Emergency Services Levy

About the Emergency Services Levy

The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) is an annual charge paid by all property owners in South Australia.

Every dollar raised through the ESL pays for the delivery of critical and life-saving fire and emergency services across the State.

If you are a property owner, the amount of ESL you are required to pay is published in your property’s local government rate notice.

The amount is marked “Emergency Services Levy” so you can distinguish the ESL amount from other local government charges. When you pay your rate notice, your local government forwards the ESL amount to the Department of Treasury and Finance. The ESL is then distributed to the emergency service activities of government agencies, and non-government organisations. This includes the South Australia Police operations in response to emergency situations and rescues, the Department for Environment and Water for its bushfire management operations, and the South Australian Ambulance Service towards its Special Operations Team used for high-risk rescue. Non-government organisations such as Volunteer Marine Rescue and Surf Life Saving South Australia receive funding towards their emergency service operations and infrastructure needs. This includes the cost of the fixed and rotary wing aerial shark patrol for our metropolitan beaches during the summer months. 

No matter where you live in South Australia, you will see the direct result of your ESL being invested in the community.