SES volunteers will join Rural Fire Service volunteers in being able to apply for compensation for time served during the current fire season.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced this morning that the one-off compensation package made available through the Federal Government by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison was now open for registrations of interest.

The Premier said she was pleased QFES volunteer firefighters and SES workers would be eligible for compensation under the Federal Government’s Volunteer Firefighters Compensation Package which would be administered by the State Government.

“We’re going to make sure this funding gets out the door as soon as possible,” the Premier said.

Eligible volunteers who had lost income after working more than ten calendar days of service from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 would be able to apply for compensation.

The payment will be available to eligible Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers.

The Volunteer Compensation Package 2019-20 will be available to volunteers who are self-employed or work for a business with an annual turnover of less than $50 million.

The payments of up to $300 per person, per day (up to $6,000) will be tax-free and not means-tested, under criteria established by the Commonwealth Government. 

Registrations of interest are open from today, with payments expected to occur from Monday, January 13.

Volunteers will receive more information on how to access the payments directly from QFES, or they can visit www.qld.gov.au/VolunteerCompensation