The 2017/18 Fire Services Property Levy, in place to fund the State’s vital fire services, will collect the same amount as in 2016/17.

This will mean Victorian property owners in each land use category will on average contribute the same – or in some cases less – to the levy this financial year as they did last financial year.

For the next two years, the existing Metropolitan Fire District Boundary will remain in place for the purpose of determining whether Metropolitan Fire Brigade or Country Fire Authority levy rates apply.

The levy includes a fixed charge as well as a variable cost that is calculated depending on the type of property you own, its capital improved value and the area in which the property is located.

The fixed charge component of the levy will grow in line with CPI, moving from $105 to $107 for residential properties, and $213 to $216 for non-residential properties, for the 2017/18 year.

Variable rates for all land use categories will fall in 2017/18 compared to the last financial year. Furthermore, the Government will ensure that the total amount collected annually for the levy for the next two years (2017/18 and 2018/19) will not exceed the amount collected in 2016/17.

All revenue collected through the levy goes to supporting the State’s fire services including vital life-saving equipment, firefighters, staff and volunteers, training, infrastructure and community education.

Under the Labor Government’s reforms to Victoria’s fire services, the amount received from the Fire Services Property Levy will not change for two years, while the reforms are rolled out.

Further information can be found at firelevy.vic.gov.au where the levy calculator can be used to estimate the levy amount associated with your property.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“Since coming into office we’ve tidied up this levy to ensure it’s now doing its job for our fire services to properly protect Victorian lives and homes.”

“The Andrews Labor Government continues to ensure our services are well funded, so firefighters can get on with the vital and courageous service they provide to communities throughout Victoria.”

“We’re making sure our firefighters – the men and women who do tremendous and dangerous work – have the funding and resources they need to protect Victorian homes and lives.”