Firefighter salary Melbourne: award rates and take-home pay for 2026–27

Firefighter salary Melbourne: what the award says

If you are looking at a firefighter salary Melbourne, the starting point is the national Fire Fighting Industry Award (MA000111) published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award covers both public sector (such as Fire Rescue Victoria) and private sector firefighting roles. The rates in this guide apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Fair Work sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification. For a full-time employee, the ordinary hours are an average of 38 per week. Public sector rates include a 30% shift loading and an average 40 hours loading, which are already built into the figures shown in the pay guide. Private sector rates are lower because they do not include those loadings in the base rate, but shiftworkers receive a separate ordinary hourly rate that includes a 30% loading.

Public sector rates (e.g. Fire Rescue Victoria)

For a public sector firefighter in Melbourne, the weekly rates are:

• Recruit: $1,005.10 per week ($26.45 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 1: $1,444.17 per week ($38.00 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 2: $1,463.71 per week ($38.52 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 3: $1,487.28 per week ($39.14 per hour)
• Qualified firefighter: $1,607.97 per week ($42.32 per hour)
• Leading firefighter: $1,839.88 per week ($48.42 per hour)
• Station officer: $1,994.48 per week ($52.49 per hour)
• Senior station officer: $2,148.65 per week ($56.54 per hour)

These rates already include shift loading and the average 40 hours loading. Your take-home pay will be based on these amounts before tax and the Medicare levy.

Private sector rates

Private sector firefighters earn lower base rates, but receive penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and shiftwork. For a full-time private sector employee:

• Recruit: $1,005.10 per week ($26.45 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 1: $1,005.10 per week ($26.45 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 2: $1,018.70 per week ($26.81 per hour)
• Firefighter Level 3: $1,035.10 per week ($27.24 per hour)
• Qualified firefighter: $1,119.10 per week ($29.45 per hour)
• Leading firefighter: $1,280.50 per week ($33.70 per hour)
• Station officer: $1,388.10 per week ($36.53 per hour)
• Senior station officer: $1,495.40 per week ($39.35 per hour)

Shiftworkers in the private sector receive an ordinary hourly rate that includes a 30% loading. For example, a qualified firefighter shiftworker earns $38.29 per hour instead of $29.45.

How your firefighter salary Melbourne compares to benchmarks

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week (about $52,255 per year). A qualified firefighter in the public sector earns well above that – roughly 60% more per week. Even a private sector qualified firefighter earns about 11% above the minimum wage.

However, the ABS full-time adult ordinary time earnings (May 2026) are $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). A public sector qualified firefighter at $1,607.97 per week is about 23% below that average. Senior station officers ($2,148.65) exceed the average.

Your actual take-home pay depends on your tax situation. For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. Income between $18,201 and $45,000 is taxed at 15 cents per dollar, then 30 cents per dollar up to $135,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but if you earn below $28,011 (single) you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate. Full-time firefighter salaries are well above these thresholds, so you will pay the full 2%.

Example take-home estimate

Take a public sector qualified firefighter earning $83,614 per year. Using the 2026–27 tax rates:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020
• Tax on $45,001 to $83,614: 30% of $38,614 = $11,584.20
• Total tax: $15,604.20
• Medicare levy: 2% of $83,614 = $1,672.28
• Total deductions: $17,276.48
• Annual take-home: $66,337.52
• Fortnightly take-home: about $2,551

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice. Use the Take-home pay tool for a personalised calculation.

Superannuation on your firefighter salary

Your award rate is before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if your annual salary is $83,614, your employer must pay an extra $10,033.68 into your super fund. This does not reduce your take-home pay – it is on top of your salary. Job advertisements often advertise salaries as "plus super, so always check whether super is included in the advertised figure.

For more details on allowances and allowances, see the Australian Taxation Office guide for fire fighters. The ATO explains which allowances you must include in your tax return and which expenses you can claim as deductions.