How to become a Firefighter

Responds to fire alarms and emergency calls, controls and extinguishes fires, and protects life and property.

Main tasks

• Responds to fire alarms and emergency calls
• Operates pumps, sprays water, foam and chemicals from hoses, portable extinguishers and other appliances to extinguish fires and to disperse or neutralise dangerous substances
• Locates, rescues and evacuates people trapped in dangerous situations, and provides first aid and medical assistance to injured individuals
• Visits buildings and potential fire hazards to study access points and locations of hydrants
• Conducts fire prevention and safety education programs for the public
• Maintains firefighting equipment and vehicles
• Participates in firefighting training exercises, drills and demonstrations

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) (PUA60519); Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) (PUA30719); Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) (PUA20719); Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) (PUA30622); Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) (PUA20622)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $128,596 a year
• About 17,100 people work in this job group now, and about 19,100 are projected by 2035. (+11.4%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Emergency Services Officer
• Defence Force Member - Other Ranks
• General Duties Police Officer
• Border Enforcement Operations Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Firefighter?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management); Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations).

How much does a Firefighter earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $128,596 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Firefighter a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 17,100 to about 19,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Firefighter?

Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management); Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations).

Will AI change the work of a Firefighter?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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