KEY POINTS

• The NSW Government recently increased its Emergency Services Levy for the 2023/24 financial year.
• To comply with our financial obligations to the NSW Government, insurers have adjusted their SME and Corporate Property rates from 25% to 29.5%.
• These changes apply to renewals and new businesses from 1 July 2023.
• Commercial Motor Fleet and Non-Fleet Motor Emergency Services Levy rates will not be affected by the increase.

Summary of rate changes

Product Class	Current Rate	New Rate (as of 1 July 2023)
SME Property	25%	29.5%
Corporate Property (ISR)*	25%	29.5%

* Industrial Special Risk Insurance

 More on the NSW Emergency Services Levy

We’ve summarised key information about the NSW Emergency Services Levy, for anyone who wants to dig deeper.

 What is the NSW Emergency Services Levy?

The Emergency Services Levy is a payment used by the NSW Government to fund emergency services agencies in NSW. These services include:

• Rural Fire Services
• Fire and Rescue NSW
• State Emergency Services

The levy is a compulsory requirement of most insurance policies in the state. It is added to the base premium of SME Property, Corporate Property and other property-related policies every year. Your certificate of insurance includes an estimate of how much of the levy is included in your premium.

We can also provide you with this information if you’re unsure of your rate.

Who pays the NSW Emergency Services Levy?

Anyone with home, contents or motor insurance in NSW pays the Emergency Services Levy. This includes anyone who holds insurance for commercial property in NSW.

Who collects the NSW Emergency Services Levy?

Revenue NSW collects the Emergency Services Levy under the Emergency Services Levy Act 2017. These funds are collected from insurance companies, foreign insured policy holders and local councils.

As an insurer, they are required to charge a rate for the Emergency Services Levy against property-related insurance premiums in NSW. This rate is then passed directly to Revenue NSW, who distribute the funds appropriately.

What constitutes property in NSW?

According to Revenue NSW property relates to:

• Any insurance of property (including consequential loss).
• House owners and house holders, however designated (including buildings, contents or both).
• Personal clothing, jewellery, effects and works of art.
• Motor vehicle and motorcycle.
• Marine and baggage, which includes insurances relating to maritime perils or risks involving sea, land or air transportation, including storage but not static risks (movements of stock, goods or material related to storage operations or processing). This includes combined fire and hail on growing crops and livestock.

How does the Emergency Services Levy benefit people in NSW?

Every person in NSW benefits from funding collected under the Emergency Services Levy, even if they don’t contribute to it. Funds are used to ensure vital services are readily available to anyone needing emergency assistance.

The NSW Government uses funds to ensure emergency services agencies have access to quality equipment, training and other resources critical to providing effective and timely emergency services within the state.

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