Prior to applying, it is important that you consider the requirements of the position. We highly recommend you read and analyse your ability to meet the criteria listed within the Firefighter Position Information Document.
You should also consider if your experiences, skill sets, personal traits and characteristics are compatible for the role of a Firefighter.
As a firefighter you must have:
- The motivation to serve the community in a way that is at all times helpful, ethical and professional
- The self-discipline to be able to accept and carry out orders
- A sympathetic and caring approach towards people impacted by an emergency incident
- The physiological capacity to continue working in what may be unpleasant circumstances
- A willingness to work within a diverse workforce, with people of different gender identities, background and cultures
- Good literacy and numeracy skills
- Good communication skills
- The ability to use current information technology, including common software such as the Microsoft suite of products.
Residency Requirements
You must provide evidence of being able to work and reside in Australia permanently. Evidence includes Birth Certificate (if born in Australia), Australian Passport, Certificate of Australian Citizenship or evidence of permanent residency issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
Driver's Licence
When submitting your online application to become a Full Time Firefighter you must hold current and valid C Class (Car) driver's licence. Probationary or provisional driver's licences will not be accepted.
You are required to obtain, at your own expense, an MR Class (Medium Rigid) driver's licence prior to the commencement of a Recruit Training Course .If you progress to this stage of the process, time will be provided for you to obtain this licence.
An HR (Heavy Rigid) driver's licence must be obtained, at your own expense, within the first 12 months of employment.
For further information regarding licence classes and minimum requirements please visit www.sa.gov.au.
Health & Fitness
Applicants are expected to have a high level of fitness. Firefighting requires quick and intense physical effort, which may be required to occur over a long and constant period of time. You must be prepared to maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout your firefighting career.
You will also be required to undergo a thorough medical examination prior to being accepted. To ensure you are eligible to apply, It is important that you read the Medical Standards (Conditions Incompatible with Firefighting) to ensure that you are eligible to apply.
Online Application
Applications now closed. Register to receive updates on when recruitment will next open.
For the duration of the live recruitment campaign, an Online Application Form will be available via the MFS website. Once available, you will be required to complete and submit the Online Application Form before applications close. It is critical that the Online Application Form is completed accurately and in full, and submitted prior to the closing date in order for your application to be considered. Late applications will not be accepted.
In your application you will need to provide a current email address. Throughout the recruitment process we will contact you via the email address you provide. Failure to provide a current or correct e-mail address will not be accepted as a reason for not receiving information.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and processed as quickly as possible. You will be advised of the outcome via email as soon as practicable.
Application Fee
Applicants who meet the requirements of the Online Application Form will be invited to pay a non-fundable $100 application fee. The application fee contributes to expenses incurred by the MFS in the administration of the selection process. The MFS retain no part of the application fee.
Holders of a current Department of Human Services (DHS) issued concession card may be exempt from paying the administration fee. If you are claiming exemption, you will be required to provide your current and valid card as evidence in order to be eligible for the next stage of testing.
Accepted applications have a lifecycle of 24 months (two years). You do not need to reapply in recruitment campaigns launched within the 24 month lifecycle period.
The Cognitive Ability Assessment and Personality and Behavioural Assessment (formerly Personality Profiling and Abilities Assessment) is administered by Converge International/SAFESELECT. The assessments are now online and can be completed from your home computer.
Please be aware that strict controls are in place to ensure applicant authenticity during and after these assessments. Serious consequences may apply if you are found to be unauthentic or the answers are not your own.
If you progress to this stage you will be emailed further information, a secure URL, and login and password details.
The assessment takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. You will be provided with around three – five days to submit the assessment from the time it is emailed to you. You are only able to take the assessment once per application. Results from this assessment are valid for the duration of the 24 month application lifecycle.
We cannot provide feedback on the Cognitive Ability Assessment or the Personality and Behavioural Assessment.
Driver History
Applicants being considered for progression to the Physical Aptitude Test 1 (PAT 1) will need to provide details of all traffic infringements over the last 10 years via a Driver Licence History Report, available from www.sa.gov.au.
Serious traffic offences within the past 10 years could result in a 10 year disqualification (from date of offence) from being able to apply. A serious traffic offence may include, but is not limited to:
Serious traffic offences within the past 10 years could result in a 10 year disqualification, taken from date of offence, from becoming an MFS firefighter. A serious traffic offence can include, but is not limited to:
- Exceeding Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08%
- Two or more offences of exceeding BAC over 0.05%
- Refusing a breath test or drug test, including failing to remain or going elsewhere for testing
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Found guilty and charged for a driving offence whilst your licence is suspended, cancelled or disqualified
- Found guilty and charged for driving recklessly at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to any person
- Refusing to stop when requested to do so by a Police Officer.
An applicant's overall driving record is taken into consideration when assessing attitude to road law compliance and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. A poor driving history may result in your application being found to be unsuitable.
Tattoos
Applicants being considered for progression to the PAT 1 will need to submit images of tattoos visible when wearing a t-shirt, shorts and socks. The MFS has discretion in assessing images using the MFS Uniform and Dress Code which states “visible tattoos must not be excessive or offensive to recognised standards of decency or reflect adversely on the professional image the community expects from employees serving in the MFS”.
We recognise that tattoos are becoming more and more popular and, in most cases, are socially acceptable.
Applicants progressing to the PAT 1 will be invited via email. The email will include details of the assessment and instruction on what to bring.
The PAT 1 consists of the Shuttle Run/Beep Test. You will be required to achieve a level of 9.6 in order to be eligible to progress to the next stage.
Please note, in order to be aligned with the Australian Institute of Sport, the PAT1 has recently changed. Please find more information in MFS Physical Aptitude Test 1 and 2 document.
PAT 1 assessments are held at the MFS Adelaide Station only.
The PAT 1 is a pass/fail assessment with the results valid for a lifecycle period of 12 months.
If you are successful in the PAT 1 you may be invited to participate in the next stage of the recruitment at any time within the 12 month period. Should the 12 month period expire you will be required to recontest the PAT 1.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in their PAT 1 attempt are not eligible to recontest the stage for 12 months. Once the 12 month period expires, and subject to the 24 month application lifecycle, you may be invited to recontest the test.
Invitations to the PAT 1 are at the discretion of the MFS. Successful completion of the PAT 1 does not guarantee that you will be progressed to the next stage.
The interview provides applicants with the opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for and understanding of the role of MFS Firefighter. The interviews are interactive and an opportunity for the panel to get to know you and understand how you have handled different situations in life.
Invitations to interview will be via email. You will need to provide your CV/Resume if you are invited to interview.
At the conclusion of the interview, you will be required to complete an Informed Consent Form (National Police Checking Service) that will allow us to obtain an offender history report. This document will only be processed if you are successful in the interview stage.
Applicants progressing to the PAT 2 stage will be invited via email. The email will include details of the assessment and instruction on what to bring.
The PAT 2 is a pass/fail assessment requiring completion of 11 simulated on-the-job tasks within a time frame of 32 minutes. The PAT 2 is a valid indicator of your ability to successfully complete the physically demanding tasks required by MFS firefighters at emergency incidents.
All gender identities take the same test and to the same standard.
The PAT 2 will be held at the MFS Adelaide Station only.
If you are successful in the PAT 2, you may be invited to participate in further stages of the process at any time within a six month period. Should the six month period expire, you will be required to recontest the PAT 2.
If you are unsuccessful in the PAT 2 you may be called back after six months to recontest the stage.
Invitations to the PAT 2 are at the discretion of the MFS. Successful completion of the PAT 2 does not guarantee that you will be progressed to the next stage.
We strongly encourage you to view the video and documentation that further explains the process of the PAT 2 test. These can be found under the information about PAT 1 (Stage 3).
Applicants who successfully complete the PAT 2 will be given approximately five weeks to provide the MFS the following pre-requisite documentation;
- evidence of a current and valid MR licence
- a copy of current First Aid Certification for Provide First Aid (HLTAID003 or HLTAID011)
The costs relating to the above requirements are at your own expense.
During this stage we will complete your National Criminal History, and you will be required to attend a series of medical examinations and provide your work references.
Medical Examinations
If you are successful in the PAT 2 you must attend a series of medical examinations. The medical examinations are based on the medical standards of health and fitness, which are considered to be essential to a career as a Firefighter. The MFS will cover costs associated with these medical examinations.
Medical examinations include:
- Respiratory
- Audiology
- Full medical.
If further assessments are required, the MFS will cover the associated costs.
Please ensure you are dressed appropriately for these tests (shorts and t shirt), and arrive approximately 15 minutes before your appointment time to fill out the necessary forms.
For further information on the medical requirements please read Medical Standards (Conditions Incompatible with Firefighting).
Criminal History
As a requirement of the application process, you will need to give consent for the MFS to obtain personal information relating to criminal history.
Any disclosable outcomes resulting from the criminal history screening will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Referees
Referee statements are designed to seek employment information on your work performance, competencies, abilities and potential. They also help to confirm any information and validate your suitability for the job.
Applicants reaching this stage in the recruitment process will be required to provide the contact details of two referees (supervisor and peer).
The Recruit training course takes approximately 15 weeks. This may be extended due to public holidays within the training period.
The majority of the recruit training course takes place at the MFS Angle Park Training Centre, with various components held at the Adelaide Fire Station. There is a five day live in component held at the CFS Training Centre in Brukunga in the Adelaide Hills. This occurs around week 13 of the training course.
You will receive thorough and extensive instructions and information during the recruit training course. It involves lectures and practical training on equipment and procedures relevant to firefighting and employment with the MFS. As a Recruit Firefighter you will have regular assessments throughout the training course.
Physical training is a regular component of the recruit training course.
Recruits who complete all the required competencies and standards of the recruit training course will be offered a role as a Full-time Firefighter with the MFS.
Placement following successful completion of the recruit training course may be to any MFS Station where full-time firefighters are employed. There is a 12 month probationary period.
