Age Requirements To Join Fire Services in Australia

Age Requirements To Join Fire Services in Australia

I quite often get asked the following questions in regards to Firefighter Age Requirements.

  • What is the firefighter minimum age?
  • is 40 too old to become a firefighter?
  • Can I become a firefighter at age 30?
  • Is there a firefighter age limit?
  • What is the maximum age to become a firefighter?
  • Is there a firefighter age limit?
  • how old do you have to be to volunteer as a firefighter

So in light of these common questions I have made a list of all the firefighter age requirements for each fire service in Australia. As we concentrate on professional firefighter recruitment I have gone into more detail around the age requirements for these brigades but I have still answered how old do you have to be to volunteer as a firefighter at the bottom as an aggregate age across Australia.

The common thing you will find these days is that most services won’t put an age requirement but will require something else to enforce an age limit like licence requirements. I am only guessing here but I imagine the whole point of this is the firefighter recruiters see it as a way to escape the age discrimination possibilities that are faced today.

FRV – Fire Rescue Victoria Firefighter Recruitment Age

No age limit for firefighter recruitment in Victoria. However, applicants must have held a driver’s licence for a two year period by 1 June 2020 (learners permit not included). Probationary licences are acceptable (Green).

Aviation Rescue Fire Fighter (ARFF) – Age Requirement

At least 18 years of age

  • Have a current unrestricted full manual driver’s licence.
  • Ability to get a heavy rigid license minimum four weeks prior to commencement.
  • Hold a year 10 or Year 12 Certificate
  • 2 years full time equivalent experience. This can be any combination of  volunteer work, paid work, professional or elite sport experience or a Bachelors or Masters degree.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES Age Requirement

No specific age requirement BUT before you apply to become a Fire and Rescue firefighter with QFES you MUST meet the following criteria.

  • Manual C class driver licence held for at least 1 year OR manual medium rigid driver licence.
  • You will also need a “Blue Card”
  • 2 years full time or equivalent paid work experience.
  • Successful completion of year 12 – Equivalent that are recognised by QFES can be found here 

Department of Fire and Emergency Services – DFES Age Requirement

While there are no specific age restrictions or ranges for applicants, in order to be suitable an applicant must hold their Heavy Rigid Drivers License and this usually requires them to have held their normal C class license for a minimum of 2 years.

As a general guide, the majority of successful applicants are aged between 25 and 35 years.

Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) – SAMFS Age Requirement

No age restrictions as long as you meet the licence eligibility requirements below

You must have a current and valid C Class (Car) driver’s licence at the time of application. It’s not acceptable to have a probationary or provisional licence. Prior to the start of the recruit course, you must obtain your MR driver’s licence at your own cost. Applicants would be given time during the recruitment process to obtain their MR driver’s licence.

Fire and Rescue NSW (F&RNSW) – Fire & Rescue NSW Age Requirement

No age limit but you must 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

Northern Territory Fire and Rescue (NTF&R)

No age limit, however there may be age restrictions in relation to the Medium Rigid Licence, this is something you should check with your local Motor Vehicle Registry office.

Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) – SEE FRV

See FRV – Fire Rescue Victoria

MFB is an equal opportunity employer and therefore, other than being old enough to hold a driver’s license, applicants of any age who consider themselves suitably skilled are welcome to apply.

How Old Do You Have to be to Volunteer as a Firefighter

Country Fire Authority (CFA)

The minimum age to become a CFA member is 16 years (16 & 17 years olds will need parental consent), and some Brigades also run a Junior Program for 11-15 year olds.

There is no age limit. However, you must have a full, manual driver’s license to apply (You are ineligible if you have a probationary license), CFA’s professional firefighters are now part of “Fire Rescue Victoria” as of the middle of 2020, see above for details.

QFES Auxiliary

There are no specific age limits to becoming an auxiliary firefighter, with the exception of compulsory retirement at 65.

I will update this post when age requirements change

Hope this is helpful,

Brent C


P.S. Whenever you’re ready… here are 4 ways we can help you Get The Edge over the competition

1. Get my FREE Training – “How to Become Firefighter without wasting time”

I conduct a free training where I show you the proven roadmap on how to become a firefighter without wasting time and money. – Click Here

2. Join our Firefighter Recruitment Training page

It’s our new Facebook community where smart, aspiring firefighters learn how to get the edge and land in the top 5% — Click here

3. Join our Membership Implementation Program

Get access to all courses and software, LIVE Q&A group, access to the industry’s best aptitude and interview coaches. — Get into the Top 5% of Applicants – Click Here

4. Work with Me and the team, privately

If you’d like to work directly with me and the team to give yourself the best chance for your upcoming recruitment campaign, let us know a little about your situation to see if we are a good fit for each other – Click Here

Brent C

After becoming a Firefighter, I developed a massive interest in the Fire Services Recruitment and Selection Processes. I've been in the fire service working since 2007 to learn everything about how Fire Services Recruitment works. I've tested and refined proven methods to help people get the edge over the competition. Today, over 300 of my former students are living their Firefighter dream.

FREE TRAINING: Become a Firefighter Without Wasting Years of Your Life!

0 Shares
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin