What is the rebate and who can claim it?
The rebate is a discount on the ESVF portion of your council rates. It is available to eligible volunteers and life members who give their time to specific emergency service organisations.
To be eligible, you must be a volunteer or life member of one of the following:
- Country Fire Authority (CFA)
- Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
- Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad (SSRS)
For volunteers, there are a few conditions:
- You must have completed at least 12 months of service.
- You cannot be inactive, suspended, or have been on a leave of absence for the entire past year.
- Your role must be unpaid, although you can be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.
For life members:
- You must be a life member of the organisation itself, not just a specific brigade or unit.
To qualify for the rebate in any given financial year, you need to have met these criteria on 31 May of that year.
Which properties are eligible for the rebate?
You can claim the rebate on one property per financial year. You have a choice between a few different property types, but there are some rules.
You can claim the rebate on:
- Your principal place of residence: This is your main home, and it must be owned in your personal name.
- A parcel of farmland: You can claim it on farmland where you have a direct or indirect ownership interest, for example, as a shareholder in a company that owns the land.
The rebate for farmland is capped at $1,710. It is also important to know that only one rebate can be paid per property in a single year.
How to apply for your rebate
This is the most important part to get right. Applying for the rebate is a personal process that you must complete yourself through your organisation's online portal.
Here is what you will need to get started:
- Your unique volunteer member number.
- Your council rates notice for the current financial year (2025-26).
- A valid identity document, like a driver's licence or passport.
Once you have these documents ready, you will need to log on to your specific volunteer portal.
- CFA volunteers and life members: You can apply through the CFA's online volunteer portal.
- VICSES and SSRS volunteers: You can apply through the VICSES online volunteer portal.
An important note for our clients
While we are here to help you understand your financial picture, the Eligible Volunteers Rebate is something you must claim yourself. Due to the personal nature of the volunteer portals and the identity verification required, this is not a process we can complete on your behalf. The application must be submitted directly by you.
You can apply HERE.
Don't miss out on what you're owed
The government has set this scheme up to give back to those who give so much to our communities. Taking the time to apply ensures you receive the financial recognition you have earned. You have up to two years to apply for the rebate, so there is plenty of time to get your documents in order.
Understanding how government rebates and levies affect your overall financial situation can sometimes feel overwhelming. While we cannot lodge this specific rebate for you, we can certainly help you with broader financial planning and strategy. If you have questions about how to manage your finances or want to ensure you are making the most of your money, chatting to someone at LEAD is a great place to start. We can help you navigate the complexities and build a clear path forward.
