- Rural Fire Service Queensland brigades will receive a financial boost with the introduction of a QFD interest-bearing bank account.
- Brigades will earn and retain interest on their accounts.
- Funds raised locally will stay local, ensuring they meet the specific needs of individual brigades.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and backing our RFSQ volunteers.
The Crisafulli Government is backing our Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) volunteers, who are set to benefit from additional funds following the introduction of an interest-bearing bank account, enabling brigades to earn interest on their sub-accounts.
From 19 March 2026, all sub-accounts held by RFSQ brigades will automatically earn interest, which will be paid into brigade sub-accounts on the first business day of each month.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline and neglect under Labor.
The former Labor Government stripped RFSQ volunteers of their ability to earn interest on their sub-accounts, taking away funds they had rightfully generated.
Additionally, under Labor, support for our rural fire volunteers eroded and participation suffered, with volunteer numbers falling by more than 7,800.
The Crisafulli Government is restoring strong support for our rural volunteer firefighters, ensuring they are equipped with the infrastructure, resources and tools they need to succeed and continue protecting their communities.
Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy said the additional funds would further support the vital work of RFSQ volunteers in protecting local communities.
"By enabling brigade accounts to be interest-bearing, volunteers will receive an additional financial boost to support their critical work in protecting Queenslanders," Minister Leahy said.
"The Crisafulli Government is continuing to listen to our volunteers and ensuring every dollar raised locally stays local, supporting the needs of individual brigades."
RFSQ Chief Officer Kaylene Jones highlighted the importance of supporting the financial sustainability of RFSQ brigades.
"Our brigades are the backbone of fire safety in rural and regional Queensland, and these changes reflect our commitment to supporting them," CO Jones said.
"The introduction of an interest-bearing account is one of the measures we are introducing to make it easier for brigades to manage their finances and focus on their core mission of protecting their communities.
"Funds raised by RFSQ brigades through local fundraising efforts, grants, levies, gifts, or donations are deposited into accounts maintained by QFD. These funds remain exclusively for the use of each individual brigade, now with the added benefit of earning interest."
Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland CEO Justin Choveaux said this was a win for rural volunteer firefighters.
"We would like to thank the minister for personally ensuring that the interest that previously went into the government consolidated revenue is now being returned to rural fire brigades," Mr Choveaux said.
"This will mean more money for brigades to fund critical expenses such as feeding firefighters on the fire ground."
