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FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT · SAMFS

SAMFS firefighter recruitment, explained

South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service publishes a tight merit list and runs a two-stage PAT — a beep test first, then a functional capacity assessment. Interview performance is what usually decides ordering at the top of the list.

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South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service

SAMFS · SA

South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service

MFS publishes a tight merit list — interview performance often decides ordering.

Recruitment stages
  1. Application
  2. Cognitive & aptitude test
  3. Group assessment
  4. Interview
  5. PAT, medical & merit list
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 & aptitude test

SAMFS recruitment FAQ

What is SAMFS's two-stage PAT?

SAMFS splits its physical assessment into a beep test (a screening stage) followed by a functional capacity assessment that simulates firefighting tasks. You need to clear stage one to attend stage two.

How competitive is the SAMFS merit list?

SAMFS publishes small intakes against a much larger pool of qualified candidates, so the merit list is tight. Interview and group-assessment performance typically separate the top of the list from the rest.

Are SAMFS PAT minimums different from the national fallback?

SAMFS publishes the national fallback range as its minimums — Beep Test level 9.6, 25 push-ups, 60-second plank, 40 kg grip strength. Train past those numbers, not to them.

Further reading

Parent state

South Australia firefighter recruitment

SAMFS sits inside the broader South Australia recruitment picture. The state guide covers the other services operating in SA and how they compare.

See the SA guide →

Find out where you actually stand

Fifteen minutes, free, no card — just a quick signup. FirePrep benchmarks you against the same SAMFS domain weights and PAT minimums shown 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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