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Firefighter salary in Australia: where it sits on the national pay index
See how firefighter salary compares to the national line using the Salary Index. Award rates, median earnings, and state differences explained.
The median full-time fire and emergency worker earns about $2,280 per week, giving a Salary Index around 109, above the national line of 100.
Firefighter salary on the Australian Salary Index
When people ask about a firefighter salary in Australia, the answer depends on whether you look at award minimums, median earnings, or actual packages. The Salary Index helps you see where any pay figure sits against the national line – where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
What the data says
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that Fire and Emergency Workers (ANZSCO 4412) have median weekly earnings of $2,280 for full-time non-managerial employees. That annualises to roughly $118,560, giving a Salary Index of about 109. That’s 9 points above the national line, meaning the typical firefighter earns more than the average full-time worker.
But that median covers both Fire Fighters and Emergency Service Workers. It’s a useful benchmark, not a guarantee. The underlying data comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023), so it’s a few years old but still the best national snapshot.
Award minimums: the floor
The Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 sets minimum rates for public and private sector firefighters. Here are key classifications (all rates from 1 July 2026):
- Recruit: $1,005.10 per week (index 48.2 – essentially the national minimum wage)
- Qualified Firefighter (public sector): total weekly rate $1,607.97 (includes 30% shift loading and average overtime loading). Annualised: $83,614, index 77.
- Qualified Firefighter (private sector): ordinary hourly rate $38.29 (including shift loading). For 38 hours: $1,455 per week, annual $75,661, index 70.
- Leading Firefighter (public): $1,839.88 per week, index 88.
- Station Officer (public): $1,994.48 per week, index 96.
- Senior Station Officer / Fire Service Communications Controller (public): $2,148.65 per week, index 103.
These are minimums. Many firefighters are covered by enterprise agreements or state awards that pay more. The public sector rates include a built-in allowance for average overtime, which is why the total weekly rate is higher than the private sector ordinary rate.
How the index works
The Salary Index is simple: take yearly gross pay, divide by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. For example, a firefighter earning $90,000 has an index of 83. One earning $130,000 has an index of 120. The index lets you compare any role against the Australian average, regardless of industry or hours.
State and industry context
Firefighters are employed by state fire services (public sector) and private companies (e.g., mining, industrial). State indexes vary – for example, ACT has an index of 109.9, WA 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. Firefighter pay in higher-index states may be stronger, but no state-specific firefighter data is published.
The industries where firefighters work include public administration (index not separately reported) and mining (index 154.7). Private sector firefighters in mining may earn well above the award.
Super and tax
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, on earnings up to $270,830. So on a $100,000 salary, the employer adds $12,000 to super. For tax, a resident earning $100,000 in 2026–27 pays about $22,967 tax plus $2,000 Medicare levy (assuming no HELP or surcharge). Take-home is roughly $75,033. The pay guides section has more detail on how tax affects different incomes.
What to watch
- The median figure ($2,280/week) is for all Fire and Emergency Workers, not just firefighters. It may include roles with different pay structures.
- Award rates are updated each July. The 2026 increase was 4.75%.
- Casual firefighters get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (e.g., $33.05/hr for a Recruit).
- Junior rates apply under the award, but most firefighters are adults.
Bottom line
A firefighter salary in Australia can range from the national minimum wage (index 48) for a recruit to well above the national line (index 109 or more) for experienced, full-time firefighters with overtime. The median sits comfortably above average earnings. To see where your own pay or a job offer lands, use the Salary Index.
FAQs
(FAQs are provided in the faqs array above.)
Questions people ask
What is the average firefighter salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for Fire and Emergency Workers (which includes firefighters) is $2,280 for full-time non-managerial employees. That works out to about $118,560 per year before tax. However, actual pay depends on your classification, employer (public or private sector), and any overtime or allowances. The minimum award rate for a Qualified Firefighter in the public sector is about $1,608 per week, or $83,614 annually.
How does firefighter pay compare to the national average?
The national benchmark (Salary Index 100) is $108,352 per year. The median fire and emergency worker earns about $118,560, giving an index of roughly 109 – meaning they earn about 9% above the national line. But if you're on the award minimum as a Qualified Firefighter, your index would be around 77 (public sector) or 70 (private sector). Most experienced firefighters likely earn between these figures.
What is the minimum wage for a firefighter under the award?
Under the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a Recruit is $1,005.10 (same as the national minimum wage). For a Qualified Firefighter in the public sector, the total weekly rate including shift loading and average overtime is $1,607.97. In the private sector, the ordinary hourly rate (including 30% shift loading) is $38.29, equating to about $1,455 per week for 38 hours. These rates are updated annually, most recently by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.