QFES UniMog. Photo: QFES Facebook

How to Become a Paid Firefighter in Queensland

Introduction

Are you interested in pursuing a professional, paid firefighting career in the Sunshine State? Check out all the information we have below about becoming a paid firefighter in Queensland.

Overview of Firefighting Roles

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) offers two distinct firefighting roles. The first is that of a career Fire and Rescue firefighter, a full-time position characterised by working a typical shift pattern of a “4 days on, 4 days off” schedule.

On the other hand, QFES also offers the role of an auxiliary firefighter, a paid on-call position. Auxiliary firefighters are casual, station-based responders who respond from home or work to the fire station when needed.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Full-time Paid Firefighters

Often called ‘Career’ staff, Permanent Paid Firefighters are paid a salary and stationed at a particular fire station. Full-time firefighters work rotating shifts and respond directly from the fire station to incidents.

Photo: Career station Kemp Place, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Photo: Paid Firefighters from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services


Education Requirements

Candidates must have successfully completed Year 12 or an equivalent course recognised by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) in order to work as a paid firefighter in Queensland. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent general-paid work experience. Meeting these educational and work experience requirements is essential to being eligible for the recruitment process.

Outline of the Selection Process and Criteria

The selection process for firefighter recruits in Queensland is highly competitive. It includes assessments like the Beep Test, cognitive ability assessments, and the Operational Focused Abilities Test (OFAT). Candidates also go through state panel interviews, where they are assessed on their understanding of the role, attributes, skills, experience, and motivation to become a firefighter. The process also involves psychological assessments, criminal history checks, and referee reports. Selection criteria include abilities, aptitude, skills, qualifications, knowledge, personal qualities, and potential for future development relevant to the duties of a firefighter.

Outline of Medical and Physical Requirements and Training

Firefighter candidates must meet QFES’s medical standards, which assess their physical and mental fitness for the role. These standards are critical due to the demanding nature of the job. Candidates are required to undergo a medical assessment, including evaluations of aerobic fitness, muscular strength, and endurance. Successful candidates must complete a 16-week recruit course at SFEST. All associated costs, including medical assessments, are the responsibility of the candidate.

Types of Shifts Worked and Salary

Firefighters in Queensland typically work on a roster of 4 days on and 4 days off, with two 10-hour day shifts followed by two 14-hour night shifts. They may also work on weekends and public holidays, including Christmas, and are called for duty during major emergencies. The salary for firefighters varies based on their classification. Recruit firefighters earn a base rate, a weekend shift allowance, a night shift allowance, and a 38-hour week allowance, resulting in a competitive total salary package.

Training Duration and Location

The training for aspiring firefighters in Queensland takes place over 16 weeks at the School of Fire and Emergency Services Training (SFEST) in Brisbane. This comprehensive training programme includes both practical and theoretical instruction, covering various aspects of firefighting and emergency response. During this period, recruits are fully remunerated at the QFES recruit pay rate.

For more information on becoming a career firefighter for QFES, see their official page.

Want to travel for the job? Why not look at being a paid firefighter in NSW?

On-call Paid Firefighters

On-call paid firefighters are required to reside or have employment in close proximity to the fire station and have availability to attend incidents while rostered ‘on call’. They are responsible for attending calls on an individual basis rather than being present at the station for designated shifts. On-call firefighters receive compensation for each event they attend, including incidents, training sessions, community education programmes, and other related activities.

Photo: Auxillary station Clermont, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Being an auxiliary paid firefighter in Queensland, Australia, with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) requires meeting minimum requirements, undergoing a comprehensive selection process, and demonstrating physical and mental fitness. The pay for the position, which involves responding to various emergency situations, varies by grade and ranges from $28.51 to $34.75 per hour.

Minimum Requirements

To become a paid-on-call auxiliary firefighter with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), applicants must meet certain criteria. These include holding a Manual C class driver’s licence for at least one year or a manual medium rigid driver’s licence, being a minimum of 18 years old at the start of paid employment, having successfully completed year 10 or an equivalent qualification, possessing Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency status, and obtaining written consent from their employer to attend incidents and emergencies if applicable.

Additionally, candidates must live and work within a reasonable distance from an auxiliary fire station to meet response time targets.

The Selection Process and Criteria

The selection process for becoming an auxiliary firefighter with QFES involves multiple steps, including submitting an application form, undergoing aptitude and general cognitive assessments, participating in physical assessments, attending an interview, completing a medical assessment, providing referee reports, undergoing a criminal history check, and undergoing a psychological assessment. Past offences will be considered on a case-by-case basis during the criminal history check, and candidates must also be eligible to hold a blue card.

Medical and Physical Testing

Candidates should be prepared for medical and physical testing as part of the selection process. Given the demanding nature of the role, physical fitness and mental strength are crucial. Successful candidates must be capable of enduring periods of intense physical activity, working in confined spaces with poor visibility, operating in hot and humid environments, wearing breathing apparatus and protective clothing, and handling challenging situations that may involve casualties.

Types of Shifts and Pay

Auxiliary firefighters in Queensland are casual, station-based firefighters who respond to emergency situations when needed. Their shifts vary based on the demand for their services. The pay rates for auxiliary firefighters are categorised into different grades, with the base rate per hour ranging from $28.51 for Grade 1 to $34.75 for Captain, as of September 1, 2022.

Training Duration and Location

The training duration and location for auxiliary firefighters may vary, and specific information can be obtained through the local station. Training programmes typically include ongoing skill acquisition and maintenance, including first aid and emergency care.

For more information about becoming an auxiliary firefighter in Queensland, see their official page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a firefighter make in QLD?

The salary of a firefighter in Queensland varies based on their classification and experience. As of July 1, 2023, the salary rates for QFES firefighters are as follows:
Recruit Firefighter: $2,000.78 per fortnight (base rate)
Firefighter: $2,350.93 per fortnight (base rate)

In addition to the base rate, firefighters may also receive additional allowances, including weekend shifts, night shifts, and a 38-hour week allowance, which can increase their total remuneration.

Do part-time auxillary firefighters get paid in QLD?

Auxiliary firefighters are compensated for their time and efforts when they respond to emergency situations or attend training sessions. Their pay rates are typically categorised into different grades, with the amount they earn per hour varying based on their grade. The pay rates for auxiliary firefighters in Queensland range from $28.51 per hour for Grade 1 to $34.75 per hour for Captain, effective as of September 1, 2022.