Victorian fire service levy will be cut for homeowners

An array of changes have been announced to the fire service levy that’s used to fund the CFA and MFB — and homeowners’ hip-pockets are the big winners.

Victoria’s fire service levy, which is used to fund the CFA and MFB, will be cut for homeowners across the state under a new streamlined system. Picture: David Caird

Victoria’s fire service levy will be cut for homeowners across the state under a new streamlined system.

A single Fire Services Property Levy, which is the state government tax used to fund the CFA and MFB, will now apply to all residential properties regardless of their location.

But the fee will increase for some non-residential properties, with the hike ranging from $1 a week for small business to $15.50 a week for a $10 million commercial property.

The state government has already frozen the levy for the next financial year in response to the coronavirus crisis.

The new measure means from July all residential properties across the state will see a fall in their levy rate.

Industrial or commercial properties in the old CFA district will either see no increase, or a decrease in their rate.

The levy will remain about $150 for a typical metropolitan residence.

The changes follow the establishment of Fire Rescue Victoria which will see current metropolitan and regional fire district boundaries abolished.

“Whether you live on a rural property or a city apartment, fire is a deadly and dangerous threat,” treasurer Tim Pallas said.

“We’re making sure the men and women who keep us safe have the resources they need to do what they do best.”

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