In response to the 2019/20 fire season, which left devastating impacts, generous donations were made by people in Australia and around the world. The RFS Benevolent Fund was established to support those affected using the funds donated.
Our mission is to provide charitable support to RFS members and their families to ensure they receive the support and services that they need, when they most need it.
In response to the 2019/20 fire season, which left devastating impacts, generous donations were made by people in Australia and around the world. The RFS Benevolent Fund was established to support those affected using the funds donated.
Our mission is to provide charitable support to RFS members and their families to ensure they receive the support and services that they need, when they most need it.
The RFS Benevolent Fund was created to assist RFS members and their families experiencing significant hardship, particularly where those members have been fatally injured or are facing significant injury as a result of participation in firefighting activities.
We will do this by:
The RFS Benevolent Fund provides comprehensive welfare support as well as urgent and direct financial support to eligible RFS members and their families.
Our primary focus is on providing support to RFS members and their families experiencing significant hardship, particularly where those members have been fatally injured or are facing significant injury as a result of participation in firefighting activities.
The RFS Benevolent Fund complements support provided by the DGR Trust Fund and RFSA funds, and provides support in addition to the RFS services and benefits already available.
Our website is the best source of information. It has everything you need to know about the RFS Benevolent Fund, supporting resources and details to get in touch and donate.
The RFS Benevolent Fund is established under the terms of its Constitution which sets out its charitable objects. It has been endorsed as a public benevolent institution charity by the ACNC and its charitable purpose is overseen by its Board of Directors who are responsible for ensuring that the charity meets its mission to support RFS members and their families.
Find out more about our Directors.
If you have any questions, we're available to help via email or phone.
Email: Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 8741 4980
Under our charitable objects, to be eligible for support from the RFS Benevolent Fund, you will be an RFS member or a family member suffering from poverty, distress or significant hardship, particularly where those members have been fatally injured or are facing significant injury as a result of participation in firefighting activities.
For further details on eligibility, you can refer to the Eligibility Policy and Applicant Support Guide. Please note that, at all times, support is provided at the determination of the Board.
We accept applications from both current members who are serving and former members who have retired or resigned.
Yes, you can still apply. We review individual circumstances and existing support to assess eligibility.
You can apply at any time that you are eligible, experiencing significant hardship and require support. You will need to apply again if you have already received funds from the RFS Benevolent Fund to re-assess your circumstances. Further applications can be made on an annual basis.
If you have accessed other support avenues, such as insurance, before applying to the RFS Benevolent Fund, you need to include this in your application. This helps us conduct a proper assessment of your application and ensures there is no overlap or duplication.
Your application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the amount for successful applicants will vary depending on your circumstances.
We understand that individual circumstances require different types of support. You can receive the following types of support:
a) Cash grants: A one-off cash grant.
b) Help to meet your essential needs: Funds to pay or reimburse essential expenses such as medical expenses.
c) Interest-free loan: Interest-free funds while you wait for other support payments such as insurance payouts.
d) Counselling and referral programs: The RFS Benevolent Fund can help fund counselling and other support for you and your family.
e) RFS Community Support: Case managers can help you stay connected with other members of the RFS family through community events.
You will need to sign a letter of commitment that may include the terms or required information regarding the support provided.
Decisions may be reviewed in limited circumstances, such as if there has been an error. You can seek a review by contacting the case manager, who will refer your application for an internal review. You will need to provide further supporting documentation or information that will support the review of the decision. If your circumstances have changed you will need to reapply.
You can apply through the website, either directly through the online form or by downloading the PDF version and emailing it to Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au. You can also apply on someone else's behalf. The process is the same, you just need to attach the necessary signed consent.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application within 30 days. This can occur more quickly if you are in urgent need.
Yes, you can apply on someone else's behalf with their consent. You will need to provide signed consent for the application.
Where possible include the following information in your application: full name and address; proof of identification; details of the hardship you are facing and type of assistance you need; details of any insurance or other support avenues you have applied for, received or are about to receive; documents that you think are relevant to support your application, such as medical bills; and any other supporting documents.If you can't answer some questions, or don't have certain information or supporting documents, we encourage you to fill out as much as possible and submit your application. An RFS assessment committee representative will follow up with you later.
Yes, you can still apply. We understand not all applicants will have the necessary identification documents readily available. We encourage you to fill out as much as possible and submit your application. An RFS assessment committee representative will contact you later to confirm your identity.
There is no closing date for applications. You can apply at any time when you or the beneficiary you are applying on behalf of are experiencing significant hardship.
At this time, we cannot provide progress updates. If you haven't heard back after 30 days, feel free to contact us for an update via email Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 8741 4980.
Conditional donations will need to be considered by the Board.
Our initial provision originated from generous donations from the community raised in the wake of the 2019/20 fire season, however we need ongoing contributions so that support for RFS members and their families suffering significant hardship can continue to be provided. By donating, you are actively making an impact to RFS members and their families.
Yes, fundraising for the RFS Benevolent Fund is encouraged. We can provide assistance with fundraising activities conducted by brigades or by other community members on the RFS Benevolent Fund's behalf. To find out more, please contact us via email at Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 8741 4980.
You can donate through the Shout for Good and Paypal platforms set up for the RFS Benevolent Fund, or by credit card facility available on the RFS Benevolent Fund website. All of the payment options are provided on the website.
Yes, donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Yes, we are open to corporate partnerships and fundraising. For further enquiries, please contact us via email at Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 8741 4980.
Yes, recurring donations are available to be set up via Paypal or the Shout for Good donation platforms.
A valid tax-deductible receipt will be provided directly and immediately to you by the platform you donate through, whether that is the Shout for Good or PayPal platforms set up for the RFS Benevolent Fund, or via the credit card facility available on the RFS Benevolent Fund website. Note: The Australian Taxation Office has advised that a bank statement or copy of the transfer details is sufficient evidence of donation for taxation purposes.
We currently accept donations in Australian currency via the Shout for Good or PayPal platforms set up for the RFS Benevolent Fund, or credit card facility accessible via the website.
Refunds can be requested in line with the refund policies of the platform you donated through, such as Shout for Good or PayPal. For credit card donation refunds you can contact us directly via email at Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au
Overall donation impact will be updated via our website and newsletter.
Yes, upon request, you can be recognised for your valued support on the RFS Benevolent Fund website.
We accept donations from:
• Individuals
• Companies
• Brigades
• Organisations
• Private ancillary funds
• Other charities and foundations whose values and objectives align to our own.
Acceptance of donations will ultimately be at the determination of the Board.
We respect your right to privacy and are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our members and website visitors. The RFS Benevolent Fund adheres to the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and, where relevant, Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW). For full details, refer to the Privacy Policy.
Under the terms of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), your identification records will be kept for a maximum of seven years after services provided are ceased from any further engagement. If you require your data to be removed before this period, please email us at Benevolence@rfs.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 8741 4980.