Farmer News
1 July, 2025
Grants now open for brigades
CFA brigades across the district are encouraged to apply for funding in the next round of volunteer equipment grants.
Applications for the 2025-26 round of the Volunteer Emergency Service Equipment Program (VESEP) are now open.
This year the government has announced an additional $15 million in funding.
Under the program, the state government will match every dollar paid by volunteer groups with a $2 co-contribution to a maximum contribution of $250,000.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said brigades and groups were encouraged to apply for the life-saving equipment which help protect communities.
“VESEP supports volunteers by providing funding to replace or purchase equipment such as vehicles, tankers, watercraft, trailers and can also include minor facility improvements,” Jason said.
Funding is available in five categories: tankers, specialist and support vehicles, operational equipment, volunteer amenities costing less than $5000, and minor works costing less than $250,000.
“One of the key focuses of the program will be aiding those brigades that have not previously benefitted under VESEP and may face challenges with fundraising,” Jason said.
In the previous round of funding, CFA received more than $11 million across 167 successful VESEP projects.
This included six light tankers, 15 ultralight tankers, six new Big Fills and the replacement of 18 field command vehicles.
The 2024-25 round also funded more than 40 brigades for minor works at their stations.
Brigades and groups can only apply for one project per funding round, as per emergency management Victoria guidelines.
Application documents, vehicle flyers, program guidelines and further information is available on members online.
Applications for the 2025-26 funding round will close on July 28, 2025.
Successful projects will be announced later in the year.