The ESVF came into effect as of 1 July 2025.
Under the new Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Act 2025, Council must collect the ESVF on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Each property is allocated an Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) by the Valuer General Victoria which is used to determine land use classification for the ESVF.
Please refer to www.sro.vic.gov.au/esvf for further information about this Victorian Government levy, or call the ESVF support line at 1300 819 033.
The State Revenue Office Victoria has also released the videos below to help explain the ESVF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alpine Shire Council has written to the Treasurer of Victoria, the Hon. Jaclyn Symes, on two occasions urging a review of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy.
You can read the full letters by clicking the links below:
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) sought legal advice on behalf of all Victorian Councils which found that a Council has a legislated duty to collect the ESVF on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Should Council refuse or fail to do so the Victorian Government can obtain an order to compel Council to collect it. It also has additional legal options available to punish a Council that does not collect the Levy.
Further to this the advice stated that if a ratepayer pays less than the aggregate of a council’s rates and charges and the Levy, a council must proportionally allocate some of the amount paid towards the levy, and that councils cannot use a separate invoice to collect the levy.
Any unpaid rates, charges or levy will be subject to recovery efforts via a collection agency and in line with Council’s Financial Hardship Policy.
An online calculator is available on the State Revenue Office's website to help calculate the amount you will need to pay for the ESVF.
You can calculate your levy by click the following link: Fire services property levy calculator | State Revenue Office
Emergency services volunteers make an enormous sacrifice for their communities and our state. To recognise their efforts, the Victorian Government has created the Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme (Volunteers Rebate).
For information on how to apply, please visit the following link: Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme | Service Victoria
For general enquiries regarding the fund, you can call the ESVF support line at 1300 819 033.
All rates notice queries should be directed to Alpine Shire Council.
For questions about the volunteers rebate scheme, please visit vic.gov.au/evrs.