Volunteer emergency services across East Gippsland are being encouraged to apply for the 2026–27 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with applications opening on April 16.
The Victorian Government has announced a record $31 million allocation for the program this year, which provides matched funding to support volunteer emergency services organisations across the state.
Under VESEP, the government contributes $2 for every $1 raised by eligible volunteer groups, up to a maximum contribution of $250,000 per project.
The program supports the purchase and replacement of a range of operational equipment, including vehicles, tankers, specialist support vehicles, watercraft and trailers, as well as minor facility upgrades and volunteer amenities.
There are five funding categories available: tankers; specialist and support vehicles; operational equipment; volunteer amenities under $5,000; and minor works projects
under $250,000.
CFA acting chief officer Alen Slijepcevic AFSM said the program plays an important role in ensuring volunteer brigades have
the equipment needed to support community safety.
“VESEP grants support volunteers by providing funding to replace or purchase equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers, and can also
include minor facility improvements,” Mr Slijepcevic said.
He said the program also aims to
support brigades that have not previously received funding or may have limited fundraising capacity.
In the previous funding round, the CFA secured more than $22 million across 168 projects statewide, including the acquisition of medium and ultralight tankers, replacement of field command vehicles and upgrades to brigade facilities.
Brigades and volunteer groups are limited to one application per funding round under Emergency Management Victoria guidelines.
Applications for the 2026–27 round close on June 11, with minor works pre-registration closing on May 28. Successful projects are expected to be announced later in the year.
