Firefighter salary NSW 2026–27: pay by rank and take-home after tax
A Qualified Firefighter in NSW earns $103,996 a year, or about $3,085 per fortnight after tax, based on the Fire and Rescue NSW award rates for 2026–27.
Firefighter salary NSW: what you take home
If you're looking at a career with Fire and Rescue NSW, the firefighter salary NSW figures for 2026–27 are set by the Crown Employees (Fire and Rescue NSW Permanent Firefighting Staff) Award. The rates include shift loadings and roster allowances, so what you see is what you earn before tax. After income tax and the Medicare levy, your fortnightly take-home varies by rank.
Pay by rank (annual and take-home)
The table below shows the weekly and annual salary for each rank, plus the estimated take-home pay per fortnight after tax and Medicare. These are based on the award rates effective from 26 February 2026 and the 2026–27 tax scales.
| Rank | Weekly wage | Annual salary | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit Firefighter | $1,555.69 | $81,118 | $2,486 |
| Firefighter | $1,795.01 | $93,597 | $2,813 |
| Qualified Firefighter | $1,994.45 | $103,996 | $3,085 |
| Senior Firefighter | $2,114.13 | $110,237 | $3,248 |
| Leading Firefighter | $2,233.78 | $116,476 | $3,411 |
| Station Officer | $2,532.95 | $132,075 | $3,819 |
| Leading Station Officer | $2,592.79 | $135,195 | $3,900 |
| Inspector | $2,991.69 | $155,995 | $4,388 |
| Superintendent | – | $194,176 | $5,271 |
| Chief Superintendent | – | $209,798 | $5,589 |
Source: using the award and ATO tax rates.
How it compares to benchmarks
A Qualified Firefighter's $103,996 is well above the Minimum wage of $52,255 a year. It sits slightly below the Average pay for full-time adult ordinary time earnings, which is $108,352. That means firefighters are paid competitively, especially when you factor in the shift allowances already built into the award.
Super and the Medicare levy
Employer super is paid on top of these salaries at 12% from 1 July 2026. The take-home figures above already deduct the full 2% Medicare levy because every rank earns above the upper threshold of $35,013 (the latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013). No HELP/HECS or Medicare levy surcharge is included in these estimates.
Allowances and deductions
The award rates combine base wage, margin, loading, shift allowance, industry allowance, and roster allowance. Extra allowances for specialist duties are paid separately. The Australian Taxation Office provides a guide for fire fighters – income and work-related deductions, which covers what you can claim, such as protective clothing and equipment.
Private sector vs public sector
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Fire Fighting Industry Award sets minimum rates for private sector firefighters. Those rates are lower than the NSW public sector award because they don't include the same shift loadings. For example, a private sector Qualified Firefighter's minimum weekly rate is $1,119.10, compared to $1,994.45 in the public sector. The figures in this guide are for Fire and Rescue NSW (public sector).
Questions
How does the firefighter salary NSW compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week, which works out to about $52,255 a year. A Qualified Firefighter in NSW earns $103,996 a year, nearly double the minimum. Even a Recruit Firefighter at $81,118 is well above the minimum, reflecting the specialised skills and shift work involved.
What is the take-home pay after tax for a Qualified Firefighter?
Based on the 2026–27 tax rates and the Medicare levy, a Qualified Firefighter earning $103,996 takes home about $3,085 per fortnight. This is after income tax and the full 2% Medicare levy (since the salary exceeds the upper threshold of $35,013). The figure excludes super, which is paid on top by the employer.
Are allowances included in the firefighter salary NSW figures?
The weekly rates from the award already include shift loading, roster allowance, and industry allowance. Additional allowances for aerial appliances, hazmat work, or other specialised duties are paid on top. The take-home estimates from are based on the base award rates before extra allowances.