CAREER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT · ARFF

ARFF firefighter recruitment, explained

Explore aviation rescue firefighting with location-specific eligibility and the current physical assessment in view. Ordinary gym results are preparation indicators, not substitutes for assessment equipment or official test technique.

Check my readiness Explore the guide ↓ Recruitment dates →

ARFF: from eligibility to training

Career-entry guidance. Open a topic for the requirements, their timing and practical preparation advice. Confirm your current campaign instructions before acting.

Eligibility: check the location as well as the role

Check whether your intended location affects the entry conditions. Build an evidence checklist before paying for qualifications.

Age, work rights and education

Minimum age: 18. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Australian/NZ citizen or Australian permanent resident; Darwin requires Australian citizenship. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Year-10/12 plus two-year qualifying FTE experience, or bachelor/master degree. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Licence and first-aid timing

Unrestricted manual licence; self-funded HR one month before start or offer-specified date. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Current first aid at assessment centre; higher clinical qualifications may qualify. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Water capability and radio-language evidence

Water stations: accepted qualification or ARFF water test before assessment centre. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Provide documentary English-language evidence for radio licensing; published education/work-history routes apply. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Security screening

ASIC security/background screening is required. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Course availability

Course planning and an open application window are not the same thing.

Published course position

2026 courses are filled; RC109 is planned for early 2027, subject to change. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Selection, medical checks and waiting periods

Prepare your application and ask which medical permissions or assessments apply at each step. Do not assume that a clearance covers purposes beyond those stated.

Application and assessment

CV/application answers required; online assessments follow closing. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Medical clearance precedes PAT. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Employment medical and vision testing

Employment requires CASA Class 2 medical plus drug/alcohol screening. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Ishihara screening followed, when indicated, by Farnsworth testing; practical vision test is unavailable. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Reapplication and talent-pool conditions

Assessment-centre failure: twelve-month reapplication wait. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Twelve-month talent pool; later applications may require PAT/assessment centre. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

ARFF PAT: equipment-specific protocols

Use the current demonstration and preserve the prescribed technique. Force-plate outputs are not interchangeable with gym lifting loads or ordinary push-up repetitions.

Current format and test order

ARFF’s PAT standard changed on 16 May 2025. Candidates must use the current official demonstration and assessment instructions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Order: beep, mid-thigh pull, isometric push-up, countermovement jump. Each must pass; failure ends PAT. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Shuttle-run standard

beep test level: ≥ 9.1 level — 20m shuttles; minimum level 9, shuttle 1. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Shuttle-run execution

Foot touches/crosses 20m line; await beep. Two consecutive missed arrivals terminate; continued early departures after warning also terminate. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Mid-thigh pull

isometric mid thigh pull newtons: ≥ 2300 newtons — Fixed mid-thigh bar/force plates, lifting straps; maximum force held ≥2 seconds; three repetitions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Isometric push-up

isometric push up newtons: ≥ 740 newtons — Force plates; elbows 90 degrees, upper back against bar; maximum force ≥2 seconds; three repetitions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Countermovement jump

countermovement jump height cm: ≥ 21 cm — Force-plate jump, hands on hips, chest up; three repetitions; remain still 2–3 seconds between repetitions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Safety and attempt spacing

Assessor may stop unsafe testing; no further components can then be attempted. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Airservices recommends at most two PAT attempts in three months; this is guidance, not a guaranteed entitlement. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Training and posting commitments

Treat training attendance and your initial posting as practical commitments to discuss before accepting an offer.

Recruit course

Eleven-week training at Melbourne ARFF station. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Initial posting

No FIFO; preferred location not guaranteed; minimum three-year initial posting. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Official reading for this guide

Check the service's current candidate material and any instructions sent with your invitation. These links support the topics above.

Turn the guidance into a preparation plan

Keep an application checklist, practise the assessment skills you need and build physical capacity progressively. Review your weakest preparation area regularly. A FirePrep readiness result does not decide eligibility or guarantee selection.

FirePrep's modelled training emphasis

These percentages describe FirePrep's preparation model, not official merit weights, pass marks or selection probabilities. Use official assessment guidance above for recruitment decisions.

Physical preparation35%
Cognitive / aptitude25%
Interview15%
Psychometric15%
Group preparation10%

ARFF preparation questions

Do ARFF eligibility conditions vary by location?

Australian/NZ citizen or Australian permanent resident; Darwin requires Australian citizenship. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. Water stations: accepted qualification or ARFF water test before assessment centre. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Which tests make up the ARFF PAT?

Order: beep, mid-thigh pull, isometric push-up, countermovement jump. Each must pass; failure ends PAT. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. ARFF’s PAT standard changed on 16 May 2025. Candidates must use the current official demonstration and assessment instructions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Can I choose a FIFO posting?