From 1 July 2025, the Victorian State Government Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) will replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). This is a charge that will appear on your Council rates notice.
This new fund aims to support a broader range of emergency services, including the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
It is important to note that the City of Casey is not raising any additional revenue from the levy. The Victorian State Government have allocated Councils as the collection agency on behalf of the Victorian State Government and it will be shown as a separate charge on rates notices from 1 July.
Approximately 156,000 properties in Casey will be subject to the ESVF, with the levy calculated based on a fixed charge and a variable charge.
- 142,000 residential properties
- 7,700 commercial/industrial properties
- 300 rural properties, including primary producers. Please note: the variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7 — the same as it was in 2024-25 — for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year. This reduced rate will be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically.
Eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers, as well as pensioners, veterans, and single farm enterprises, will receive rebates. CFA and VICSES rebates will be administered through an application process directly with the Victorian State Government.
FAQs
[show_all]
- What is the ESVF?
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is a charge that Council will collect from ratepayers on behalf of the Victorian State Government. The Bill legislating the ESVF was enacted by the Victorian State Parliament on Thursday 15 May 2025.
Find out more at the Victorian Department of Treasure and Finance website.
- Why is Council collecting this fee?
From 1 July 2025, Council is legislated under the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Act 2012 to collect these fees on behalf of the Victorian State Government. If Council did not include this in the Rates Notices we would be in breach of the law. Council is not raising any additional revenue from the levy — it is merely acting as a collection agency, with the charge displayed separately on rates notices.
- What services will be funded by the ESVF?
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
- What will the funds be used for?
- Life-saving equipment and vehicles
- Training for volunteers
- Community education
- Disaster recovery support
- A rolling fleet replacement program for CFA and VICSES
- When does the ESVF start?
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 Principal Place of Residence refers to the main home where a person ordinarily lives. It’s the place they consider their permanent address, even if they occasionally stay elsewhere.
- How is ESVF charged?
The ESVF is charged in a similar manner to the Fire Services Property Levy:
- 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.
Approximately 156,000 properties in Casey will be subject to the ESVF, with the levy calculated based on a fixed charge and a variable charge.
- 142,000 residential properties
- 7,700 commercial/industrial properties
- 300 rural properties, including primary producers.
There will be rate increases across residential, commercial, industrial properties, and farms based on the Victorian State Government’s ESVF rates.
Median charges for residential properties will rise by over 30%, increasing from $191 to $254.
Median liabilities for farmers will jump by over 85%, climbing from $621 to $1,160. Please note: the variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7 — the same as it was in 2024-25 — for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year. This reduced rate will be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically.
For more information visit the State Revenue Office website:
- What happens if I don’t pay the fee?
Even though Victorian State Government charges and Council charges are listed separately on our rates notices, payments made to Council are allocated equally across all charges, regardless of whether they are State or Council charges. Council reminds ratepayers that they do not have the option to select which charges on their rates notice they wish to pay or withhold.
Where a payment is made that is less than the total amount owing for rates, charges and the Levy on a notice, Council must allocate that payment in equal proportions to Council rates and charges and the Levy – even if the ratepayer has expressly indicated they do not wish to pay any part of the Levy.
- What hardship assistance is available if I can't afford to pay?
Residents experiencing financial hardship, or who anticipate they may have difficulty paying their rates, charges and the Levy, are encouraged to contact Council to discuss their options. This may include applying for a payment plan or extension to pay. Visit our Rates and financial hardship page for more information.
- Are there rebates for pensioners?
For eligible pensioners and Department 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
- If you need to apply, you can apply on the Casey website
- What are the volunteer exemptions?
The Victorian State Government are administering the exemption for volunteers. 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.
- Does Council support the ESVF?
We value the crucial role emergency services play in supporting our Casey communities. However, we believe this increased levy unfairly places further financial pressure on our community, who are already well and truly feeling the impacts of cost-of-living pressures.
It’s important to emphasise that Council acts only as a collector of this levy, with all funds going directly to and managed by the State Government. Undertaking this role places extra pressure on Council resources.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) have sought legal advice and have advised that councils are obliged to collect the levy on behalf of the State Government.
The City of Casey is working with the Victorian State Government and other stakeholders, including the MAV, to ensure a smooth implementation within our community.
For more information about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, visit:
- https://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/emergency-services-and-volunteers-fund
- https://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-05/Emergency-Services-and-Volunteers-Fund-ESVF-Frequently-asked-questions.pdf
For more information about the volunteer rebate, visit