This change follows a recommendation by the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission and will replace the existing insurance-based funding of the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) and Country Fire Authority (CFA). Until now, residents and businesses have made fire services contributions through their insurance premiums on property. This typically includes building and contents insurance. People with insurance against fire will from 1 July 2013 no longer pay a levy through their premiums. Instead, it will be charged on your council rates notice.
The Victorian Government has announced that the levy rate will vary for different property types such as residential, industrial and commercial. There will be a fixed component ($100 for residential and $200 for non-residential) plus a variable component calculated as a percentage on the capital improved value of a property.
The levy will be listed as a separate line item on Council's rate notices. Whilst the Government's new legislation allows for the amount of the levy to be paid by instalments or lump sum, it does not provide for incentives for early payment.
To provide a discount on Council rates and not the Government's levy would be administratively cumbersome and potentially costly. As a result, there is no benefit to continue to offer incentives for early payment.
A Victorian property owners information PDF is available to download below.
Also available is an online calculator to help you find out approximately how much you will be contributing.
The Fire Services Levy Monitor is available on:
- Phone - 1300 300 635
- Email - enquiries@firelevymonitor.vic.gov.au
- Website - www.firelevymonitor.vic.gov.au
