ACT Fire & Rescue crest
Ready.Willing.Able.

Could you be a firefighter?

Being a firefighter is no ordinary job. It’s varied, challenging and genuinely rewarding. Take two minutes to discover the strengths you’d bring to ACT Fire & Rescue.

This is just for you. There are no right answers here, just a quick way to picture yourself in the role. Nobody is born a firefighter, and we train you from the ground up.
About 2 minPrivate8 questions

There’s no such thing as a typical firefighter.

Our people come from every walk of life: trades, healthcare, hospitality, parenting, study and careers of every kind. The best crews bring different strengths together. If you’ve ever wondered “could that be me?”, this is for you.

1 / 8
Question 1

.

Why firefighters love it

.

.

Your firefighter profile
.
0%Mindset
match

The strengths you’d bring
Let’s clear a few things up

Liked your result? Next, the real path in, and the best parts of the job.

The honest picture

More than fighting fires

ACT Fire & Rescue protects life, property and the environment across the Territory, working 24 hours a day from nine stations around Canberra. Every firefighter is trained across firefighting, rescue and hazardous materials, so on any shift you could be called to:

Structure & bushfires
Road crash rescue
Hazardous materials
Vertical, confined-space & trench rescue
Urban search & rescue
Medical assist
Community education
Prevention & fire investigation

And it doesn’t stop at emergencies. Between calls, crews maintain trucks and equipment, train constantly, keep their fitness up, inspect buildings, investigate the causes of fires and run safety education in schools and across the community.

Why people love this job
A second familyA tight crew who has your back, on every shift.
Work that mattersYou make a real difference on people’s worst days.
Always learningPaid, world-class training and skills for life.
Real time offA roster with blocks of days off for life outside work.
A career, not a jobSecure, ongoing, with genuine progression.
Active and variedHands-on work, with chances to specialise as your career grows.
Life on the 10/14 roster

It’s simpler than it sounds. You work two day shifts, then two night shifts, then four days off in a row. That eight-day pattern repeats, and is shared across four platoons (A, B, C and D) so Canberra is covered around the clock.

Day shift · 8am to 6pm Night shift · 6pm to 8am Days off

How it falls over the next fortnight, starting today:

Day shifts are ten hours (8am to 6pm) and nights are fourteen hours (6pm to 8am). It averages about 42 hours a week over an eight-week cycle, so you get whole weekdays back for family, study, a side pursuit or simply rest.

Four days off each cycleWeekday time backPredictable & rosteredRound-the-clock cover
From recruit to officer

Everyone starts in the same place and grows from there. The path most firefighters follow:

1
Recruit firefighterYour starting point. You complete Recruit College, around 22 weeks of training in fire behaviour, firefighting, rescue and hazmat, and gain your Heavy Rigid driving licence.
2
FirefighterYou join an operational crew and build real skills across every discipline, progressing through the firefighter levels as you qualify.
3
Senior firefighterAn experienced hand the crew leans on for the toughest jobs, and who helps bring newer firefighters up to speed.
4
Station OfficerYour first command rank, leading a crew and station on shift and making the calls on the fireground.
5
CommanderTaking charge of larger, more complex incidents and overseeing multiple crews and stations.
6
Superintendent & senior leadershipSenior officer roles shaping operations, training and strategy, up to the Chief Officer who leads ACT Fire & Rescue.

Promotion is earned through experience, qualifications and demonstrated leadership, not time alone. Many firefighters also specialise along the way in areas like urban search and rescue, hazmat, fire investigation, driving, training or community safety.

Your path to the fireground

It’s a thorough, multi-stage process, and every stage is a real selection point. The good news is you can prepare for each one, and we run info sessions and come-and-try days to help you get ready.

1
ApplicationApply online with your details and evidence you meet the entry requirements.
2
Aptitude testing & selection criteriaOnline reasoning tests (verbal, mechanical, spatial, numerical, critical thinking) plus written and video responses. Practice tests help you prepare.
3
Beep testAn in-person multistage fitness test against a set standard you can train towards.
4
Teamwork & initial interviewA group exercise and a short interview, where you show how you work with others.
5
Physical aptitude testPractical tasks like lifting, carrying and endurance. Technique and preparation, not brute strength.
6
Formal interviewA panel interview about your values, your decisions and why you want the role.
7
Medicals & psychometric testingHealth checks plus personality and behaviour assessments.
8
Licences & uniform fittingThe final stage of the process, for successful candidates.

A career, not just a job.

Most firefighters stay for the long haul, building deep expertise, lifelong friendships and real pride in serving their community across Canberra.

Paid, ongoing roleFull training providedSpecialise & progressTight-knit team
Ready.Willing.Able.

Register your interest

Be first to know when applications open, get info-session invites, fitness and aptitude prep tips, and answers to your questions. No commitment, just the next step.

Please enter your first name
Please enter a valid email
Optional, and only ever used to understand and better support our applicants. It’s never used to screen you out.
Please tick to let us contact you

Your details are sent securely. You can unsubscribe at any time.

You’re on the list
ACT Fire & Rescue crest
Thank you!

We’ll be in touch with what’s next: info sessions, prep resources and the moment applications open.

While you wait
1.Start moving. Build towards the beep test with regular cardio. Even brisk walks count to begin with.
2.Try free practice aptitude tests (verbal, numerical, abstract, spatial) to get comfortable.
3.Come to a come-and-try day and talk to a firefighter. Hearing it first-hand changes everything.
ACT Government, ACT Emergency Services Agency An ACT Emergency Services Agency initiative. This tool is a guide to help you explore a career with ACT Fire & Rescue. It is not part of the formal selection process. For official eligibility and application details, visit the ACTF&R careers page.