The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF)

From 1 July 2025, the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) has been replaced with the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF). This is a Victorian Government charge, not a council fee.

The ESVF funds vital emergency and disaster response services across the state, including fire services, State Emergency Service operations, and volunteer support. All funds are collected by the State Revenue Office and passed on to the Victorian Government.

Yarra Council opposes this levy and will continue to work with other Council’s across Victoria to campaign against the levy. Council has no choice to collect this levy and is disappointed that this charge will appear on the rates notice.

The ESVF will appear as a separate line on your rates notice, clearly designated as a State Government charge. For information on concessions, volunteers and how the levy may affect you, visit the State Revenue Office Victoria website.