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Firefighter Salary Australia: Award Rates vs National Average

Firefighter pay under the Fire Fighting Industry Award ranges from $1,005 to $2,149 per week depending on classification and sector, compared to the national full-time average of $2,084 per week.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Firefighter salary Australia: award rates and the national average

Firefighter salaries in Australia are not a single figure. They are set by the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020, which covers both public sector (state fire services) and private sector employers. The award specifies minimum weekly rates for classifications from recruit to senior station officer and fire service communications controller. These rates include loadings for shift work and, in the public sector, an average 40‑hours loading.

To understand where these rates sit, the key benchmark is the national full‑time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line used on this site. The full‑time median is about $90,532 per year, and the all‑employees median is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38‑hour week.

Public sector firefighter rates (including loadings)

Under the award, public sector employees receive a minimum weekly rate that already includes a 30% shift loading and a 10.5263% average 40‑hours loading. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide for the Fire Fighting Industry Award (effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026) lists these total weekly rates:

  • Recruit: $1,005.10
  • Firefighter Level 1: $1,444.17
  • Firefighter Level 2: $1,463.71
  • Firefighter Level 3: $1,487.28
  • Qualified Firefighter: $1,607.97
  • Leading Firefighter: $1,839.88
  • Station Officer: $1,994.48
  • Senior Station Officer: $2,148.65
  • Fire Service Communications Controller: $2,148.65

These rates apply to full‑time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. Part‑time rates are paid hourly.

Private sector firefighter rates

Private sector firefighters are paid base minimum rates without the shift and 40‑hours loadings included in the public sector table. The award sets these as:

  • Recruit: $1,005.10 per week ($26.45 per hour)
  • Firefighter Level 1: $1,005.10 ($26.45)
  • Firefighter Level 2: $1,018.70 ($26.81)
  • Firefighter Level 3: $1,035.10 ($27.24)
  • Qualified Firefighter: $1,119.10 ($29.45)
  • Leading Firefighter: $1,280.50 ($33.70)
  • Station Officer: $1,388.10 ($36.53)
  • Senior Station Officer: $1,495.40 ($39.35)

Private sector employees may receive additional loadings or penalties when working shifts, overtime, or public holidays, but the base rate is lower than the public sector total.

How firefighter pay compares to the national average

Only the most senior public sector classifications exceed the national full‑time average of $2,083.70 per week. A station officer at $1,994.48 is just below it; a senior station officer at $2,148.65 is above. Qualified firefighters and below are below the average. However, all public sector firefighter levels are well above the national minimum wage and the all‑employees median of about $74,100 per year. For example, a qualified firefighter’s annualised rate of $83,614 is above the all‑employees median but below the full‑time median of $90,532.

Private sector rates are lower. A qualified firefighter in the private sector earns $1,119.10 per week ($58,193 annually), which is above the minimum wage but below the all‑employees median.

Take‑home pay sketch

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, here is an approximate net income for two public sector classifications:

  • Qualified Firefighter ($1,607.97/week, $83,614/year): Tax on $83,614 is about $15,604 (first $18,200 tax‑free, then 15% on $26,800, 30% on $38,614). Medicare levy $1,672. Net: around $66,338 per year, or $1,276 per week.
  • Senior Station Officer ($2,148.65/week, $111,730/year): Tax about $24,246 (30% on $90,000, 37% on $21,730). Medicare $2,235. Net: around $85,249 per year, or $1,639 per week.

These are rough estimates. Actual tax depends on deductions, offsets, and family circumstances.

State context

Firefighter pay is set by a national award, so rates are consistent across states for the same classification and sector. However, the cost of living and average earnings vary. The state full‑time averages (ABS, May 2026) are:

  • New South Wales: $109,658
  • Victoria: $106,137
  • Queensland: $106,064
  • South Australia: $102,450
  • Western Australia: $115,825
  • Tasmania: $96,008
  • Northern Territory: $103,173
  • Australian Capital Territory: $119,090

A public sector station officer earning $103,714 annually ($1,994.48 × 52) would be slightly below the average in most states but above it in Tasmania. A senior station officer at $111,730 would be above the average in all states except the ACT and WA.

Where to go from here

If you are a firefighter or considering the career, you can Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national average. For a breakdown by state, visit States and territories. The Guides page has more on how awards and enterprise agreements affect pay.

Firefighter salaries are governed by a modern award, so the rates above are minimums. Many firefighters are covered by enterprise agreements that may pay more. Always check your specific employment contract or agreement for the exact rate.

Questions

What is the average firefighter salary in Australia?

There is no single average firefighter salary published by the ABS. Instead, firefighter pay is set by the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020. For public sector firefighters, weekly rates range from $1,005.10 for a recruit to $2,148.65 for a senior station officer or fire service communications controller. Private sector rates are lower and do not include the same loadings. The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

How does firefighter pay compare to the national average?

Many public sector firefighter classifications exceed the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week. For example, a qualified firefighter earns $1,607.97 per week, which is below the average, while a station officer earns $1,994.48, close to the average, and a senior station officer earns $2,148.65, above the average. Private sector rates are generally lower. The full-time median is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Most firefighter roles exceed the all-employees median.

What is the take-home pay for a firefighter after tax?

Take-home pay depends on the classification and sector. For a public sector qualified firefighter earning $1,607.97 per week ($83,614 annually), the estimated tax for 2026–27 is about $15,604 plus Medicare levy of $1,672, leaving around $66,338 net. A senior station officer earning $2,148.65 per week ($111,730 annually) would pay about $24,246 tax plus $2,235 Medicare, netting about $85,249. These are rough estimates; individual circumstances vary.

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