Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
The WAFES Conference is open to State Emergency Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and Marine Rescue volunteers as well as DFES employees, including corporate staff and operational personnel.
Volunteers can self-nominate or be nominated by their BGU or DFES regional office to be considered for a place at the conference.
Nominations open on Wednesday 1 April and close on Friday 29 May.
Volunteers can nominate to attend the following:
Regions will work closely with their volunteers and BGU leadership teams to select nominated volunteers to attend the conference.
Preference is given to volunteers who have not attended previously, followed by those who have attended only a small number of times, to encourage broader participation and new perspectives.
In line with this year’s theme, consideration is also given to increasing the participation of young people, recognising the important role they play in the future of volunteering.
Selection also aims to ensure proportional representation across regions, services and genders. Volunteer places at the conference will then be allocated in two rounds:
If successful for rounds one or two volunteers will be notified by email and sent a link to register online.
Volunteers remaining on the nomination list after Monday 27 July will be emailed with last-chance places at the conference and/or awards should they become available*.
To secure one of these places, volunteers must complete their conference and/or awards registration as soon as possible after receiving the email.
Any remaining conference or WAFES Awards gala dinner places, including cancellations, will be filled from the nomination list – so volunteers must complete a conference nomination if they would like to be considered to backfill a cancellation or replace a member from their BGU.
Volunteers who register for the conference agree to attend all sessions on the Saturday conference program and have access to optional events including Friday tours, the sundowner and the WAFES Awards gala dinner.
*Flight and accommodation options may not be available for regional volunteers accepting last-chance places.
Please note: If you register for the conference and optional events but do not attend all sessions or any other event you have registered for, without prior notice, this may impact your eligibility to attend future WAFES events.
DFES staff, including Career Fire and Rescue personnel can attend the WAFES Conference.
Each DFES command and region has an allocated number of places at the conference with command heads and superintendents selecting staff to attend. Those interested in attending are encouraged to talk with their line manager, station officer or superintendent.
Priority will be given to those working closely with volunteers and who would benefit from professional networking opportunities.
Selected staff will receive an email on Monday 29 June with a link to complete their online conference registration by Friday 10 July.
Those who accept a place at the conference agree to attend all sessions on the Saturday conference program and have access to optional events including the WAFES Awards gala dinner. A fee may apply for those attending the dinner outside of a professional working capacity.
Volunteers and DFES staff chosen as finalists in the 2026 WAFES Awards are reserved a place at the conference, in addition to attending the awards gala dinner.
The option to register for the WAFES Conference will also be extended to DFES volunteers and staff members who nominate an awards finalist.
WAFES Awards finalists and their nominators will receive an email in early June with a link to register for the gala dinner. An option to register for the conference will be included as part of this process.
Individual award finalists may bring one guest to the awards gala dinner. If they are DFES volunteers or staff they will also have the option to register for the conference.
Those who accept a place at the conference agree to attend all sessions on the Saturday conference program and have access to optional events including a Friday tour and the sundowner.
