What is the hourly rate for a qualified firefighter under the award?

Under the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 (MA000111), the minimum hourly rate for a Qualified Firefighter in the public sector is $42.32. This rate already includes a 30% shift loading and an average 40 hours loading. For a Recruit, the hourly rate is $26.45, very close to the National Minimum Wage of $26.44.

How is the firefighter salary calculated annually?

Annual salary is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a Qualified Firefighter working 38 hours per week: $42.32 × 38 × 52 = $83,614.44. The fortnightly pay is the weekly rate ($1,607.97) multiplied by 2, giving $3,215.94. The award defines full-time as an average of 38 ordinary hours per week over a cycle of up to 8 weeks.

Does the firefighter salary include superannuation?

No, superannuation is paid on top of the salary. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). For a Qualified Firefighter earning $83,614, the super contribution would be approximately $10,033.68 per year. This is not deducted from the salary but added by the employer.

Firefighter Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay Under the Award

For a Qualified Firefighter under the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020, the hourly rate of $42.32 (including shift loading) gives an annual salary of approximately $83,614 based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding the Firefighter Salary Under the Award

If you're looking at a firefighter salary in Australia, the starting point is the Fire Fighting Industry Award 2020 (MA000111). This award sets minimum pay rates for firefighters in both public and private sectors. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official rates, which we use here.

For a Qualified Firefighter in the public sector, the minimum hourly rate is $42.32. This rate already includes a 30% shift loading and an average 40 hours loading (10.5263%). That means you don't need to add those on top – the $42.32 is the all-inclusive ordinary hourly rate for a shiftworker. For a Recruit, the hourly rate is $26.45, almost identical to the National Minimum Wage of $26.44.

Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week Formula

The standard formula for annual pay is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time firefighter, the award says ordinary hours average 38 per week over a cycle of up to 8 weeks. So for a Qualified Firefighter:

$42.32 × 38 × 52 = $83,614.44 per year

That's the gross annual salary before tax and super. The weekly rate from the award is $1,607.97, so the fortnightly pay is $3,215.94 (weekly × 2).

How the Firefighter Hourly Rate Compares to the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. A Recruit firefighter earns $26.45 – essentially the same. But as you progress to Qualified Firefighter ($42.32), Leading Firefighter ($48.42), Station Officer ($52.49), or Senior Station Officer ($56.54), the rates climb well above the minimum. These higher rates reflect the skill, responsibility, and shift work required.

The Role of Shift Loading and Average 40 Hours Loading

Firefighters in the public sector receive a 30% shift loading on the minimum weekly rate and an average 40 hours loading of 10.5263% on the combined minimum rate and shift loading. These are built into the $42.32 hourly rate. For example, the shift loading alone for a Qualified Firefighter is $335.73 per week, and the average 40 hours loading is $153.14 per week. Together they make up a significant portion of the total weekly rate of $1,607.97.

For private sector firefighters, the pay structure is different – they don't receive the average 40 hours loading, and overtime is calculated on the minimum hourly rate rather than the ordinary hourly rate. Always check the award for your specific employer.

Tax and Super on a Firefighter Salary

Using the take-home pay calculator on this site, you can estimate your net income. For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
Plus 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds)

For a Qualified Firefighter earning $83,614, the estimated tax is around $15,604 plus Medicare of $1,672, leaving a take-home pay of about $66,337 per year (before any salary packaging or HELP deductions).

Superannuation is paid on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the Super Guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For $83,614, that's an extra $10,033.68 contributed to your super fund by your employer. This is not deducted from your pay – it's additional.

Using the Timesheet for Your Own Calculations

Our timesheet tool lets you enter any base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents. If you're a casual employee, check the casual loading box to add 25% on top of the base rate. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the tool adds it for you.

For award-covered roles like firefighters, the hourly rate from the award is your starting point. Use the pay guides and reference tables to find the correct classification. The hourly conversion page explains the formula in more detail.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For more on the National Minimum Wage, see our minimum wage page. For average earnings comparisons, visit average pay. And for details on super, see super and packaging.