Step 1.
Application 

Submit an application via the FRNSW careers page using the exact name on your driver licence supported by documentation to verify your eligibility including work rights, education, and driving record.

  • Applications Open: Monday 9 March 2026 
  • Applications Close: Friday 20 March 2026

Video

Application FAQs

There is no age limit however you need to be old enough to have a current motor vehicle drivers’ licence (or equivalent which can be transferred to an Australian Licence) when applying. The minimum is a Provisional P2 – green licence.

Yes, you can. All training is provided, and firefighting is not a prerequisite. We select candidates based on their motivation, aptitude and behaviours. 

Recruits come to us from all kinds of backgrounds, including people who previously worked in offices or administration. Provided you meet the suitability and eligibility requirements the only pre-requisite is a willingness to learn and work hard. 

Check you have answered all questions in the online application form. Some answers are designed to identify candidates who don’t meet entry requirements e.g. Australian driving licence (Green P2 minimum) work right requirements and educational qualifications.  If you do not meet these, your application cannot be accepted. If you are still experiencing issues submitting your application, please email recruitment@fire.nsw.gov.au It is important to contact us prior to the closing date of applications. 

HSC or equivalent higher education qualification  

  • Higher School Certificate or  
  • Certificate III in any discipline or  
  • Trades qualified certificate or  
  • 3 years’ service as a retained (on-call) firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW or  
  • Higher educational qualifications or equivalent  
  • Overseas qualifications must include the Australian equivalent qualification.

One of the following verified by the relevant documentation

  • Australian citizenship 
  • Australian permanent residency  
  • New Zealand passport, birth certificate or citizenship 

Candidates with more than the demerit points stated below at the time of application will not be progressed further. 

  • No more than 7 demerit points accrued for full licence holders 
  • No more than 1 demerit point accrued for provisional licence holders provisional (Green P2 in NSW) 
  • For details around the driving history requirements see the Candidate Information Pack. 

A Medium Rigid (MR) Licence is not required to submit an application, however successful candidates will be required to obtain their MR licence prior to being considered for placement in a recruit training program and accepting an offer of employment, at the candidate’s cost. 

All correspondence between Fire and Rescue NSW and candidates is by email. Candidates without a computer / internet access should use computers available at municipal libraries or internet cafes. To complete the online assessments and video interview, you will need to have a computer or mobile device that has a camera and microphone. 

All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis however some serious offences may mean applications are not progressed. 

Yes, you can if there is no conflict of interest and your priority is to your primary employment as a Permanent Firefighter with FRNSW. 

A risk assessment approach is used for candidates at this stage of recruitment to ensure they are medically suitable to undertake the job of a firefighter. The medical process is comprehensive in nature and candidates who progress to the medical assessment stage will be required to undergo a detailed standardized pre-employment health assessment with a FRNSW Occupational Physician. 

Examples of conditions generally considered not compatible with unrestricted operational firefighting duties include but may not be limited to: asthma (including medicated control), previous heart attack, implantable defibrillators, diabetes requiring insulin, hearing aids, permanent need for blood thinning medications (anticoagulants e.g. warfarin, apixaban), joint replacement surgery. 

Candidates progressed to the pre-employment medical stage should ensure that information from treating doctors/specialists relating to any pre-existing medical conditions is submitted prior to or at a minimum is available at the time of their pre-employment health assessment. This will allow timely assessment and avoid delaying the processing of their application.