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FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT · VIC

Victorian firefighter recruitment, explained

Victoria runs two parallel pathways: Fire Rescue Victoria (career) and the CFA (career + volunteer). Both lean on the ACER written test early, and the rest of the process diverges sharply from there. Here's what to expect from each.

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Services in Victoria

FRV · VIC

Fire Rescue Victoria

FRV's ACER round trims the field hard before you ever touch the beep test.

Recruitment stages
  1. Application
  2. ACER written test
  3. Beep test (PAT stage 1)
  4. Interview
  5. Full PAT & medical
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): 40%
  • Cognitive / aptitude: 25%
  • Interview: 15%
  • Psychometric: 15%
  • Group assessment: 5%

Aptitude format: ACER written test

Latest verified updates
  • intake dates Application dates changed for recruit courses in 2027 and 2028.

Requirements last checked June 2026. Always confirm with the service before applying.

Full FRV recruitment guide →

CFA · VIC

Country Fire Authority

CFA leans on the group day and interview more than most — quiet candidates get missed.

Recruitment stages
  1. Application
  2. ACER written test
  3. Group assessment day
  4. Panel interview
  5. PAT, medical & background
Published PAT minimums
  • Beep Test (level): 9.6 level
  • Push-ups in 1 min: 25 reps
  • Plank hold: 60 sec
  • Grip strength: 42 kg
Domain weighting
  • PAT (physical): 30%
  • Cognitive / aptitude: 20%
  • Interview: 20%
  • Psychometric: 15%
  • Group assessment: 15%

Aptitude format: ACER written test

Full CFA recruitment guide →

Further reading

VIC recruitment FAQ

How many attempts do I get at the FRV written selection test?

FRV caps you at three attempts at the ACER-administered written selection test. Each attempt counts even if you withdraw partway through, so don't sit it cold — burning an attempt because you wanted to 'see what it's like' is the most common avoidable mistake in the FRV pipeline.

What's the difference between FRV and CFA?

Fire Rescue Victoria handles career firefighting in metropolitan Melbourne and the larger regional centres. The CFA covers the rest of Victoria and runs both a career stream and a much larger volunteer brigade. Both use the ACER written test early, then diverge — FRV runs a PAT plus interview, CFA's volunteer pathway is brigade-led.

What's the PAT beep-test cut-off for FRV?

FRV's PAT lands around the national fallback — a beep test in the 9.6-10.0 range, alongside push-ups, plank and grip components. Treat the published number as the floor for a pass, not the target — the candidates getting offers are clearing it with room to spare.

Can I apply to both FRV and the CFA?

Yes. They're separate organisations with separate recruitment campaigns, so an application to one doesn't affect the other. Many candidates run both pathways in parallel, especially if they're open to volunteering with the CFA while waiting for an FRV intake.

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 VIC 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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