Career firefighting

Are you a team player? Resilient, compassionate and courageous? You might have the qualities we're looking for to strengthen our crew. Express your interest today.

The role of a firefighter

There’s more to being a firefighter than you’d imagine. As a firefighter, you’ll not only be responding to emergency incidents, you’ll play an integral role in fire safety, education and prevention. It’s no ordinary job, the work is varied and challenging, as well as rewarding. Our firefighters are intelligent and highly skilled, coming from all walks of life.

A firefighter works as a member of a cohesive and cooperative team, whether involved in emergency response or work associated with maintaining readiness or community safety activities.

A firefighter directly participates in emergency incidents to assist and safeguard people, property and the environment, including responding to fires, vehicle accidents, rescues and other emergencies. A firefighter must always be physically fit and capable of responding to emergency calls and rescuing personnel from life threatening situations. A firefighter must be able to operate vehicles and equipment in emergency and non-emergency situations. They are required to liaise with other agencies, including emergency service personnel, and communicate with members of the public and people under duress.

Career Firefighter Recruitment Information Pack

A firefighter carries out a range of other duties including:

  • Participates in community education programs and community centred emergency management activities.
  • Carries out or assists with inspection of properties for compliance with building codes and fire safety rules, including risk assessments.
  • Contributes to environmental care through appropriate activities including bushfire mitigation strategies.
  • Participates in drills, physical training, servicing hydrants, domestic duties and vehicle checks.
  • Firefighters work a rotating shift work pattern, being two day shifts 0800 – 1800, followed by two nightshifts 1800 - 0800, followed by a four-day break.

Firefighters must be capable of a rapid physical response, which in the case of a property fire with life involvement would include donning personal protective clothing and breathing apparatus, dragging a line of hose and performing a search and rescue operation. They are required to work in awkward positions, often under pressure.

Physical Aptitude Test Training Guide
Access the Firefighter Recruitment Information Pack

Firefighter recruitment applications have closed. Register your interest to be notified of future rounds of firefighter recruitment.

Register your interest
Career Firefighter Recruitment Information Pack
Stage One: Online Application
Stage Two: Cognitive and Personality Assessments
Stage Three: Physical Aptitude Tests, Working at Heights and Tunnel Crawl
Stage Four: Assessment of Written Task, Speed Interviews and Panel Interviews
Stage Five: Final Validations

Classification

Weekly Wage
(effective on and from June 2023)

Yearly Wage
(effective on and from June 2023)

Weekly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)

Yearly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)

Trainee

$1,547.40

$80,722.70

$1,631.40

$85,104.70

5th Class Firefighter

$1,672.70

$87,259.20

$1,756.70

$91,641.20

4th Class Firefighter

$1,704.10

$88,897.20

$1,788.10

$93,279.20

3rd Class Firefighter

$1,782.50

$92.987.10

$1,866.50

$97,369.10

2nd Class Firefighter

$1,829.50

$95,438.90

$1,913.50

$99,820.90

1st Class Firefighter

$1,986.20

$103,613.40

$2,070.20

$107,995.50

Senior Firefighter

$2,064.60

$107,703.30

$2,148.60

$112,085.30


Firefighter Development Program (FDP)

  • Our compulsory five-year training program covers practical and theory components.
  • On completion, you will achieve the rank of Senior Firefighter.
How do I apply?
What licence do I need?
Do I need a tertiary qualification?
I have applied previously. Do I have to apply again?
How will I know when DFES are advertising?
Is there a minimum age to apply?
How long is the recruitment process?
How long is the Trainee Firefighter School?
How many vacancies are available for the role of Firefighter per recruitment process?
Can I apply from regional areas, interstate and overseas?
I am a firefighter from interstate, can I be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning?