Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
Join the next generation of career firefighters in Western Australia. We’re looking for active, resilient and community-minded people who value teamwork and lead with integrity and compassion. If this sounds like you, we’ve got the career for you.
Becoming a career firefighter is more than simply taking on a job. It’s a step into a career that really matters. At DFES, we look for passionate people who are committed to supporting our vision and our mission. We look for qualities like courage, commitment and compassion.
You don’t need any previous firefighting experience to apply. What you do need to be is an adaptable team player who is ready to learn new skills and apply them in stressful, time-critical environments.
Selection is a multi-stage process. You’ll undergo several behavioural, cognitive and physical assessments that align with the requirements of firefighting and DFES’ Core Values.
To become a career firefighter, you need to meet several essential prerequisites. Original or certified copies of all prerequisites must be provided to DFES at various stages of the recruitment process.
The first stage of the recruitment process is submitting an online application via WA Government Jobs.
There are four (4) essential documents that you must attach to your application:
If successful, you will be required to obtain and provide all of the following checks and qualifications as you progress through the recruitment process:
Prerequisite qualifications are not provided by DFES. All essential prerequisites, including licences and training certificates, must be current (expired certificates or licences will not be accepted) and obtained by applicants before any offer of employment.
Stages and assessments are subject to change at any time. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. Details of dates, times and location for each assessment stage will be provided to applicants as they progress through the selection process.
Fire and rescue is a job unlike most others. It’s important to consider your expectations and the commitments you’ll need to make before you apply.
You could be posted to any regional or metropolitan career fire station, and you must be prepared for the realities of rostered shift work, plus fixed leave. Until you are appointed to a station permanently, you’ll likely be in the relieving pool working at different stations.
Once you have commenced on station, you work a cycle of four days on duty followed by four days off. This amounts to an average of 42 hours per week and consists of two 10-hour day shifts (0800 to 1800) followed by two 14-hour night shifts (1800 to 0800). Firefighters are paid for 40 hours per week with the additional two hours per week accruing as additional annual leave.
Current Firefighter Rates of Pay (Inclusive of Allowances)
Classification
Weekly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)
Yearly Wage
(effective on and from June 2024)
Trainee Firefighter
$1,730.00
$90,263.98
5th Class Firefighter
$1,863.20
$97,196.93
4th Class Firefighter
$1,896.50
$98,934.08
3rd Class Firefighter
$1,979.60
$103,269.13
2nd Class Firefighter
$2,029.40
$105,867.03
1st Class Firefighter
$2,195.60
$114,537.13
Senior Firefighter
$2,278.70
$118,872.18
If you’re selected to attend the Trainee Firefighter School, you’ll be offered a temporary contract to complete an intensive 15-week training program at the Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield. This school is not a live-in program and trainees are required to arrange their own accommodation where necessary.
Trainees will need to be proficient in various computer software packages to successfully complete the theoretical and practical components of the program. Most of the training is conducted at the Academy, with excursions to other locations when required. The hours of duty at the school are generally Monday to Friday between 0700hr and 1700hr; however, trainees may be required to work weekends and/or evenings, often with little notice.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop the base level skills and knowledge needed to commence your career in firefighting. Training covers firefighting skills, community safety, breathing apparatus operations, rescue procedures, hazardous materials response, emergency vehicle driving and workplace communication skills.
Trainee Firefighter School graduates will be promoted to 5th Class Firefighter and begin working shift-based rosters as part of an operational crew.
Once you have graduated from Trainee Firefighter School and have been promoted to the rank of 5th Class Firefighter, you will commence the compulsory five-year Firefighter Development Program (FDP). As you progress through the FDP and obtain the required practical experience and theoretical knowledge, you will be promoted through the ranks up to 1st Class Firefighter, then Senior Firefighter.
DFES offers equal opportunities for all staff. Career progression is offered to all firefighters, and all applicants are selected on merit. Once firefighters have completed their mandatory five-year FDP, they have obtained all the necessary competencies to be considered for other opportunities. This includes promotion to Station Officer and higher, with further training provided. There are also opportunities to work in more specialist areas including training, state operations, rescue, and many more.
