| Conditions of Employment |
| Recruitment Process |
| Fitness & Challenge Test |
| Career FAQs |
| Is this for you? |
| Women in firefighting |
| Contact us |
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Career Firefighting, on the following topics:
Conditions of Employment
The Recruitment Process
Educational Requirements
How Can I Prepare For
The Recruitment Process?
The Training Course
I Am Already A Volunteer
Women in firefighting
What are firefighters paid?
A recruit firefighter is paid approximately $1,437.00 per fortnight whilst on the 16 week course. On successful completion of the recruit course and graduation, a recruit becomes a Firefighter Level 1 and is paid approximately $53,176.00 per annum. All the firefighter pay rates can be viewed at the Conditions of Employment section of this website.
Is there superannuation?
Yes. If successful, you will be required to become a member of the Emergency Service Superannuation Scheme (ESSS). This is a defined benefit superannuation fund to which you contribute according to the rate you nominate on your superannuation form. CFA also makes contributions to the fund at a level determined by the fund actuary.
What are the hours of work on station?
Upon completion of a Recruit Training Course, CFA firefighters work day shift as designated by the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the station. The day shift roster normally comprises a 4-day roster; with the hours of duty between 8am and 6pm.
This day shift roster continues until your OIC deems it necessary to move you onto a rotating shift. The move to a rotating shift will generally not occur until after successful completion of the probationary period and is dependant on vacancies arising on the rotating shifts.
Firefighters on a rotating shift work a 10/14 shift roster. Two day shifts, in a row, from 8am – 6pm (10 hours) followed by two night shifts, in a row, from 6pm – 8am (14 hours) followed by fours days off.
How much annual leave does a firefighter receive?
Firefighters receive approximately nine weeks annual leave per year. This annual leave is taken in two four-week blocks per year, and is rostered according to the location to which you are deployed.
Do firefighters have public holidays off?
No. CFA integrated Fire stations operate 24 hours per day through 365 days per year. Career firefighters are rostered to work throughout the year, including public holidays.
Is there a probationary period?
Yes, ongoing employment is subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period. This probationary period includes the CFA recruit training course.
If I am successful, do I get to choose where I work?
Not initially. Similar to organisations such as Victoria police and the Armed Forces, you will have the opportunity to advise CFA of your preferences during the recruit course. However, as CFA is a statewide service and requires firefighters in many areas of Victoria, specific locations of employment are dependant upon where the demand for vacancies arises at the time.
You will be placed at one of the CFA integrated stations as an above strength firefighter.
Above strength firefighters are regularly deployed to other locations within CFA in accordance with the Chief Officer's requirements.
Our stations with career firefighters are as follows:
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Is there a career path?
CFA Career Firefighters are required to undergo a structured continuation-training program after completion of their recruit training. Progression through the Firefighter levels is dependant on the individual completing the appropriate continuation training. This continuation training is mandatory for all levels up to and including Qualified Firefighter. The achievement of Qualified Firefighter rank occurs after 36 months and requires the completion of all continuation training.
Upon obtaining the Qualified Firefighter rank a career firefighter is then able to progress to middle and senior level management positions. Structured programs that include continuation training, development courses and assessments will allow career firefighters to gain qualifications at Leading Firefighter and Fire Officer (middle level managers) and Operations Officer/Operations Manager (senior level managers). Appointment to these positions is subject to vacancies occurring across CFA. All vacancies are subject to merit based selection and appointment.
See Also:
Conditions of Employment
This is provided for your information only. CFA reserves the right to change the process timelines and requirements at any time.
Recruitment activities are mostly conducted at the CFA Fiskville Training College near Ballan. Applicants will be advised of the location of the recruitment stage in the relevant correspondence.
| Application Phase: | Submission of Application |
| Phase 1 | 4hr Application Session
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| Phase 2 | Incorporating the following aspects:
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| Phase 3 | Behavioural Assessment: Senior Panel interview |
| Phase 4 | Reference Check - CFA Medical (Offer of a position is dependent on satisfactory reference checks and a National Police Record Check.) |
The Application session
The Application session signals the start of the application process. In order to reduce the time and travel commitments of participants and to better utilise CFA resources all sessions will be held at the CFA training college located at Fiskville (near Ballan). It is expected that each session will be approximately 4 hours long and will consist of 20–25 participants. Before you can participate in the session you will need to obtain a medical clearance from your doctor. A medical clearance form will be provided with Application Kits, which you will need to get your doctor to complete. Occasionally candidates will be notified of an alternate venue for the fitness test assessment.
The session will be compulsory and will include:
How do you progress through each stage?
All applications are assessed through fair and open competition based on principles of merit. Not only do you have to meet the criteria stated, you may need to exceed the minimum criteria to be competitive against other applicants.
Due to the volume of applicants and the limited number of available opportunities, not all applicants who meet the minimum benchmark for the relevant testing will be progressed to the next stage. At the end of each phase an assessment will be made based on all of the information collected to that point.
Those who are not invited to progress to the next phase but meet the required minimum benchmark for that phase will remain in the CFA recruitment database for consideration for subsequent recruit firefighter intakes over a 12-month period from the commencement of their application submission.
How will I know when CFA is recruiting?
First Time Applicants
CFA now accepts applications from 1st time candidates to join the CFA database on an ongoing basis. Candidates will remain in the database for a 12 month period. How quickly they are assessed will depend on the number of recruit course intakes during that period.
Career Firefighter - 1st Time Applicants form 2009/10 - pdf 260k
Those applicants who have previously attempted the CFA recruitment
process can apply for re-entry to the database.
Some exemptions from certain stages of the process may apply.
Acceptance of applications from previous candidates will fluctuate from time to time and will be assessed based on how much new information has been submitted with the new application. (see booklet for more details)
Career Firefighters - Previous Applicants form 2009/10 - pdf 430k
What are the minimum applicant eligibility requirements?
To be eligible to apply, you must have a full, manual driver’s licence and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the date of application. You must be able to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility with your application form. (see Is there anything else that I can do in preparation?)
Is there an age limit?
No. However, you must have a full, manual driver’s licence on application. (You are ineligible if you have a probationary licence.)
How long does it take from when I submit my application to complete the assessments?
The entire database process can take between four months and twelve months.
Do I need to have a truck licence to be a firefighter?
You do not need a heavy (truck) licence to apply for the role. However, successful applicants are required to obtain their heavy rigid driver’s licence prior to the commencement of their training course. If you do not currently have a heavy licence you should explore the requirements to ensure that you allow adequate time to obtain one.
I have never done firefighting before and I’m not a CFA volunteer – can I still apply?
Yes. Firefighting experience is not a pre-requisite for applying for the role of recruit firefighter. The recruitment process is designed to select applicants who have the aptitude and who can demonstrate the behaviours to successfully become a firefighter. The recruit Training Course trains all recruits in all aspects of firefighting, regardless of whether or not they have any experience.
If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply again?
Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to re- apply to enter the Recruitment
database. It is advisable that you re-assess your preparation and research
before deciding to have another go. All previous applicants will be asked to
submit information that shows what they have done to improve their application
since the last attempt, (ie. If you previously did not pass the aptitude tests
then it will be expected that you have undergone training and study to overcome
this difficulty).
Previous candidates with 3 unsuccessful attempts at interview may be required to wait out a 2 year period from the last unsuccessful attempt before applying again. If you fit within this category it is suggested you contact the Firefighter Recruitment Consultant before submitting your application.
Remember the quest to become a firefighter is a competitive one. Do not leave
the focus of your preparation and improvement to just one criteria!
The CFA recruitment process is an expensive one both in time and money. For
the applicant it also represents a big time commitment, so you should maximise your investment by preparing well.
