The intention of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program grants is to help keep volunteers and their communities safe.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said brigades and groups from across the state were encouraged to apply for the life-saving equipment.
“VESEP supports volunteers by providing funding to replace or purchase equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers, and can also include minor facility improvements,” Mr Heffernan said.
There are five categories under which funding is available:
- Tankers
- Specialist and support vehicles
- Operational equipment
- Volunteer amenities costing less than $5000
- Minor works costing less than $250,000
“One of the key focuses of the program will be aiding those brigades that have not previously benefited under VESEP and may face challenges with fundraising,” Mr Heffernan said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced that $30 million was available for this year’s grants — double last year’s amount and the most ever available in one round — thanks to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
“It’s really exciting to be able to offer volunteers the most funding we’ve ever offered through VESEP — it’s a program that’s overwhelmed with applications every year, so this will mean more groups can get support,” Ms Symes said.
Over the next four years, an additional $62 million is being provided from the ESVF to double the VESEP — just one of the ways money raised through the fund is being used to support volunteers.
Ms Symes said that every single dollar raised by the ESVF would support the state’s emergency and disaster recovery services.
VESEP is an annual grant program that helps Victorian emergency services volunteer groups purchase essential equipment or make facility improvements so that they can strengthen and support their vital work in emergency response.
Groups can apply for a grant of up to $250,000 — a $100,000 increase on the previous maximum — with the government contributing $2 for every $1 raised by the local volunteer group.
Volunteer groups can purchase equipment including generators, pumps, utility vehicles, tankers and rescue trucks.
They can also fund minor refurbishments or amenity upgrades to their station, club or unit.
Eligible services include CFA, VicSES, Life Saving Victoria and volunteer Marine Search and Rescue units.
Over the past decade, the government has invested more than $138 million in VESEP grants to volunteer groups across the state.
The 2025-26 VESEP applications are now open and close on July 28. For more information, and to find out how to apply for a grant, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep/
