Firefighter salary Melbourne: award rates, actual pay and how they compare

What does "firefighter salary Melbourne" mean?

When someone searches for a firefighter salary in Melbourne, they are usually looking for what a firefighter employed by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) can expect to earn. Melbourne’s fire service is the largest in Victoria, and its pay is governed by the national Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 as well as enterprise agreements that top up the minimums. This article explains the award rates, the actual salaries paid by FRV, and how they compare with the national salary index.

Award minimums for Melbourne firefighters

The Fire Fighting Industry Award (MA000111) covers all firefighters in Australia, including those in Melbourne. The award sets separate minimum rates for public sector and private sector employees. For public sector firefighters – which includes FRV – the rates include a 30% shift loading and an average 40‑hours loading. As of 1 July 2026, the total weekly rates are:

• Recruit: $1,005.10
• Firefighter Level 1: $1,444.17
• Firefighter Level 2: $1,463.71
• Firefighter Level 3: $1,487.28
• Qualified Firefighter: $1,607.97
• Leading Firefighter: $1,839.88
• Station Officer: $1,994.48
• Senior Station Officer: $2,148.65

These rates come from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Pay Guide for the Fire Fighting Industry Award. The hourly equivalent for a Firefighter Level 1 is $38.00, which is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Actual salaries at Fire Rescue Victoria

FRV publishes its own salary scales, which are higher than the award minima. According to Fire Rescue Victoria, the current gross weekly salaries are:

• Recruit Firefighter (during 20‑week training): $1,113.60
• Firefighter Level 1 (after training): $1,552.63
• Firefighter Level 2 (after 12 months and modules): $1,581.36
• Firefighter Level 3 (after 24 months and modules): $1,613.62
• Qualified Firefighter (after 36 months and certificate): $1,738.86

These amounts already include shift loadings and are paid under the FRV enterprise agreement. The difference between the award minimum and FRV’s actual pay reflects the higher conditions negotiated for Melbourne’s firefighters.

Private sector firefighter pay

The award also covers private sector firefighters – for example those working at airports, industrial sites, or private fire services. Their minimum rates are lower because they do not receive the same shift and average‑hours loadings. A private sector Firefighter Level 1 earns a minimum of $26.45 per hour ($1,005.10 per week). Saturday work attracts time‑and‑a‑half, Sunday double time, and public holidays double time and a half. Private sector employers may also have enterprise agreements that lift pay above the award.

State differences in firefighter pay

While the national award sets a baseline, each state’s fire service negotiates its own enterprise agreement. Victoria’s FRV rates are one example. In New South Wales, Fire and Rescue NSW has its own award and salary structure, which may differ. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, South Australia’s MFS, and Western Australia’s DFES all have separate arrangements. The award ensures a minimum, but actual pay can vary significantly by state. For a broader view of how state benchmarks compare, see our states page.

Industry differences: public vs private

Firefighting is an industry where the public sector generally pays more than the private sector, mainly because of the shift patterns and the nature of the work. Public sector firefighters work a 10/14 shift system (two day shifts, two night shifts, four days off) and receive generous loadings. Private sector firefighters may work more standard hours but with less penalty pay. The industries page shows how different sectors compare on the salary index.

How firefighter salaries stack up on the salary index

The salary index measures gross ordinary‑time earnings against the national line of 100, which equals $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annualised). A Firefighter Level 1 at FRV earning $1,552.63 per week gives an index of about 74.5. That is well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2, but below the all‑industries average. A Qualified Firefighter at $1,738.86 per week has an index of about 83.5. Including overtime and allowances, some firefighters may exceed the national average.

For comparison, the Victorian state index is 98 (annualised $106,137), so a firefighter’s salary is below the state average for all workers. However, firefighting is a specialised occupation with demanding conditions, and the pay reflects that. To understand how the index is calculated, see how the index works.

Superannuation and tax

FRV firefighters are required to join the Emergency Service Superannuation Scheme (ESSS), a defined‑benefit fund. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, but ESSS may have different contribution arrangements. For tax, a firefighter earning $80,000 per year would pay about $16,438 in tax plus Medicare levy (2%), leaving a take‑home of roughly $63,562. Higher earners pay more. The pay guides section has more detail on award‑based pay.

Conclusion

A firefighter salary in Melbourne is well above the national minimum wage and the award floor, thanks to the enterprise agreement at Fire Rescue Victoria. The salary index sits around 70–85 depending on rank, which is below the all‑industries average but competitive for a public safety role. State and industry differences mean that firefighters in other states or in the private sector may earn less. For anyone considering the career, the FRV salaries shown here are a reliable guide for Melbourne.