Calculating the emergency services and volunteers fund

Description

This video outlines how the emergency services and volunteers fund is calculated in 2 parts: a fixed charge and a variable charge.

Transcript

The emergency services and volunteers fund, or ESVF, supports the vital services of a broader range of emergency services that respond to fires, floods, storms and other emergencies in Victoria.

The ESVF is calculated in 2 parts: a fixed charge based on your property's classification, and a variable charge based on your property's classification and capital improved value, or CIV.

Different property classifications carry different fixed and variable charges.

Here's an example. Meet Anna. Anna owns a house with a capital improved value of $700,000.

For residential properties in 2025–26, the fixed charge is $136.

The variable rate is 17.3 cents for every $1,000 of CIV.

Here's how to calculate the variable charge.

Divide the capital improved value by 1,000, then multiply by the variable rate.

Add the fixed charge to the variable charge to get Anna's total ESVF payable.

If Anna holds a pensioner concession card, or an eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card, she may qualify for a $50 concession.

Remember, Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service and Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad volunteers are eligible for a rebate on the ESVF payable on their principal place of residence.

Alternatively, if the volunteer owns a farm, the rebate can apply to the ESVF payable on the farm up to a limit, which this year is $1,710.

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