Firefighter salary: award rates, national averages, and what you can expect to earn
Firefighter salaries in Australia are governed by the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 (MA000111), which sets minimum weekly rates for both public and private sector employees. These rates vary by classification – from Recruit through to Senior Station Officer – and include loadings for shift work and the average 40‑hour week in the public sector. This guide breaks down the award rates, compares them to the national full‑time average, and explains what they mean for your take‑home pay.
Award minimum rates for firefighters
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the award rates, which are updated annually. From 1 July 2026, the minimum weekly rates for full‑time public sector employees (including shift loading and average 40‑hours loading) are:
- Recruit: $1,005.10 per week
- Firefighter Level 1: $1,444.17 per week
- Firefighter Level 2: $1,463.71 per week
- Firefighter Level 3: $1,487.28 per week
- Qualified Firefighter: $1,607.97 per week
- Leading Firefighter: $1,839.88 per week
- Station Officer: $1,994.48 per week
- Senior Station Officer: $2,148.65 per week
- Fire Service Communications Controller: $2,148.65 per week
Private sector employees receive lower base rates (without the loadings). For example, a private sector Qualified Firefighter has a minimum weekly rate of $1,119.10 (about $29.45 per hour). However, private sector firefighters may also receive shift penalties and overtime as per the award.
How firefighter pay compares to the national average
The national full‑time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (about $108,352 a year), according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. This is the benchmark used by Place a salary on the line to show where a salary sits.
A public sector Qualified Firefighter’s minimum weekly rate of $1,607.97 is about 23% below the national average. Even the highest award classification – Senior Station Officer at $2,148.65 per week – is only marginally above the average. It’s important to remember that these are minimums; many firefighters earn more under enterprise agreements or through overtime and allowances.
Public vs private sector differences
The award clearly distinguishes between public and private sector rates. Public sector rates include a 30% shift loading and an average 40‑hours loading (10.5263% of the combined minimum and shift loading). This means a public sector Qualified Firefighter receives about $489 per week more than the private sector base rate. Private sector firefighters may still receive shift loadings and overtime, but the starting point is lower.
State and territory variations
Firefighters are employed by state fire services (public sector) or by private companies (e.g., in mining or industrial settings). State full‑time averages from the ABS show variation across Australia, but these are overall averages, not firefighter‑specific. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest full‑time average at about $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. States and territories provides more detail on regional differences.
Tax and take‑home pay
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A Medicare levy of 2% applies. A public sector Qualified Firefighter earning the award minimum of $83,614 per year would fall into the 30% tax bracket (plus Medicare), resulting in an estimated take‑home pay of around $63,000 after tax and levy, depending on deductions and offsets.
Beyond the minimum: what firefighters actually earn
The award rates are the legal floor. Many firefighters, especially in state fire services, are covered by enterprise agreements that provide higher pay. For example, some agreements include additional allowances for specialist roles, call‑out payments, and higher shift penalties. The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for firefighters, so the award rates are the best publicly available benchmark. For a broader view of how different occupations compare, see Job medians.
Key takeaways
- Firefighter minimum salaries range from about $52,265 (Recruit) to $111,730 (Senior Station Officer) per year under the public sector award.
- The national full‑time average of $108,352 is higher than most firefighter award minimums, except for senior ranks.
- Public sector firefighters earn significantly more than private sector counterparts due to built‑in loadings.
- Actual earnings can be higher through enterprise agreements, overtime, and allowances.
If you’re considering a firefighting career or want to see where a specific salary sits on the line, use our Place a salary on the line tool. It converts a yearly salary to weekly and hourly figures based on a 38‑hour week and shows the distance from the national average.