Are you a team player? Resilient, compassionate and courageous? You might have the qualities we're looking for to strengthen our crew.
Becoming a career firefighter is more than simply taking on a job. It’s a step into a career that really matters. At DFES, we look for passionate people who are committed to supporting our vision and our mission. We look for qualities like courage, commitment and compassion.
You don’t need prior experience in fire and rescue to become a firefighter. What you do need to be is an adaptable team player who is ready to learn new skills and apply them in stressful, time-critical environments.
Selection is a multi-stage process. You’ll undergo several behavioural, cognitive and physical assessments that align with the requirements of firefighting and DFES’ Core Values.
To become a career firefighter, you need to meet several essential prerequisites. Original or certified copies of all prerequisites must be provided to DFES at various stages of the recruitment process.
The first stage of the recruitment process is submitting an online application via Jobs WA.
There are four (4) essential documents that you must attach to your application:
If successful, you will be required to obtain and provide all of the following checks and qualifications as you progress through the recruitment process:
Please note that all essential prerequisites, including licenses and training certificates, must be obtained prior to any offer of employment and are not provided by DFES.
Online applications are open on Jobs WA and will close on 17 November 2025.
It is important that you attach the following four (4) documents to your application:
Failure to attach the four (4) correct documents to your application will result in you being removed from the selection process. For more information about these required documents, refer to the eligibility section of this website or visit Jobs WA.
The cognitive assessment is designed to assess your suitability to undertake the academic content of the trainee firefighter school and may consist of several elements. The most common areas of the cognitive assessments include verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, error checking, spatial awareness, mechanical reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning.
The personality assessment is used to ascertain your suitability to the role of a firefighter based on your personal traits and preferences, by exploring several different behavioural dimensions. The personality assessments are designed to assess your suitability against the competencies outlined in the firefighter success profile and your ability to deal with the subsequent demands of the job.
The following aptitude tests measure your ability to meet the physical standards required to undertake the role of firefighter. Applicant assessment is not based on technique however, all assessments must be completed in a safe manner. The physical aptitude tests are based on physical tasks expected of firefighters during their duties.
The Physical Aptitude Test Training Guide provides useful information on physical preparation to assist with maximising performance during this stage of the recruitment process.
This is a pass or fail assessment.
The beep test (also known as the shuttle run test) is a standalone assessment used to measure an applicant’s level of cardiovascular fitness. The required level that applicants must meet is 8.7. Applicants will be stopped once they have reached this level. Applicants who fail to reach 8.7 will be removed from the process.
Applicants who are successful in completing the Beep Test will be invited to undertake the remaining Physical Assessments.
This is a pass or fail assessment and is a stand-alone physical aptitude test (separate to Beep Test and the Circuit).
Applicants, wearing breathing apparatus and a frosted mask, must navigate a series of tunnels and obstacles. This assessment must be completed in 10 minutes.
This is a pass or fail assessment.
This is a circuit style of physical assessment (continuous movement from one task to the next) which must be completed in an allocated time frame. The applicant must undertake the entire circuit wearing a breathing apparatus or a weighted vest (14 Kilograms). Applicants must complete the circuit in under 25 minutes.
The Tasks may include:
The assessment of written tasks is used to gauge your ability to review available information and subsequently present your response in a clear, concise and professional manner. In the written assessment task, you are required to strictly adhere to a one-page response that addresses aspects of the firefighter success profile.
The speed interviews require applicants to sit down one-on-one with an assessor and answer interview style questions. The speed interviews involve small groups of applicants being interviewed and assessed by four panel members in a single session. Applicants will rotate assessors every 10 minutes, a total of four times. The interview questions are designed to assess applicants’ behaviours, competencies and experiences.
The panel interview is in front of four members, which may include operational DFES personnel, non-operational DFES personnel and external consultants. You must provide your CV prior to the panel interview.
The final validations ensure applicants are suitable for employment as a firefighter.
The driving proficiency evaluation is overseen by driving instructors from the DFES training academy. The assessment will review each applicant’s ability to safely handle a heavy rigid vehicle and capacity to be trained to a level sufficient to drive safely and efficiently in emergency situations. The driving instructor will provide applicants with feedback regarding the currency of the applicant’s driving skills and provide some advice as to how they can further build on their skills prior to a possible commencement with the Trainee School.
These examinations, undertaken by a medical practitioner appointed by DFES, are designed to highlight any conditions that would prevent or hinder an applicant from effectively carrying out firefighting duties and which may put the individual, colleagues, or members of the community at risk. The medical practitioner provides DFES with an applicant’s suitability for the role of firefighter based on all the information available to them.
Applicants who do not meet the required standards of any part of the medical examination will not be offered a position as a firefighter. Where any increased risk of injury or other potential issues is identified, these will be considered, taking into account the nature of the concern and the likelihood of injury or other impact in the short term. Examples of medical conditions generally considered incompatible with unrestricted operational firefighting duties include, but are not limited to: asthma, previous heart attack, implantable defibrillators, epilepsy, diabetes requiring insulin, hearing aids, permanent need for blood thinning medications, joint replacement surgery or eyesight disorders.
When requested, applicants are required to obtain their:
All applicants must undergo referee checks.
Stages and assessments are subject to change at any time. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. Details of dates, times and location for each assessment stage will be provided to applicants as they progress through the selection process.
Fire and rescue is a job unlike most others. It’s important to consider your expectations and the commitments you’ll need to make before you apply.
You could be posted to any regional or metropolitan career fire station, and you must be prepared for the realities of rostered shift work (day and night, seven days a week) plus fixed leave. Until you are appointed to a station permanently, you’ll likely be in the relieving pool working at different stations.
Once commenced on station, firefighters work a cycle of four days on duty followed by four days off. This amounts to an average of 42 hours per week and consists of two 10-hour day shifts (0800 to 1800) followed by two 14-hour night shifts (1800 to 0800). Firefighters are paid for 40 hours per week with the additional two hours per week accruing as additional annual leave.
Current Firefighter Rates of Pay (Inclusive of Allowances)
Classification
Weekly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)
Yearly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)
Trainee
$1,631.40
$85,104.70
5th Class Firefighter
$1,756.70
$91,641.20
4th Class Firefighter
$1,788.10
$93,279.20
3rd Class Firefighter
$1,866.50
$97,369.10
2nd Class Firefighter
$1,913.50
$99,820.90
1st Class Firefighter
$2,070.20
$107,995.50
Senior Firefighter
$2,148.60
$112,085.30
Becoming a firefighter is the first step in a diverse and meaningful career. If you’re selected to attend the Trainee Firefighter School, you’ll be offered a temporary contract to undertake a 15-week intensive training course at the Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield.
Upon graduation, you’ll be promoted to 5th Class Firefighter and begin working shifts. Over the next five years, you must complete the Firefighter Development Program where you will progress up the ranks to Senior Firefighter. You have the chance to specialise in areas that include Urban Search and Rescue, Training and Instructing, Aerial Rescue, Air Intelligence, Communications, Analysis, Logistics and Fire Investigation.
We support your career and help you make the most of all opportunities. Your progress can take you further into leadership and management roles too.
As a trainee firefighter, you’ll attend the WA Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield, where we train you to our DFES operational standards.
Your 15-week course covers key firefighting aspects including community safety, firefighting skills, breathing apparatus, rescue, hazardous materials, driving and workplace communication skills.
On successful graduation, you’ll enter the compulsory Firefighter Development Program (FDP) and take up duties on shift. The FDP is our compulsory five-year training program covering practical and theory components. On completion, you will achieve the rank of Senior Firefighter.
In a final test of operational readiness, Trainees complete a stair climb of the tallest building in Perth (52 floors of the Central Tower Building).
Applications are open now and scheduled to close on 17 November 2025.
The first stage of the recruitment process is submitting an online application via Jobs WA.
There are four (4) essential documents that you must attach to your application:
There is no minimum age to apply for a Career Firefighter position. However, you must be able to obtain a Heavy Rigid (HR) vehicle license within five months of your application to progress through the final validation stage of the recruitment process.
To apply for a heavy vehicle class license, you must have held your Manual (C class) license for two years and no longer be considered a provisional license holder.
For more information about obtaining your HR license, please visit the Transport WA website.
You need an unrestricted Manual (C Class) vehicle license to apply.
If successful, you will be required to hold or obtain a current Western Australian or National Heavy Rigid (HR) vehicle license that allows you to operate manual HR vehicles with a synchromesh gearbox within five (5) months of applications closing.
Visit the Department of Transport website for information about obtaining a Manual (C Class) license or Heavy Rigid (HR) vehicle license.
DFES advertises all vacancies via Jobs WA and the DFES Jobs Board. Applications are open now and will close on 17 November 2025.
You can also register your interest to be notified about future rounds of firefighter recruitment and monitor the DFES website and our social media pages for updates.
No, there are no minimum schooling requirements. However, basic computer skills are essential for participating in training and navigating coursework at the Training Academy.
Successful applicants who go on to graduate from the Training Academy are accredited with the following qualifications:
Yes, each application is a separate selection process. You are strongly encouraged to reapply if you remain interested in becoming a firefighter.
Pool recruitment refers to a number of persons being selected by a panel as suitable to be considered for appointment to fill future vacancies in Trainee Firefighter Schools.
Generally, a pool operates for a period of 12 months from the date of initial placement into the pool. Applicants who have been assessed as suitable through the merit selection process (Stage 1 – Stage 4) can be considered for selection to the firefighter pool.
Suitable applicants are conditionally appointed to the pool and may be offered positions in the Trainee Firefighter School as positions arise. Appointment from the pool to a vacancy in the Trainee Firefighter School is not automatic. Should a position not arise during the life of the pool, applicants will need to reapply for the next Firefighter Recruitment Campaign.
No, you are not required to submit a CV/Resume with your initial application and are strongly encouraged to follow the instructions outlined in the advert on Jobs WA. Your resume and other documents will be requested at a later date should you progress through the recruitment stages.
The first four stages of the recruitment process take approximately five (5) months once applications close.
Successful applicants are conditionally appointed to a pool. Applicants from this pool are then contacted to participate in Stage 5: Final Validations. Only applicants being considered for appointment to a specific Trainee Firefighter School intake are contacted to complete Stage 5.
No. Generally, there are more applicants in the Firefighter Recruitment Pool than there are positions available.
The Trainee Firefighter School (TFFS) takes just over 15 weeks to complete.
The majority of the training is conducted at the Training Academy, with excursions to other areas when required. The hours of duty at the school are generally Monday to Friday between 0700 and 1700; however, trainees may be required to work weekends and/or evenings, often with little notice. Therefore, it is advised that you clear your schedule over this period, including participation in team sports and other non-essential commitments you may have.
This school is not a live-in program, and trainees are required to arrange their own accommodation where necessary.
Yes, we welcome applications from anywhere. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements and be able to attend assessments in person when required. Assessment locations are usually within the Perth Metro area.
You will need to complete the full 15 week trainee firefighter school and RPL will not be considered during this time. Once you graduate and begin your five (5) year Firefighter Development Program, you can apply for recognition of nationally recognised units of competency or qualifications. However, recognition of existing units of competency or qualifications does not remove the requirement to complete or shorten the duration of the FDP, inclusive of fast-tracked attainment of rank.
No. DFES does not currently accept requests for lateral transfers from other States or Territories within Australia or other countries. In order to undertake a Career Firefighter position with DFES you will need to complete the full 15 week trainee firefighter school and undertake the compulsory five (5) year Firefighter Development Program.
All applicants invited to Stage 5: Final Validations will undergo a comprehensive pre-employment medical assessment. Pre-employment medical assessments are conducted by an independent Occupational Physician. These assessments are carried out on a case-by-case basis, with a thorough review of each applicant’s medical history, how well the condition is managed, and any potential impacts on the role. The examination is designed to identify any conditions that may prevent or hinder an applicant from safely and effectively performing all firefighting duties, or that may pose a risk to the individual, their colleagues, or the community.
Firefighter Recruitment are unable to provide medical advice regarding medical conditions or potential suitability for the role. You are encouraged to apply. Should you progress to Stage 5: Final Validations, the Occupational Physician will be in a position to assess your medical condition in detail.