Firefighter pay in Melbourne
Firefighter salaries in Melbourne are primarily governed by the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for both public and private sector employees. Actual pay may be higher due to enterprise agreements, over-award arrangements, or individual contracts. This article compares the award minimums to the national full-time average and the Victorian state average, using data from the ABS and Fair Work.
The national picture
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, stands at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is the benchmark used by this site to show where a salary sits relative to the typical full-time worker. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 per year, while the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
Award minimums for firefighters
The Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 (MA000111) provides minimum weekly rates for various classifications. For public sector employees, the rates include a shift loading (30% of the minimum weekly rate) and an average 40 hours loading (10.5263% of the combined minimum and shift loading). The total weekly rates for key classifications are:
- 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
Private sector minimum rates are lower before loadings. For example, a qualified firefighter in the private sector has a minimum weekly rate of $1,119.10, with an ordinary hourly rate for shiftworkers of $38.29.
How award rates compare to the national average
Multiplying the weekly award rates by 52 gives annual minimums. A qualified firefighter in the public sector earns at least $83,614 per year, which is about $24,738 below the national full-time average. A station officer’s minimum of $103,713 is $4,639 below the average, while a senior station officer’s minimum of $111,730 is $3,378 above. Leading firefighters ($95,674) and firefighter level 3 ($77,339) also fall below the average. Only senior station officers and fire service communications controllers exceed the national average at the award minimum.
Actual salaries for firefighters in Melbourne are often higher. Many are covered by enterprise agreements that provide additional allowances, higher base rates, or better penalty rates. For instance, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) firefighters have their own enterprise agreement that typically pays above the award. Without a published average for Melbourne firefighters, the award minimums serve as a floor.
What moves firefighter pay above or below the average
Several factors can push a firefighter’s salary above or below the national average:
- Classification and experience: Entry-level recruits earn well below the average, while senior officers and communications controllers can exceed it.
- Shift work and overtime: The award includes shift loadings and penalty rates for overtime and public holidays, which can significantly boost earnings.
- Enterprise agreements: Many fire services have negotiated agreements that improve on award rates. For example, FRV’s agreement may include higher base pay or additional allowances.
- Location: Firefighters in remote or high-cost areas may receive additional allowances. The Victorian state average full-time salary is about $106,137, slightly below the national average, so Melbourne firefighters may align with that.
- Private vs public sector: Public sector rates are generally higher due to the inclusion of loadings in the weekly rate. Private sector firefighters start lower but may have different shift patterns.
State and territory context
The states and territories page shows that Victoria’s full-time average is about $106,137, which is close to the national average. A station officer’s award minimum is just below this, while a senior station officer’s is above. Other states vary: New South Wales averages $109,658, Queensland $106,064, and Western Australia $115,825. Firefighter award rates are national, but local agreements can adjust pay to reflect state averages.
Other considerations
- Tax: For 2026–27, resident tax rates are nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A qualified firefighter on the award minimum would be in the 30% bracket, while a senior station officer would be in the 30% bracket as well, close to the 37% threshold.
- Medians: The full-time median of $90,532 is higher than a qualified firefighter’s award minimum but lower than a leading firefighter’s. The all-employees median of $74,100 is below most firefighter classifications.
- Minimum wage: The national minimum wage of $52,255 is well below all firefighter award rates, even for recruits.
For a personalised comparison, you can place a salary on the line to see how it stacks up against the national average, medians, and minimum wage.
Summary
Firefighter salaries in Melbourne start at award minimums that range from $52,265 for a recruit to $111,730 for a senior station officer. Most classifications fall below the national full-time average of $108,352, except for senior officers. Actual pay is often higher due to enterprise agreements, making it possible for experienced firefighters to earn above the average. The award provides a clear baseline, but individual circumstances vary widely.