There was good news for Northern Rivers firefighters yesterday, when the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (IRC) handed down its decision on the Awards covering Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters.

NSW firefighters will receive a 14 per cent wage increase over three years, backdated to February 2024.

This includes a one-off reset of two per cent spread over the life of the three-year Awards, which the IRC found was needed due to cost-of-living pressures after the former government’s wage decisions artificially repressed pay for the State’s almost 7,000 firefighters.

The decision will deliver a four per cent pay rise backdated to February 2024, four per cent from February 2025 and three per cent in the final year from February 2026. 

The IRC has also awarded an additional three per cent increase from 2026 to recognise firefighters’ competency in road crash rescue work. The Commission found road crash rescue is now a core function of the role, mandating its payment to all firefighters in recognition of the scope of work of modern firefighters.

This decision of the IRC reflects the vital role all firefighters can now play in responding to motor vehicle accidents, saving lives by extracting people from crashes sooner.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said, “I welcome today’s IRC decision delivering wage certainty for our firefighters, including an important recognition of the work they do in road crash rescues.

“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system. 

“That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap, which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, and strengthening the Industrial Relations Commission’s ability to ensure there is continued fairness in our public sector workplaces and that services are delivered to the NSW community.

“We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services, and that is what we are doing.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “After more than a decade of an unfair wages cap, we are delivering pay increases for frontline firefighters that recognise their work and commitment to our communities.

“This offer increases wages and improves benefits for firefighters across NSW and demonstrates we are delivering a fairer workplace bargaining system.

“Our firefighters provide vital assistance in times of need, and the Minns Government continues to support the people who protect and defend NSW communities.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said, “This outcome recognises the critical work our firefighters do every day to keep NSW communities safe.

“It also provides certainty as we work with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union to implement the decision and support firefighters across the state.”