The Andrews Labor Government is giving volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for grants of up to $150,000 to help buy operational equipment and fund minor facility upgrades.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville announced today that applications were open for the 2019–20 round of Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program funding.
Under the program, the Government matches every $1 paid by volunteer groups with a $2 co-contribution up to $150,000.
The grants can be used to help fund operational equipment, including the purchase of new vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers.
Volunteer groups can also put the money towards minor facility improvements.
Almost $13.9 million in Government contributions are available to volunteer organisations across the state in this round of grants, including:
- More than $10 million for volunteer CFA brigades
- More than $2.3 million for Victoria State Emergency Service units
- More than $330,000 for Marine Search and Rescue, including the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association
- Almost $800,000 for Life Saving Victoria clubs
- More than $360,000 for other volunteer agencies.
More than $77 million has been allocated to the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program over the last five years.
For more information about the grants go to
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program provides our hard-working and dedicated volunteers with the equipment they need to respond to emergencies and keep Victorians safe.”
“Last year, we increased the grant’s maximum co-contribution to $150,000 to ensure volunteer agencies will continue to have access to the life-saving equipment they need, and I encourage them all to apply.”
“These grants were established almost two decades ago and are a proud legacy of the Labor Government supporting our state’s selfless volunteers.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020