Fees and charges for services

Statutory provisions to charge

Section 42 of the Fire and Rescue NSW Act 1989 allows Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to charge for the provision of other services, including services in connection with statutory fire safety. These services and their associated charges are prescribed in section 46, section 48 and schedule 2 and schedule 3 of the Fire Brigades Regulation 2014.

The statutory charges are applied in accordance with the Fire Safety Charging Policy and as summarised below:

Initial fire safety report

Estimated cost of development and respective applicable charge:

Up to $250,000	$500
$250,001-$500,000	$500, plus $0.40 for each $1,000 (or part) the cost exceeds $250,000
$500,001-$1,000,000	$600, plus $0.30 for each $1,000 (or part) the cost exceeds $500,000
$1,000,001-$10mil	$750, plus $0.20 for each $1,000 (or part) the cost exceeds $1,000,000
More than $10mil	$2,550, plus $0.10 for each $1,000 (or part) the estimated cost exceeds $10mil

and $180 for each assessment of a Category 2 fire safety provision.

Final fire safety report

$215 for initial inspection (first two hours) plus $200 for each additional hour (or part), including travelling time, and
$430 for any re-inspection (first two hours) plus $200 for each additional hour (or part), including travelling time, and
$180 for each assessment of a Category 2 fire safety provision.

Fire safety system report

Rank of member of fire brigade
Fire safety engineer
Chief Superintendent
Building surveyor
Engineer
Fire safety manager
Superintendent
Fire safety team leader
Inspector
Fire safety officer
Station commander or captain
Firefighter

Amount per hour per member
$200
$132
$132
$130
$125
$121
$110
$99
$90
$83
$66

A minimum of two fire brigade members will conduct an inspection.

Meeting

$200 for each hour (or part) per fire brigade member for attendance at the meeting.

Written report (i.e. consultation)

$2,600 for each day (or part) spent by a fire brigade member providing advisory, assessment or consultancy services in respect of State significant infrastructure, Crown building work, or other development.

Fire Engineering Brief Questionnaire

The charge applicable is $2,600 for each day (or part of a day) spent by the Commissioner or a fire brigade member providing advisory, assessment or consultancy services.

Other services (e.g. marina inspection)

Amount per hour per member
$200
$132
$132
$130
$125
$121
$110
$99
$90
$83
$66

Terms of service

The charge for each applicable service provision is detailed on the corresponding web-page and provided on each respective application form. Each application form includes an agreement whereby the applicant declares to remit payment of all applicable charges.

The applicant is solely responsible for the payment of the charges incurred, irrespective of whether the applicant was acting on behalf of another person or not.

Local government authorities and consent authorities may be exempt from charges on some services (e.g. consultation). Travelling time includes time spent travelling to and from the premises and is calculated from the nearest regional office (i.e. Greenacre, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo or Queanbeyan).

An invoice will be sent following the provision of service (e.g. report furnished, inspection conducted, meeting held, advice given etc.) and must be paid as per the terms outlined on the invoice received (e.g. within 30 days).

Payment options

FRNSW accepts the following methods of payment for all invoices:

Method	Instructions	Time to process
Direct deposit	Direct deposit can be made through your financial institution. Payments are to be made to Westpac bank into the account number on the invoice.	Immediate
Online	Secure online payment can be made at https://quickweb.westpac.com.au/fire/fireandrescue using Visa or Mastercard. You will need the payment reference number under the ‘Payment Options’ section on the invoice.	Immediate
Phone	Telephone 1300 768 572 to pay by Visa or Mastercard. You will need the payment reference number under the ‘Payment Options’ section on the invoice.	Overnight (if paid by 6pm)
Post	Complete the payment slip and send with a cheque or money order made payable to ‘Fire and Rescue NSW’ to: Westpac Bank, Locked Bag A5090, Sydney South NSW 1235	Delayed (dependant on delivery and mail processing)
BPAY	BPAY can be accessed by phone or through a financial institution’s website. Payments are made by quoting Biller Code 203653 and the payment reference number on the invoice.	Overnight (during weekdays)

Note: Card payments will incur a surcharge fee of 0.40%.

Failure by the applicant to pay the issued invoice by the time the final reminder notice is due will result in FRNSW pursuing debt recovery action. Additional costs may be imposed when debt recovery action is required to be undertaken.

Applying for waiver or reduction of charges

Section 43 of the Fire and Rescue NSW Act 1989 allows the applicant for any service to seek a waiver or reduction of the prescribed charges. Applications are to be made in writing to the FRNSW Commissioner detailing the service and reasons why a waiver or reduction of charge should be considered, including any previous payments made on related services for the given matter.

The request to waive or reduce the charges can only be made after the relevant charge has been applied (i.e. the invoice has been received). The decision to waive or reduce any applicable charges is solely at the discretion of the FRNSW Commissioner.