CAREER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT · FRV

FRV firefighter recruitment, explained

Separate selection performance from physical-test compliance when planning for FRV. The written test, group work and interview deserve deliberate practice; the physical tasks need their own technique and safety preparation.

Check my readiness Explore the guide ↓ Recruitment dates →

FRV: 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 and driving history

Check whether the licence guidance specifies a campaign reference date. Keep any timing qualifications with the requirement rather than substituting a generic rule.

Work rights

Applicants must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens who entered Australia on a valid passport. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Licence tenure and demerits

For the published campaign, applicants must have held a driver licence for two years by 1 January 2027, excluding learner periods; green probationary licences are accepted. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Eight or more driving demerits at application or before an employment offer disqualify an applicant. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Criminal history

Applicants undergo a nationally coordinated criminal history check and must satisfy FRV’s criminal and driving history policies. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Published campaign and course window

Check which dates concern applications and which concern course attendance before adding them to your calendar.

Application and course context

Campaign applications ran 4–17 May 2026, midday deadlines, for 2027/2028 recruit courses. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Published opening and closing days

For the 2026 campaign, the published applications open date is 4 May 2026. Historical campaign date. Midday as published. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

For the 2026 campaign, the published applications close date is 17 May 2026. Historical campaign date. Midday as published. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Written selection, group work and official merit

Prepare each assessed skill separately. Official merit guidance below is not the same as FirePrep's modelled distribution of training effort.

Written-test content and calculator

ACER literacy, numeracy, abstract/mechanical reasoning; pass every subtest and meet ranking requirement. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Use the supplied on-screen calculator; personal calculators are not allowed. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Result validity

Written-selection-test results remain valid for three years. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Group assessment and work preferences

Group activities test written/verbal communication, teamwork and practical problem solving. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Untimed supervised work-preference questionnaire informs interview; it is not pass/fail. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Interview and official merit

Approximately 45-minute selection interview includes general and behavioural questions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Merit weights: written test 20%, group assessment 30%, interview 50%. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Employment medical

Pre-employment medical includes drug testing; individual assessment determines suitability. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Vaccination and immunity evidence

Required evidence: hepatitis A/B, MMR and diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis; latter within ten years. Varicella is recommended. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Hepatitis B/MMR immunity testing and indicated boosters are required; incomplete evidence can jeopardise offer. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Shuttle run and task-specific PAT technique

Read each physical task as its own protocol. Keep loads, distances, permitted adjustments and warnings together rather than reducing them to a generic fitness table.

Shuttle-run standard

beep test level: ≥ 9.6 level — Reach level 9.6 in FRV’s 20-metre shuttle run. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Physical reattempts

FRV permits a second shuttle-run attempt and a second PAT attempt. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Ladder raise and extension

Raise/lower 9m ladder hand-over-hand; one hand per rung, retaining control. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Extend ladder ten rungs and house it with controlled hand-over-hand rope movement. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

High-rise pack and container haul

Carry high-rise pack on right shoulder to second floor; every step, using handrail. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Haul 15kg container hand-over-hand onto second-floor balcony; head/hands outside for visibility; carry pack upstairs to fifth floor using every step/handrail. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Height observation and chain cutting

Identify three ground shapes from fifth-floor balcony; one error permits a substitute shape. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Cut both sides of chain link with bolt cutters; descend with pack on left shoulder. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Hose advance

Drag hose 20m, return 10m, drag again; turn 45 degrees, advance 10m, pull 10m into box. The former 70-second limit is removed. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Equipment carry and charged hose

Carry two equipment bags 20m and restore them to appliance. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Advance charged 50mm hose 5m, then follow targeting instructions for two minutes. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Couplings and casualty rescue

Connect seven hose couplings by matching colours; hand-tighten. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Lift 72kg casualty to chest height; drag backwards 45m including ramp. Readjusting grip is allowed without losing contact. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Offer conditions, training and posting

Plan for licence instructions, recruit training and a posting rather than assuming a preferred station.

Heavy vehicle licensing

Obtain HR licence after an employment offer, under offer instructions. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Training and station assignment

Approximately 20 weeks at Craigieburn; pass practical and theory assessments. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

Graduates can be assigned to FRV stations throughout Victoria. 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 preparation40%
Cognitive / aptitude25%
Interview15%
Psychometric15%
Group preparation5%

FRV preparation questions

What does the FRV written test assess?

ACER literacy, numeracy, abstract/mechanical reasoning; pass every subtest and meet ranking requirement. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. Written-selection-test results remain valid for three years. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.

How does FRV calculate merit?

Merit weights: written test 20%, group assessment 30%, interview 50%. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. FirePrep's training model is separate from official merit scoring.

Are physical reassessments available?