New tax to hit Victorians ‘hard’

By Georgia Tacey

Apr 1, 2025

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has criticised the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund, as it comes “in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis”. Photo by Supplied

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe says a new tax introduced by the Victorian Government will hit “regional Victorians particularly hard”.

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The government says the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund, which replaces the Fire Services Property Levy, will help support a broader range of emergency services.

For the first time, the fund will support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria.

The changes will come into effect on July 1, which will see variable rates increasing to raise additional revenue to fund the services covered by the fund. This will still be collected by local councils in residents’ rates.

Victorian homeowners are expected to pay 17.3 cents for every $1000 in capital improved value — up from 8.7 cents from the former levy.

Commercial and industrial landowners will both pay 133 cents, compared to 66.4 and 81.1 cents respectively, and primary production landowners 83 cents, compared to 28.7 cents.

Ms O’Keeffe said the tax also included rental providers being charged a higher rate than owner occupiers.

“This will simply take more houses out of the rental market at a time when we have a housing crisis,” she said.

“Labor is once again adding another tax as they battle their out-of-control debt, hitting rental providers and regional Victorians particularly hard.

“People in our community shouldn’t have to hand over even more money to the government to fund what should be core government services.”