider community,” Cr Ismay continued. 

The Victorian Government budget update is available here - https://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/2025-26-budget-update.

Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer