QFD recruitment 2027: process and fitness requirements
Build your QFD career recruitment plan around eligibility deadlines, the selection sequence and Queensland's service-specific fitness requirements. Read beep-test and OFAT instructions alongside the published campaign timetable; application, assessment and course dates are different milestones.
QFD: 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.
Qualifications, licences and timing
Check entry conditions and document deadlines separately. Ask recruitment to clarify any licence wording you find unclear rather than inferring a rule.
Work rights, education and experience
Applicants must be Australian/New Zealand citizens or have permanent residence status. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Year 12 or a QFD-recognised equivalent is required. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
At least two years of full-time-equivalent general paid work experience is required. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Blue Card
Candidates must be eligible for a working-with-children Blue Card and provide a current paid card during selection. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Licence conditions and certificate timing
Mandatory list specifies manual C held one year or manual MR; the same pack also mentions minimum P2. Seek campaign-specific clarification. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Before recruit training, evidence of current first aid, advanced resuscitation and a manual MR licence is required. QFD advises waiting for its request before completing time-sensitive qualifications. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
The published campaign calendar
A campaign name can refer to future recruit courses rather than the year applications begin.
Application, assessment and course context
2027 campaign for 2027/28 courses: applications May–June 2026; beep July; online August–October; OFAT November; panel January 2027; psychology February; final checks March–April. Dates remain provisional. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Application, cognitive testing and interview
Prepare for the stated application system and testing conditions. Keep psychological assessment and referee checks distinct from interview practice.
Application instructions
Create Nexus profile/resume; recruit applicants leave non-mandatory suitability statement blank. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Cognitive testing
Proctored mechanical/core abilities: literacy, numeracy, problem solving; no personal calculator, paper or phone. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Panel and referees
Panel usually 30–45 minutes; behavioural examples; notes allowed during perusal, not interview. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
At least two current/past employer referees; QFD initiates criminal/integrity checks. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Psychological and medical assessment
Online plus Brisbane group/individual psychology; results valid 12 months; adverse profile may exclude campaigns during validity. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Full medical before course, applicant-funded; medical advisor assesses individual circumstances. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Qualified reattempt guidance
Pack permits a second beep attempt within campaign if first result reaches 8.0; webpage blanket reattempt wording conflicts. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Pack permits a second OFAT attempt within assessment period; webpage blanket reattempt wording conflicts. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
OFAT: timing and task protocols
Train for the Operational Focused Abilities Test as described, not a generic PAT or assumed swim battery. Keep strict timing comparisons distinct from inclusive limits.
Beep-test guidance
beep test level: ≥ 9.6 level — Complete level 9.6 in the pass/fail beep test. Higher completion levels do not add merit. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
OFAT format and kit
Candidates undertake QFD’s Operational Focused Abilities Test under its published task protocol. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Part two: 20kg vest, helmet, gloves and harness; stairs add two 6kg shoulder weights. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Cutter-part timing
ofat part one seconds: < 250 seconds — Cutter task: under 250 seconds. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Cutter protocol
19kg cutter, three heights, 20-second holds, three evolutions; complete under 250 seconds. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Circuit timing
ofat part two seconds: < 515 seconds — Six-station circuit: under 515 seconds. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Stairs and forcible entry
Three-minute StairMaster at 60 steps/minute after 20-second warmup at 50; handrail grip fails. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Strike target with 4.5kg sledgehammer until force plate reaches endpoint; missing target fails. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Ladder and container haul
Raise/extend/house/lower 8.8m ladder; every rung, one hand per rung; control rope continuously. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Two controlled 15kg hauls over 5m rail; no railing leverage. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Flaked hose and casualty rescue
Dry 64mm hose: advance 23m, turn 90 degrees, advance 8m; kneel, pull 15.25m into box. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
85kg mannequin: 15m out/back; one stop allowed; second stop fails. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Hose-reel timing
ofat part three seconds: < 204 seconds — Hose-reel task: under 204 seconds. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Hose-reel protocol
Case-one hose: two 45m pulls then full 90m extension; helmet/gloves. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Recovery and safety
Two-minute recovery after each allocated part-one/part-two period; early finish adds recovery. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
No running; falls/dropped equipment fail; repeated warnings can fail. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Course, probation and posting arrangements
Think beyond selection: recruit training and location commitments affect work and family plans.
Recruit program and probation
Sixteen-week recruit program; all pre-employment requirements must be satisfied. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Twelve-month probation starts at recruit-course commencement. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
First posting
Four-year minimum first-location tenure after graduation; transfer eligibility does not guarantee transfer. 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%
QFD preparation questions
Which licence do QFD applicants need?
Mandatory list specifies manual C held one year or manual MR; the same pack also mentions minimum P2. Seek campaign-specific clarification. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. Before recruit training, evidence of current first aid, advanced resuscitation and a manual MR licence is required. QFD advises waiting for its request before completing time-sensitive qualifications. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-07); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Can I repeat the beep test or OFAT?
Pack permits a second beep attempt within campaign if first result reaches 8.0; webpage blanket reattempt wording conflicts. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack. Pack permits a second OFAT attempt within assessment period; webpage blanket reattempt wording conflicts. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
What is the published campaign timetable?
2027 campaign for 2027/28 courses: applications May–June 2026; beep July; online August–October; OFAT November; panel January 2027; psychology February; final checks March–April. Dates remain provisional. source review overdue (review due 2026-10-08); confirm the current candidate information pack.
Further reading
Firefighter beep test requirements by service
Compare current career-service shuttle-run requirements, understand protocol differences and plan beyond a single fitness score.
FRNSW vs QFD recruitment, compared
Compare FRNSW and QFD career eligibility, assessments, physical protocols and training commitments without relying on outdated test claims.
QFD recruitment process: every stage explained
A practical QFD career recruitment map covering application evidence, the beep test, reasoning, OFAT, interview, psychology and final checks.
QFD recruit cycle: plan the campaign, not just the application
Prepare for QFD career recruitment with a campaign-aware plan for eligibility, assessment, physical protocols and the move into recruit training.
You know what QFD selection involves. How ready are you for it?
The free Readiness Check shows where you stand today across the areas this guide covers, and which one to work on first while there is still time to prepare. It takes about 15 minutes with no card; create a free account at the end to get your personalised readiness breakdown. Your training progress is separate from official recruitment decisions and requirements.
See where I stand