Like any other state globally, fire service recruitment in Australia is a pretty tough and rigorous process. The number of applications usually outstrips available slots by a country mile and competition is stiff. However, when you are armed with right practice materials and the right kind of information, your chances to qualify can improve dramatically.
Role of a Firefighter
Fire service in Australia falls under three categories:
• Urban and salaried
• Government land with volunteer and/or salaried opportunities
• Rural and volunteer with some salaried options
Each Australian firefighter organization has its own mission, goals, history and culture. It’s important to bear in mind that most firefighters go beyond the core job description of ”fighting fires.” Other tasks carried out by Australian firefighters include:
• Inspecting the aftermath of structure or bush fires
• Inspecting buildings for safety and issuing an official stamp of approval
• Working in rescue operations for various emergencies including auto accidents, rural/outback issues, marine disasters etc
• Call for disaster response after natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and so on
Obviously the average Australian firefighter undergoes quite rigorous training to attain the desired skill level to face these challenges. But to really stand out, you need to have that ”extra something” including:
• Having a strong commitment to the community
• Enjoying being part of the team
• Constantly improving through training
• Being able to remain calm in adverse conditions
• Having the ability to operate independently
Minimum Firefighter Career Entry Requirements
To qualify as a firefighter in Australia, you need the following minimum requirements:
• Sound literacy numeracy skills
• The self-discipline to carry out orders
• Sufficient basic physical strength for rapid and sustained effort
• A sympathetic and caring approach to emergency victims
Driver’s License
As a minimum, you should be a holder of a valid C Class (car) driver’s license at the time of application. You will be required to obtain an MR driver’s license at the commencement of recruitment and a HR driver’s license within the first 12 months of employment so as to progress from a 4th Class Firefighter to 3rd Class Firefighter.
Other requirements to qualify for firefighter career recruitment in Australia include:
• National criminal record history check
• Driver history
• Medical checkup
Computer skills are not considered a critical requirement when applying to train as a firefighter. The ability to use common applications like Microsoft Word and Outlook is, however, considered an added bonus.
As you can see, the requirements that you need to fulfill before you become a firefighter in Australia is quite daunting. Use the above tips and stay up to date with employment and hiring information of different fire departments across Australia.
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