Governance and funding

State Government Acts and Regulations

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) (as of 1 January 2011) formerly the New South Wales Fire Brigades (NSWFB), created in 1910, is the State Government agency responsible for the provision of fire, rescue and hazmat services in cities and towns across New South Wales in accordance with the Fire and Rescue NSW Act 1989 [external link], the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 [external link] and other related legislation.

All Acts and Regulations listed below link to the NSW legislation website.

Funding

How we are funded

The Treasurer sets the amount of the FRNSW budget each year.

There are three contributors to the total. The insurance industry contributes 73.7%. Local government contributes 11.7%. The State Government contributes 14.6%.

The insurance industry is required, as a condition of doing business in NSW, to remit its 73.7% from the insurance premiums it receives. The total premium income of the insurance companies is not subject to contribution. For instance, only half of a company's income from household insurance premiums is counted, and only 2.5% of motor vehicle premium income.

Local government councils only pay their 11.7% for FRNSW if FRNSW has a station in their "Fire Districts". All councils in the Sydney area are required to contribute because they are part of the "Sydney Fire District".

Outside Sydney, the Councils in many towns and cities from Albury to Young contribute 11.7% for the local FRNSW Fire Brigade.

Although FRNSW does hazmat everywhere and not just in Fire Districts, Councils that don't have a Fire Station of FRNSW in town do not contribute.

The State Government contributes the other 14.6% from the Consolidated Fund. While not everyone in the State contributes the same amount, we all contribute to some extent.

Through taking out insurance, many people contribute when they pay their insurance. The insurance company shows a separate amount on their invoice notice, which they call "fire service levy". This amount is only an estimate of what the insurance company itself will pay. Insurance companies are not required to do any reconciliation between what they show on your premium, and what they actually remit.

Local government (Councils) remit the amount FRNSW calculates as their share. When you pay rates, or pay rent to a landlord who pays rates, you contribute to the Council's contribution.

We all contribute to the State's 14.6% when we pay taxes.

Resilience NSW [external link] is the central billing and distribution agency for contributions from insurance companies and local government councils for FRNSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service.

Charges

Under Fire and Rescue NSW Act 1989, Part 4 [external link], Fire and Rescue NSW can recover costs for some services.

FRNSW does not charge for attendance at fires, rescue operations, or hazardous materials incidents where the response duration is less than one hour.

Charges may apply for some services. Click here to view more information about our charges.

Donations and charities

Learn how we support the community through donations and charity programs here.