Firefighter salary guide 2026–27: award rates, take-home pay and what changes your fortnight
Firefighter pay in Australia is set by the Fire Fighting Industry Award. For public sector full-time, a Qualified firefighter earns $1,607.97 per week ($42.32 per hour), while a Station officer earns $1,994.48 per week ($52.49 per hour). The median for fire and emergency workers is $2,473 per week, annualising to $128,596.
Firefighter salary under the award
Firefighter pay in Australia is governed by the Fire Fighting Industry Award (MA000111). Fair Work publishes minimum rates for public sector employees that include shift loading and average 40 hours loading. These rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
Public sector full-time rates
| Classification | Weekly pay rate | Hourly pay rate |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit | $1,005.10 | $26.45 |
| Firefighter level 1 | $1,444.17 | $38.00 |
| Firefighter level 2 | $1,463.71 | $38.52 |
| Firefighter level 3 | $1,487.28 | $39.14 |
| Qualified firefighter | $1,607.97 | $42.32 |
| Leading firefighter | $1,839.88 | $48.42 |
| Station officer | $1,994.48 | $52.49 |
| Senior station officer | $2,148.65 | $56.54 |
| Fire service communications controller | $2,148.65 | $56.54 |
Part-time rates are also set in the award, with hourly rates matching the full-time equivalents. Overtime and penalty rates apply as specified.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week, so recruit firefighters are just above that floor. The median weekly earnings for fire and emergency workers (including other roles) was $2,473 in May 2025, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, which annualises to about $128,596.
Take-home pay example
To see what reaches your bank account, take a Qualified firefighter earning $1,607.97 per week. Over 52 weeks that is $83,614.44. Under 2026–27 tax settings:
- Tax-free threshold: first $18,200
- 15c per $1 from $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020
- 30c per $1 from $45,001 to $83,614.44: $11,584
- Total tax: $15,604
- Medicare levy (2% of taxable income): $1,672
- Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) phases out completely at this income, so no offset.
Take-home annual: $83,614 – $15,604 – $1,672 = $66,338. Fortnightly: $2,551.
This is a simplified estimate. Your actual pay may differ due to payroll tax-table rounding, salary sacrifice, or other deductions. The Australian Taxation Office provides guidance on work-related deductions for firefighters, which can reduce taxable income.
What changes your fortnight
Three main factors affect your fortnightly take-home:
Tax brackets
The progressive tax system means each dollar you earn above $45,000 is taxed at 30c until $135,000. For a Qualified firefighter, most of your income falls in the 30% bracket. Promotions to Leading firefighter or Station officer push more income into that bracket, increasing the tax deducted each fortnight.
Medicare levy
Full-time firefighters pay the full 2% Medicare levy because their income exceeds the single-person thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013 (latest published). If you have a spouse or dependants, the family thresholds may reduce the levy. The levy is calculated on your taxable income and is withheld from each pay.
Superannuation
Employer super is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your salary. It is not deducted from your take-home pay. For a Qualified firefighter, that adds about $10,034 per year to your total remuneration, but it goes into your super fund, not your bank account. Job advertisements often state a salary “plus super”, meaning the quoted figure is before super is added.
For more detail on how tax and Medicare affect your pay, see Tax and Medicare. To understand super contributions, visit Super. You can also use the Take-home pay tool to estimate your fortnightly amount.
Other considerations
- HELP/HECS debt: If you have a student loan, compulsory repayments are deducted from your pay once your income exceeds the threshold (about $51,550 in 2026–27). This can reduce your take-home by several thousand dollars a year.
- Medicare levy surcharge: If you do not have appropriate private hospital cover and your income exceeds $93,000 (single), you may pay an extra 1% to 1.5% surcharge.
- Salary packaging: Some firefighters can package items like vehicles or laptops, which reduces taxable income and increases take-home.
Always check your pay slip and consult a tax professional for your personal situation.
Questions
How is my fortnightly take-home calculated from my firefighter salary?
Your fortnightly take-home is your gross pay minus income tax and the Medicare levy. For a Qualified firefighter on $1,607.97 per week, annual gross is $83,614. Using 2026–27 tax rates, tax is about $15,604 and Medicare levy about $1,672, leaving roughly $66,338 per year or $2,551 per fortnight. Actual payroll may vary due to tax-table rounding and any additional deductions.
Do I pay the Medicare levy on my firefighter salary?
Yes, if your taxable income exceeds the single-person thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013 (latest published). Full-time firefighters earning above $35,013 pay the full 2% Medicare levy on all taxable income. If you have a spouse or dependants, the family thresholds apply and may reduce the levy.
Is super included in my take-home pay?
No. Superannuation is paid on top of your salary at 12% from 1 July 2026. It is not deducted from your take-home pay. For a Qualified firefighter, employer super adds about $10,034 per year to your total remuneration, but that amount goes into your super fund, not your bank account.