Australia's Volunteer Firefighters — An Extraordinary Community
Australia's volunteer firefighting system is one of the most remarkable examples of community service anywhere in the world. More than 220,000 Australians give their time — sometimes at great personal risk, away from their families and workplaces — to protect their communities from fire. This volunteer workforce dwarfs the career fire service by a ratio of approximately 20:1.
During the catastrophic 2019–20 Black Summer bushfire season, volunteer firefighters from the CFA, NSW RFS, QFES, DFES and other agencies spent months on the fireground, often far from home. Many took extended leave from their civilian jobs. Some were injured. Three died. They received no pay. They went because they were trained, equipped, and committed to protecting people they had never met.
If you're considering volunteering, you're considering joining one of Australia's most respected and impactful communities. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting started.
Why Volunteer? The Real Reasons People Join
People volunteer as firefighters for a wide variety of reasons, and honest conversations with volunteers reveal that the motivations are more personal and varied than the simple "community service" narrative often portrays.
Community Connection
Brigades are the social fabric of many Australian rural communities. Volunteering builds deep, lasting friendships across generations and backgrounds.
World-Class Training
Volunteers receive free professional training equivalent to what career firefighters receive — valued at tens of thousands of dollars if purchased commercially.
Real Emergency Experience
Unlike most occupations, volunteer firefighting puts you in genuine high-stakes situations where your actions make a real difference to people's lives.
Career Pathway
Volunteer experience is the single most effective way to strengthen a career firefighter application. Agencies value genuine commitment and operational experience above almost everything else.
Life Skills
First aid, trauma response, rope rescue, navigation, team leadership under pressure — skills developed volunteering apply across every aspect of life.
Purpose & Identity
Many volunteers describe their brigade membership as a core part of who they are. The sense of purpose and identity that comes with the role is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
"The day I got my pager, I realised I was part of something much bigger than myself. Fifteen years later, I've been to hundreds of fires, saved several homes, and made friends I'll have for life. I don't know who I'd be without the brigade."— CFA volunteer, Victoria (25+ years service)
How to Join — Step by Step
Find Your Local Brigade
The first step is identifying which brigade or group covers your local area. Use the brigade finder tools on your state agency's website (links below). Visit the station, introduce yourself, and attend an open night or information session. Most brigades welcome walk-ins during training nights.
Complete an Application
Submit a volunteer application through your state agency's website or via the local brigade. Typical requirements include your personal details, any relevant experience, your availability, and emergency contact information. There is no cost to apply.
Background & Reference Checks
All agencies conduct a National Police Check and reference verification for volunteer applicants. This process typically takes 2–4 weeks. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you — the nature and recency of any offence is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recruit Induction Training
New volunteers complete a Recruit Induction program — a foundational training course covering fire behaviour, personal protective equipment, basic suppression techniques, communications, crew safety and brigade culture. This is typically conducted over several weekends or evenings. The training is free and provided by the agency.
Join the Response Roster
Once recruit induction is complete, you'll join the brigade's pager/response network. Your pager will alert you to incidents in your area, and you'll respond to the station to join a crew. In some brigades, new recruits observe for a period before being active in operational roles.
Ongoing Training & Endorsements
Volunteer development continues throughout your membership. Advanced endorsements include Tanker Operator, Structural Firefighting, Chainsaw Operations, Breathing Apparatus, swift water rescue and many others. You progress at your own pace, guided by brigade leadership and agency training calendars.
State by State: Volunteer Agencies
Country Fire Authority (CFA)
The CFA is one of the world's largest volunteer-based fire services, with over 55,000 volunteers across more than 1,200 brigades serving rural and regional Victoria. The CFA operates in a unique model alongside the career-based Fire Rescue Victoria, covering all areas outside the major metropolitan and urban fire districts.
Min age: 16 (with parental consent) | Website: cfa.vic.gov.au
The CFA also has a strong Junior Cadet program for ages 11–16, providing structured leadership and fire safety education before operational membership eligibility.
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS)
With over 70,000 members across more than 2,000 brigades, the NSW RFS is Australia's largest volunteer fire service and one of the largest in the world. The RFS covers rural and regional NSW, providing fire suppression, hazard reduction, and community fire safety education services.
The 2019–20 Black Summer represented an extraordinary deployment of NSW RFS resources — brigades from across the state, and internationally from Canada and the USA, worked alongside NSW RFS volunteers for months. The experience reinforced the crucial importance of the volunteer force.
Min age: 16 | Website: rfs.nsw.gov.au
QFES Rural Fire Service Queensland
Queensland's rural fire services are managed under QFES (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services), with volunteers serving in Rural Fire Brigades across Queensland's vast geographic area. Queensland's fire environment is diverse — from tropical grass fires in the far north to intense eucalypt forest fires in the south-east.
Min age: 16 | Website: qfes.qld.gov.au
DFES Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service
DFES operates volunteer brigades across WA's regional and remote communities through the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) and Bush Fire Brigades (BFBs). Given WA's geographic scale, volunteers in remote areas often operate with significant autonomy and carry significant community responsibility.
Min age: 16 | Website: dfes.wa.gov.au
Country Fire Service (CFS)
SA's Country Fire Service protects rural South Australia with around 12,000 volunteers across more than 400 brigades. SA's Mediterranean climate creates severe fire danger conditions, and the CFS plays a critical role in protecting life, property and agricultural assets across the state.
Min age: 16 | Website: cfs.sa.gov.au
What's the Time Commitment?
One of the most common questions prospective volunteers ask is about time commitment. The honest answer: it varies significantly depending on your location, the brigade's call-out frequency, and how active a role you choose to take.
- Training nights: Most brigades have a weekly or fortnightly training night — typically 2–3 hours. Attendance is encouraged but generally not mandatory at every session.
- Weekend exercises: Brigades often conduct weekend practical exercises, particularly during cooler months when fire risk is lower. These may be half or full days.
- Emergency callouts: Callout frequency varies enormously by location. An inner-suburban brigade may respond to a handful of incidents per year. A rural brigade in a high-risk area might respond to dozens of incidents during fire season. Your pager will alert you to incidents, but you respond as your availability allows.
- Fire season: In high-risk areas, volunteer commitment during peak fire season (generally November–March in southern Australia, year-round in northern Australia) can be substantial. Major fires may require multi-day deployments.
Most employers support volunteer firefighter leave under the National Employment Standards. Some state governments provide additional protections and compensation arrangements for volunteers who lose income responding to declared emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions — Volunteer Firefighting
Want to make volunteering your career? Read our How to Become a Career Firefighter Guide. Need to prepare your fitness first? See our Fitness Training Guide.