Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is a charge that Council will collect from ratepayers on behalf of the State Government.

Council is legislated under the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Act 2012 to collect these fees on behalf of the State Government. If Council did not include this in the Rates Notices we would be in breach of the law.

Any payment received by Council is split proportionally between Council rates and charges and State Government charges as per State legislation.

Ultimately, by electing not to pay the State Government charges, Council's revenue from rates may potentially reduce and the ability to continue with the services Council currently provide maybe put at risk.

Further, if fees are left outstanding on your rates whether that be for Council or State Government charges, the amount may be liable for penalty interest and possible debt recovery action under the Local Government Act 1989 and the ESVF Act 2012.

Council therefore recommend if you wish to deliberately leave the amount unpaid to seek independent legal advice on the matter.

While a ratepayer cannot object to the levy itself you may object to the following:

Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) Land Use code - this code determines the category that you pay, eg you can contend that your property is not primary production and should be residential.

Valuation – The Capital Improved Valuation that is applied to a property determines the variable component of the ESVF.

If you disagree with your valuation and are successful in objecting to its value, your rates and ESVF will decrease accordingly. You can apply to object to your valuation via Council's website. 

The ESVF continues to support fire services and now also funds a broader range of emergency services that respond to floods, storms and other emergencies. These include:

• Fire Rescue Victoria 
• Country Fire Authority (CFA)
• Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
• Triple Zero Victoria
• Emergency Management Victoria
• Forest Fire Management Victoria
• State Control Centre
• Emergency Recovery Victoria

The ESVF is made up of 2 parts:

A fixed charge based on your property classification.

A variable charge based on your property’s capital improved value (CIV) and classification.

If you're a volunteer with an emergency services organisation, you may be eligible for an ESVF rebate.

You can apply if you are an active volunteer with the:

• Country Fire Authority
• Victoria State Emergency Service
• Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad.

The rebate is:

• the full ESVF amount for the property you own that is your PPR
• up to $1,710 for your farm.

You can only claim one rebate per financial year and you must reapply for the rebate every year. You can claim the rebate before or after you pay. Please visit the website below to complete the online form.

For more information visit: Service Vic | eligible volunteers rebate scheme

You may be eligible for a concession or exemption on your ESVF.

Concession

If you hold an eligible concession card, you can receive a $50 reduction on your ESVF. This applies to:

• Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card.

Single farm enterprise exemption

If you operate a single farm enterprise across multiple properties, you may only have to pay one fixed charge.

Council has voiced concerns to the State Government and advocacy groups about the impact of the ESVF.

Despite concerns from West Wimmera Shire Council and other Victorian councils, the fund was passed in State Parliament in May 2025.

Further information on Council's stance is available on Council's media release on the ESVF.