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Details matter
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Many would be familiar with the idiom “the devil is in the details”. Less may be familiar with the original on which it was based which was “God is in the detail”. In this instance – both aptly demonstrate my point.
Details are important.
The original reference to God being in the details was to illustrate that whatever we do, it should be done thoroughly and paying close attention to even the smallest aspects of a task or plan to achieve excellence.
The reference to the Devil being in the details is to illustrate that even seemingly minor or insignificant aspects of a task or plan can cause significant problems and unintended consequences can derail a task or plan from achieving its purpose.
In other words – while things may look simple on the surface, it is the detail and the complexity of how something works that ultimately determines if the desired outcome is achieved.
It is this point entirely, that underscores the importance of robust and genuine consultation. It’s why we do what we do. If the plan or idea does not survive the relentless probing of genuine consultation, then it is far better (and cheaper) to know that before you embark on it - than after. However, if you hide something from genuine consultation and then it starts falling apart and creating issues that keep undermining the very thing you were trying to achieve – then those consequences are on you and you alone.
This sums up my conflicting thoughts on the governments “Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme.”
At a principal level – VFBV has always maintained that volunteers should not be expected to pay for the very service they are providing their community for free.
Therefore, in achieving that outcome, we would be looking for arrangements that are fair, equitable, easy to administer, easy to understand and promotes the value of volunteering while respecting the volunteer ethos.
Surely not too much to hope for.
I don’t think anyone can reconcile the current scheme with those objectives, even if that was what was intended to be achieved. Too many people are excluded making it divisive, there are rules and rules that make trying to assess eligibility difficult, and the budget predicts it will cost millions of dollars to administer.
Even if we accept the notion that this was intended to help and recognise volunteers on face value, this is instantly washed away by the lack of engagement and consultation in its design and premise. As we have previously reported, the scheme was announced by media release late last year, without any consultation and then tinkered with in secret though the parliamentary and budgetary processes that have created such a web of intricacy and competing interests, that the chance of unintended consequences is almost guaranteed.
From a stakeholder perspective, we have been forced to strongly advocate for changes to a flawed model, uncomfortably wriggling through compromises and detail we are principally opposed, but at the same time - trying to achieve the best outcome for volunteers and the communities in which they serve.
We successfully prosecuted the argument that only recognising “active” volunteers without any processes or systems in place that allow everyone to know exactly what an active volunteer was - would require brigade Captains to determine who got a rebate and who did not, causing significant division and conflict within brigades and communities. We also argued that this would create division and demarcation between operational roles and non-operational roles. We also argued that excluding someone because they took a short leave of absence would be discriminatory for members (especially members taking maternity leave) and flew in the face of the fact that employees routinely take long service leave, annual leave and sick leave without any consequences on their entitlements – so why should volunteers be treated any different?
I am pleased to say that we have successfully resolved these issues.
And while we have been effective at influencing real change, nothing can paper over the fundamental issues at the core which simply make the scheme inequitable and will result in a lawyer’s picnic of complications and contradictions within the rules. Too many people are still excluded.
Normally I would prosecute the arguments both for or against something, however the lack of genuine consultation leaves me, you and all other volunteers completely in the dark on some of the reasoning for the convoluted detail and structure of the scheme. Their loss.
Putting all that aside – as at July 25, 2025 the scheme is now open, and eligible volunteers who have received their rates notice on an eligible property can apply for a rebate.
Members will need to log into their CFA Members Online account on the CFA website as the first step. We have worked hard with CFA to try and make this first part of the process as easy as possible.
If you haven’t logged in to your CFA account since the introduction of two factor authentication (2FA), then this will need to be setup. For every member that has not yet registered for 2FA, if your mobile number or email address is on your CFA record, then you have been pre-enrolled in 2FA automatically, using your phone or email to receive the verification code. You can change this later should you desire.
Brigade Captains have been sent a letter detailing any members within your brigade that did not have either a phone number or email and therefore could not be pre-enrolled, so that personal assistance could be offered.
Once you have successfully logged in, click on the “ESVF Rebate Portal” tile on the front page of the members area. CFA honorary life members who are no longer members, may access a separate process via a link on the public page of the CFA website.
The CFA portal will do a preliminary verification of your CFA records and tell you if you are eligible based on your current records. To be eligible you must: have served for at least 12 months; completed your initial probation; you were not suspended on disciplinary grounds; and you have not taken a leave of absence for the whole preceding 12 months. All these criteria are assessed as at the 31 May.
Once you pass this step a digital record will be instantly added to CFA’s database, that will now allow you to proceed to the Department of Government Services portal, letting them know you have passed your CFA eligibility test.
Now some will ask why there are two portals, and in the spirit of transparency, VFBV strongly advocated that no private or personal CFA membership data be shared with the government, which would have been required had members not accessed a CFA portal first. We advocated for this based on the feedback we received from volunteers during the recent introduction of drivers having to enter their license details onto CFA systems. Feedback was very clear on the importance members place on privacy and security of the information that CFA stores on them and the need to protect from identify theft.
We were also cognisant of how poor CFA records can be at times. We have seen this first hand when assisting sick volunteers through the presumptive cancer legislation process. We didn’t want a volunteer to be at the mercy of a bureaucrat who had no understanding of how CFA works trying to sort out an incorrect membership record.
So, under this system – if you fail the initial eligibility on the CFA end, you can request a manual intervention where a member of CFA staff will manually go through your membership records and help you fix any legitimate errors that are impacting on your eligibility before you apply for the rebate.
So yes – there are two steps – but we feel this is justified in the circumstances. VFBV is also willing to defend this step because CFA genuinely consulted with us during the development of their portal which gives us confidence this is the best method available and we were able to consider the alternatives. The same cannot be said for the next steps which have all been done by government without any engagement with volunteers.
Once you pass the CFA eligibility test, which is all done in real time and can be done in seconds - you will then be provided a link to the Government Services Portal and you are handed over to a government process of which CFA has no control.
On this portal you will need your CFA volunteer number; your rates notice; and proof of identification such as a driver’s license. Members receiving paper copies of their rates notice will also need to know how to scan and upload their notice. Our calls for a paper application, or in person application to cater for members who do not have reliable internet access or who are not computer literate have so far been ignored. But they have provided a hotline 1300 778 931 available during business hours to assist.
The Government portal will then compare your details with all the other data sets that government holds, including a title search on the property, to inform your eligibility.
Once your application is lodged – you will then need to wait for your application to be reviewed. Once approved you will then have the value of your rebate deposited to your nominated bank account. You can then proceed to pay your rates bill in whatever method you usually choose.
The government FAQ’s state most applicants will receive an outcome within 30 days.
One of the biggest issues we see arising is the case of the property not being in a member’s name on the title. This is likely to be a regular occurrence, especially in the case of rural land holdings, or properties that are held in a spouse’s name. And while you have an avenue to go to demonstrate your ownership in the case of land held in trust or via a company structure, a simple family home that is not registered in the same name as the eligible volunteer is likely to be determined ineligible for rebate under the current rules.
Again, we would encourage volunteers who find they are ineligible for the rebate to make contact with their local MP, especially given the lengths the Premier has gone to deflect any criticism of their new emergency services tax on the basis that all volunteers would be exempt.
Sadly, the devil was in the detail. We encourage members who intend on claiming the rebate to do so as soon as they get their rates notice, to factor in the time it takes for your application to be reviewed. We also encourage members to familiarise themselves with the FAQs found at https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs
VFBV Board
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2025. All are eligible for re-appointment.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to VFBV at the board level.
The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 1st September 2025.
CFA External Review of Culture and Issues Management
CFA has commissioned Dr Helen Szoke AO and Allen & Clarke to undertake an evaluation of progress made against the recommendations made in the original External Review of Culture and Issues Management that was undertaken in 2022.
The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the work that’s been undertaken by CFA and propose future actions to improve culture improvements.
As part of the evaluation, a desktop review has been undertaken which has helped inform the development of five discussion papers which will act as conversation starters on topics including:
- Volunteers as a core strength
- Leadership and Management
- Gender Equality
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Complaints Management and Resolutions Support
You can view conversation staters on the above topics in the CFA Members Online.
The review team are seeking interested volunteers and staff to register their interest in being part of the evaluation by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or completing the EOI form that can be found by following the above link in the CFA members area.
CFA Board
VFBV welcomes the appointment of volunteer nominee Bryce Morden to the CFA Board, replacing retiring member Beth Davidson OAM, and welcomes the re-appointment of volunteer nominee Ross Coyle AFSM.
Bryce joined CFA in 2005 at Maffra, before transferring to Timboon in 2010 where he has served as Captain, Group Training and currently serves as a DGO for the Apostles Group in District 6. Bryce is an experience Board director, and brings extensive leadership experience in emergency services, regional development and community engagement. Ross and Bryce’s terms will expire on the 16 June, 2028.
We take this opportunity to thank Beth for her significant contribution as a volunteer nominee to the CFA Board over the past six years. Beth had previously served on the CFA Board as a local government representative, underlining the outstanding contribution she has made to CFA over the years. Beth was a passionate advocate for community safety and engagement and highlighting the importance of partnering with communities. She was also a staunch advocate for volunteer empowerment and safety. We wish her all the best.
VFBV also congratulates the government nominee’s Rachel Thomson and Anthony Peake OAM who were re-appointed to the CFA Board for another three-year term.
Lead Loddon Murray Program Opportunities
Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2026 Lead Loddon Murray Program (also known as the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program LMCLP). The program delivers a year of community leadership development between March and November with face-to-face program days, residential retreats and online program sessions featuring a diverse range of subject matter experts, guest speakers, previous program graduates and government representatives.
The 2026 LMCLP is open to residents who live in the following municipalities: Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander, Northern Grampians and Swan Hill. CFA sponsors a number of places on the LMCLP each year for CFA members interested in participating through the Volunteer Leadership Development Program.
Expression of interest in the 2026 program can be completed online here. If CFA members would like more information about the program please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VESEP closed
Applications for this year’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), closed on 28 July, 2025.
District Planning Committee’s will now be meeting to endorse and rank applications from each District, before sending their endorsements to the CFA State Steering Committee by the 18th August, 2025.
We wish all brigades the best of luck in their applications. This was the 25th year of the successful program which was a VFBV initiative and designed in close collaboration with volunteers for volunteers.
VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding and is designed for brigades to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements. The program offers five categories plus Statewide & DPC Local Initiatives: - Primary Response Appliances; Specialist & Support Vehicles; Operational Equipment; Volunteer Amenities $<5K; Minor Works $<250K
VFBV wishes everyone the best in their applications and will continue to assist and support you in protecting Victorian communities.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups who have reaffiliated and helped us stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community in which we all protect.
It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which since its inception has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Over the past 12 months, VFBV has had to strongly advocate on presumptive cancer legislation, the Fiskville redress scheme, volunteers injured performing CFA duties and requiring fair compensation, the governments new emergency services tax and volunteer rebate, improvements to the GFF program and other training initiatives, improvements to the CFA Regulations, CFA/FRV secondment arrangements, the ageing CFA truck fleet and the inadequacy of the CFA budget and base funding to just name a few.
Fire Wise – August 2025 online only edition
The August 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website for a small subscription fee.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
VFBV Board Vacancies 2025 – Invitation to apply
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
Presumptive Legislation Update
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