What To Expect In The NSW Firefighter Recruiting Process

Joining the NSW Fire Brigades is not just about having a job. It is a great opportunity to become part of a trusted and respected profession. You will become a member of a body of professionals dedicated to the enhancement of community safety, improving quality of life and minimizing the impact of hazards in a variety of emergency situations. However, before this can happen, you have to go through the firefighter recruiting process.

People from different backgrounds and all walks of life can become firefighters.

You must be community minded, team-oriented as well as physically fit. In addition, you have to be someone who enjoys helping people because fire and rescue services can be very demanding. It takes up to twelve months to complete the recruitment process of  NSW Fire & Rescue.

Applicants can submit online applications for firefighter positions whenever there is a recruitment campaign. You will have to answer a number of questions which includes citizenship, education, motor vehicle license status and contact details. An online assessment will then be conducted for candidates that have the necessary basic requirements. This includes the realistic job preview, an unsupervised online assessment and a more comprehensive supervised assessment.

The Higher School Certificate or its equivalent is the minimum education that applicants are expected to have. You have to take a certified copy with you to the supervised assessment. You must have the appropriate type of drivers license and a certified copy of your driving history is required also. Certain criteria will be considered on your driving history.

The next stage of the recruitment program is the physical aptitude test. You will have to participate in a series of physical tests that have been designed to stimulate real life firefighting tasks. In order to make it easier for candidates to excel at this stage, a familiarization day is provided. This gives you the opportunity to become familiar with the usage of some of the equipment and be better prepared for the tests.

Applicants who passed the physical assessment stage will have to go through a panel interview. You will be given the chance to demonstrate that you are suitable for the position of a firefighter. A range of skills such as team work, safety attitude and emotional resilience are usually tested. After this, each individual will then be taken through a mandatory medical assessment.

A criminal history check has to be done for all candidates. Each individual will be dealt with separately so that each case can be properly assessed. If you have a record, a personal interview will be granted so you can discuss the case and provide details of the circumstances. It may also be necessary to produce a copy of police transcript or facts sheet related to the issue.

An offer of employment will be made to you if you are successful at all these stages. This letter is sent to successful applicants about one month before the commencement of the recruit training program. When the offer of employment is given to you, you will have to acquire a Senior First Aid Certificate and a Medium Rigid Drivers License.

What To Expect in the Fire and Rescue NSW Firefighter Recruitment Process (2025)

1. Online Application & Eligibility Screening

When a recruitment campaign opens, you must submit an online application form. It will cover:

• Citizenship and residency status
• Education level (minimum HSC or equivalent)
• Driver’s licence class (a Medium Rigid licence must be obtained before training starts)
• Criminal history declarations

Tip

Ensure your documents (education, driving history) are certified and up-to-date. Late uploads or mistakes at this stage often lead to missed opportunities.

2. Unsupervised Online Assessment (Phase 1A) 

Shortlisted candidates are invited to complete an unsupervised assessment online. This includes:

• A Realistic Job Preview video
• A Work Safety test measuring your risk awareness, emotional regulation, and compliance mindset

You don’t need to rush this; take the test in a quiet environment with no distractions, as your score here determines who progresses.

3. Supervised Aptitude Testing (Phase 1B)

This phase uses the Criteria Corp test suite, including:

• Numerical reasoning
• Verbal reasoning
• Abstract reasoning
• Work Reliability
• Emotify (Emotional Intelligence)

These are timed tests. Many applicants are caught off guard by the pace and complexity, especially in the abstract and verbal reasoning sections.

Fire Recruitment Australia offers tailored practice tests for criterion-style assessments as part of its membership training to help you score in the top percentile.

4. Physical Aptitude Test (PAT)

The Physical Aptitude Test is designed to mimic real firefighting scenarios. You’ll be tested on:

• Reduced visibility navigation
• Ladder simulation
• Stair climbs with weights.
• Hose drags
• Rescue dummy lifts
• Tool handling while fatigued

Familiarisation days may be offered before testing to help applicants train using actual equipment.

5. Panel Interview

If you pass the PAT, you’ll be invited to a behavioural panel interview. This will focus on:

• Emotional resilience
• Safety-first mindset
• Teamwork under pressure
• Your motivation to serve in emergency services

This is not a casual chat; your answers will be scored against the key firefighter selection criteria.

6. Medical & Background Checks

You must pass a a  complete medical examination to proceed. Areas that may be flagged include:

• Hearing and vision requirements
• Cardiac fitness
• Respiratory performance

Here’s a more in-depth overview on firefighter medical reviews

A national criminal history check will also be conducted. If you have a past conviction, it won’t automatically exclude you. Fire and Rescue NSW will allow you to explain it in a formal interview with supporting documentation.

7. Offer of Employment & Final Requirements

Successful applicants will receive a formal offer approximately 4–6 weeks before recruit college begins. Before you start training, you’ll need to:

• Obtain a Senior First Aid Certificate
• Hold a valid Medium Rigid Driver’s Licence.

Training usually takes place at the Emergency Services Academy in Orchard Hills.