Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF)

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

Find out more at the Victorian Department of Treasure and Finance website.

Council is legislated under the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Act 2012 to collect these fees on behalf of the State Government.

Council must pay the fees to the State Government. All monies collected by Council is required to be equally apportioned over all outstanding rates and charges – this means that rates will be allocated a certain amount as will the ESVF and the waste charges – so ultimately there could be a risk to rates income and the services Council provides to its community if the fee is not paid.

Yes - under Council’s policy, any moneys received from a customer must be applied proportionately across all rates and charges (including FSPL/ESVF). Council cannot allow ratepayers to choose which charges to pay for that are allocated on their notice.

If you deliberately leave their ESVF funds unpaid, the amount may be liable for penalty interest and possible debt recovery action under Local Government Act 1989 and the ESVF Act 2012.

We therefore recommend if you wish to deliberately leave the amount unpaid to first 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.

Instructions and timelines for objections will be included on the 2025/2026 rates notice.

Council continues to provide existing rate relief options via payment plans. It is important to note here that rates relief will only be applied to those who are unable to pay.

Council cannot enter into a Plan or Agreement where customers wish to remove the ESVF component of the total rates bill. 

If you cannot meet the minimum requirements for a Payment Plan you can apply for a hardship agreement or you can make an appointment with Council and someone from our Rates Team will support, you through the process by calling 1300 368 333.

ESVF will fund the following emergency services:

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

• Life-saving equipment and vehicles
• Training for volunteers
• Community education
• Disaster recovery support
• A rolling fleet replacement program for CFA and VICSES 

The ESVF will be rolled out over two years

• 1 July 2025 – Increase in charges and volunteer exemptions introduced
• 1 July 2026 – Principal place of Residence (PPR) vs Non-PPR Residential charges introduced

The ESVF is charged in a similar manner to the Fire Services Property Levy however there is also a variable charge based on property value:

• A fixed charge depending on your property type (determined by AVPCC – Land use code) plus
• A variable charge based on your property’s capital improved value. 

The cost of the ESVF is substantially higher for ratepayers. Overall Yarra Ranges Council will be required to collect over 40% more under ESVF than FSPL.

Some information is available on the Victorian State Dept of Treasury and Finance.

For eligible pensioners and Dept of Veteran Affairs card holders, a rebate will still be applied to the ESVF for $50. Pensioners already receiving the rebate do not need to reapply.

Find out more about rebates for pensioners or apply online.

The State are administering the exemption for volunteers. Ratepayers cannot accept any applications for volunteer exemption.

The following volunteers will be eligible to apply for a rebate:

• Active emergency service volunteers (CFA and VICSES)
• Life members
• Have served for 12 months
• Have passed probation
• Not been suspended on disciplinary grounds or taken a leave of absence for the entire duration of the preceding 12 months. 

Farming Enterprises that have multiple properties within Victoria, that meet the farmland criteria may only have to pay the fixed component of Primary Production ESVF charges for one of those properties.

There are many criteria that apply to this exemption, and you can contact Property Rating Services Team to determine if you’re eligible. 

At each stage Yarra Ranges Council has voiced concerns to the State Government and advocacy groups, about the impact of the ESVF on;

• Ratepayers, already in a cost-of-living crisis.
• Council’s already limited resources
• Complications added to the rating system.

Despite concerns from Council and other Victorian Councils, the fund was passed in State Parliament in May 2025.

Council is a listed ‘collection agency’ under the ESVF Act 2012, and is legally required to charge, collect and remit the ESVF.