Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

The vacant land classification category has been abolished, with vacant land reallocated to its corresponding land use classification (e.g. vacant commercial land will be reclassified as commercial land). 

A rebate scheme may be available for eligible emergency service volunteers for their principal place of residence OR farm. Please see the ‘I am an emergency service volunteer, am I eligible for a rebate?’ section below for more information.

The fund has been broken down into two enforced levies:

• ESVF – Fixed Levy
• ESVF – Variable Levy (based on capital improved value (CIV)

The Victorian State government has frozen the ESVF rate for primary production land at the 2024/2025 level for the 2025/2026 financial year, providing a reprieve for farmers. This means the ESVF variable rate will remain at 28.7% for primary production properties, the same as the previous year.

The ESVF will be calculated annually and is payable annually or via instalments alongside rates.

Existing concessions (for eligible pension concession card holders) will also continue to apply. Ratepayers that already receive a pension concession do not need to reapply.

How is the ESVF calculated?

This video prepared by the State Revenue Office of Victoria outlines how the emergency services and volunteers fund is calculated in 2 parts: a fixed charge and a variable charge.

To learn more about how the ESVF is calculated and to check your ESVF liability, visit: sro.vic.gov.au/esvf or call the ESVF support line 1300 819 033.

You cannot directly object to the levy itself, but you can object the Capital Improved Valuation (CIV) of your property. This determines the variable component of the ESVF. If you disagree with your valuation, you can object here: Object to rating valuation - Home.

Your objection must come within two months of the issue of your rates notice.

Any income collected by Council via rates will be equally apportioned over all outstanding charges. All income collected via rates will be applied to the ESVF, waste collection charges and general Council charges – you cannot choose to only pay the Council portion.

By not paying the ESVF, there may possibly be a decline in Council’s revenue from rates. As Council is required to provide a portion of the collected income from rates to the State Government to finance the ESVF, Council’s ability to continue to provide the services we currently provide will be at risk if the fee is not paid.

Additionally, if your fees are left outstanding on your rates whether that be for the ESVF or for your general rates, the outstanding amount may be liable for penalty interest and possible debt recovery action under the Local Government Act 1989 and the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund 2012.

An eligible volunteer is a current volunteer member who:

• Has not been determined by the emergency service to be inactive or suspended,
• Has not received any payment in their capacity as a volunteer except reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses,
• Has completed 12 months’ service, including probation,
• Has not been on a leave of absence for the preceding 12 months.

A volunteer who has been declared a life member of the relevant emergency service (excluding where the person has been declared a life member by a brigade or unit) is also eligible.

To be eligible for claiming the volunteer rebate for the 2025-26 levy, volunteers and life members need to have met the above criteria by the 31 May 2025.

 The volunteer rebate can be claimed for one of the following:

• Your principal place of residence if you are on the title
• One parcel of primary production land in which you have a direct ownership interest or indirect ownership interest (for example, as a shareholder of a company or a trustee or beneficiary of a trust that owns the land)
• Two or more parcels of land in a single farm enterprise that you have a direct or indirect ownership interest

Eligible volunteers may choose which of their properties the rebate applies to as long as it falls into one of the above categories, land that is zoned industrial or commercial cannot have the rebate applied. Eligible volunteers are only entitled to one rebate per property per financial year.

For more information, please read the Service Victoria Volunteers Rebate Guidelines and Volunteers Rebate FAQ or call Services Victoria’s dedicated hotline for the volunteer's rebate on 1300 778 931.

I am in arrears on my rates; can I still apply?

If your rates notice has a debt of more than $50 from previous financial years, you will not be able to apply for the rebate.

How to apply for the rebate?

To apply for the rebate please visit Services Victoria - Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme.

As per Hindmarsh Shire Council’s Financial Hardship Policy(PDF, 176KB), Council can offer a payment plan to assist with the payment of rates inclusive of the ESVF.

Council can only waive or defer payment of the ESVF if it also waives or defers payment of rates for that property. Council cannot defer the ESVF while still requiring the payment of rates.

On the 30 May 2025, the Victorian State Government announced a grant of up to $5,000 available to all eligible Victorian primary producers for on-farm drought management improvements. The program will close when all funds are allocated or on 30 June 2026, whichever occurs first.

Primary Producers can apply for the grant with Rural Finance via ruralfinance.com.au.

For further information about the Farm Drought Support Grant please call 1800 260 425 during business hours.
For further information on dry seasons and drought support, please call 136 186 (DEECA).

State Revenue Office – Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

Victorian Legislation – Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025

Hindmarsh Shire – Rates and Payments

Valuer General – Information regarding valuations for rates and land tax

Victoria State Government – Rating valuation objections portal

Service Victoria – Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme

Service Victoria Volunteers Rebate Guidelines & Volunteers Rebate FAQ

Agriculture Victoria – Drought support package for Victorian farmers