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FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT · QLD

Queensland firefighter recruitment, explained

Queensland Fire Department (QFD, formerly QFES) recruits in cycles, and the PAT stage includes a swim component that catches even strong runners off-guard. Here's the full stack of what QLD assesses, in the order you'll meet it.

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The service in Queensland

QFES · QLD

Queensland Fire Department

QFD also tests swim competency at the PAT stage — don't leave that to the week before.

Recruitment stages
  1. Application & eligibility
  2. Cognitive & psychometric
  3. Group exercise
  4. Panel interview
  5. PAT, medical & swim
Published PAT minimums
  • Beep Test (level): 9.6 level
  • Push-ups in 1 min: 25 reps
  • Plank hold: 60 sec
  • Grip strength: 40 kg
Domain weighting
  • PAT (physical): 35%
  • Cognitive / aptitude: 25%
  • Interview: 15%
  • Psychometric: 15%
  • Group assessment: 10%

Aptitude format: Cognitive & psychometric battery

Full QFD recruitment guide →

Further reading

QLD recruitment FAQ

When does QFD next recruit?

Queensland Fire Department recruits in cycles rather than on a fixed annual calendar. The 2026-2027 cycle has been signposted publicly — track the QFD recruitment page and FirePrep's QFD blog post for the exact window, and have your swim and PAT fitness ready before the application opens.

Is there a swim test in the QFD PAT?

Yes. QFD's PAT includes a swim component on top of the usual beep test, push-ups and plank — it catches a lot of otherwise-fit candidates who only trained on dry land. Treat the swim as a separate training block, not an afterthought on PAT day.

What did QFES become?

QFES (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) was restructured in 2024 and the firefighting function now sits inside the Queensland Fire Department (QFD). Recruitment, training and the rank structure are the same continuum — just the name and the org chart changed.

Where is the QFD recruit training college?

QFD recruits attend the training academy in Brisbane. Plan for a full-time, in-residence college block — it's not commuter-friendly from regional Queensland, so factor relocation and time off work into your application decision.

Find out where you actually stand

Fifteen minutes, free, no card — just a quick signup. FirePrep benchmarks you against the same domain weights and PAT minimums as the QLD services above, names your limiting factor — the one area most likely to drop you out — and points your training there first. As your numbers move, the focus moves with you. That's the adaptive loop.

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