How to become a Commissioned Fire Officer

Also called: Superintendent (Fire Services)

Provides high level management to support the running of a geographical or operational section of a fire service.

Main tasks

• Develops and implements strategic plans and policies for the geographical or operational section of a fire service
• Manages the allocation of resources, including personnel, equipment and vehicles, to ensure the effective response to fire incidents
• Provides leadership and guidance to personnel in emergency response operations
• Prepares reports and provides advice to senior management on the performance and activities of the geographical or operational section of a fire service

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Fire Investigation) (PUA60922); Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision) (PUA40319); Certificate IV in Public Safety (Leadership) (PUA41019); Certificate IV in Public Safety (SES Leadership) (PUA40219); Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) (PUA50519)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $184,184 a year
• About 4,400 people work in this job group now, and about 5,100 are projected by 2035. (+17.5%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Commissioned Defence Force Officer
• Commissioned Police Officer
• Sports Administrator
• Arts Administrator or Manager
• Library Services Manager
• Environmental Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Commissioned Fire Officer?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Fire Investigation); Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision).

How much does a Commissioned Fire Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $184,184 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Commissioned Fire Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 18% by 2035, from about 4,400 to about 5,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Commissioned Fire Officer?

Usually not. Only 24% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Fire Investigation); Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision).

Will AI change the work of a Commissioned Fire Officer?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04