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Permanent Firefighters

More than fighting fire

Being a firefighter is no ordinary job. The work is varied, challenging and rewarding, often operating in confronting and stressful situations, particularly when people are injured or threatened with injury and loss of life.

Our firefighters are an intelligent, highly skilled, ethical and professional team of men and women from all walks of life, who are prepared for anything.

We help anyone, anywhere, anytime, responding to any emergency necessary and we are passionate about safety, education and prevention.

Are you ready to fire up your career?!

Application for the 2026 Recruitment Campaign will open 9 March 2026

Key Dates

Applications Open: Monday 9 March 2026 

Applications Close: Friday 20 March 2026

Online Assessment and Video Interview: Monday 23 March 2026 - Thursday 26 March 2026 

Physical Aptitude Test (PAT): Monday 20 April - Thursday 23 April (held at Albion Park) and Friday 8 May 2026 - Friday 12 June 2026 (held at Olympic Park) Dates may be subject to change

Assessment Centre: Tuesday 28 April  - Friday 1 May and  Monday 18 May 2026 - Thursday 18 June 2026 (held at Fire and Rescue NSW Head Office Greenacre) Dates may be subject to change

Successful candidates who attend the earlier PAT and Assessment Centre sessions may be progressed for placement into the July and August 2026 recruit classes. Due to anticipated high interest, selection for earlier sessions will be random, with priority based on applicants’ availability responses in the online application form.

Meet some of our crew

Fire Fit

Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation. We put life first and train to get it right. 

Tasks include carrying heavy loads such as personal protective equipment, handling temperature extremes, variable terrains and confined spaces, all of which impose unique physical and physiological demands on firefighters. 

The FireFit Training Guide is based on an 8-12 week program, depending on each individual's fitness level, and is available to help eligible candidates prepare for the Physical Aptitude Test (PAT) during the recruitment campaign. 

The PAT is an assessment of the inherent requirements of firefighting and has been designed specifically to identify and recruit individuals who are physiologically capable of tolerating the work-related demands of firefighting.

We encourage you to start training as early as possible to reach and maintain the required level of fitness.

 

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Prepare for the PAT

Interested in learning more about what the Physical Aptitude Test (PAT) involves? Have a look through our PAT videos to learn more about what to expect:

  • The videos show each of the tasks that make up the PAT
  • The PAT is performed as a circuit 
  • Candidates should note the criteria and requirements for each task
  • Candidates must not run at any point during the PAT
  • Rest can be taken between tasks but this will increase the overall time of the PAT completion

 

 

Stage 1

  • Reduced visibility search
  • Ladder simulation

 

 

 

Stage 2

  • Single-sided jerry can carry
  • Stair climb with single-sided jerry can carry
  • Rescue tool static holds
  • Repeated hose drag

 

Stage 3

  • Fire attack simulation
  • Firefighter rescue

 

 

 

Train Like a Firefighter

We have created a series of exercise focused videos which show you how each exercise relates to the physical demands required of firefighters. 

A high degree of strength and endurance is crucial for firefighters to enable the safe and effective execution of operational duties. This includes more than fire, with HAZMAT, Rescue and natural disaster relief jobs contributing to the overall workload. To best prepare for these tasks, both maximal strength and muscular endurance should be targeted and depending on your focus, this will influence the weights and repetitions used in the gym. 

Happy training!