Property owners are in for a nasty shock come 1 July 2025 after the Victorian Parliament recently passed into law an expanded levy. The former Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) has been changed to an Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF). While the FSPL was collected to support costs associated with Victoria’s fire authorities, the new fund will also be used to support triple zero call centres and emergency state centres.

With more services to be supported, the levy imposed on property owners will increase. This will apply to farm owners, residential land owners (including home owners) and commercial and industrial land owners. The fixed amount levy is increasing but so will the variable levy imposed based on the property’s capital improved value. The overall increase depending on the type of land owned, as well as the value of the property.

As an example, for a residential home owner, the fixed levy will increase from $132 to $136. For a home valued at $1 million, the variable levy will increase from $219 to $309. However, the percentage increases will be higher and felt more for primary production and commercial land owners and those with property values that are higher with some owners levies increasing by more than 170%.

With rates, land tax and insurances going up, it is another blow to property owners and a cost that needs to be covered. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.