are they on trades list?

I dont believe so. Am open to correction. It is one of the most competitive jobs to get in Australia (certainly NSW). There is usually a long waiting list and waiting period between intakes.

what there is though is an exchange program.

Friends of ours went to Melbourne on a one year exchange with their local fire service - they swapped houses and everything. I think then it would make them staying permanently more easier.

Ask Renth, he's a volunteer but may well know how to go about getting into the service.

Lynn

Also badge (or whatever his new username is) and our estemed Mod Pollyana worked with the fire service in Aus (their therapy is coming along fine btw no lasting damage)

No they're not and in my opinion never likely to. It's really competitive and hubby has gone for a total change of career. The "whole time" guys don't even get transferred interstate. Each state has too many people wanting to join. They will not recognise your previous skills so you would be applying against raw 18 year olds. They also only do recruiting once or twice a year and you don't apply to a station, you could be sent anywhere in QLD.

We went into it big time for QLD and it just didn't make any sense in hubby even going for it with over 20 years experience in the UK. Age is not an issue for them (was for him ).

Best I can suggest is you join the volunteer guys who will always be grateful to have you but not sure how previous experience would be received. You may have to pretend to know nothing until you had been in a while. Oh and never say "well in the UK we did....."

Hope this helps.

The only info I have at present is that one of the guys working in our area in a Project Support role has just handed his notice in because he starts as an active Firie in 2 weeks time. He passed the initial assesment 16 months ago.... so like all govt jobs its a long slow process.

Thats in Qld, BTW. I would echo Moneypen's advice - enrol as a volunteer if you are already here, but don't bank on getting into a regular Fire job, and I can't see it ever going on an "in demand" list.

Nope not on list - ....my hubby's a firefigher.

Hi I,m a firefighter in the UK soon to be living in Perth.Its not impossible to get in the fire service,I know of one that did and got his qualifications recognised.
I,m going to give it a go.
good luck task

They seem to be recruiting older blokes in their early 30s, with truck licences.

It is competitive - the tests are very specific right from the start.

We had a young lieutenant, mature, a real poster boy spunk as one of the blokes said, good firie, we thought he would be a dead set cert, he failed for the MFB.

Badge

I've just come from the smoke chamber in Melbourne.

Hi can I ask you will you be a fireman in Perth, or have you got a visa for another occupation??

sousa

This is for WA

The next Firefighter recruitment intake will be advertised on 22 April 2006.

Application packs can be obtained by downloading them from our website www.fesa.wa.gov.au or by ringing 9323 9410 on or after this date. Application packages will not be publicly available before this time. Packages will be sent to regional offices shortly before the 22 April.

http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/d...aspx?MenuID=61

Hi going to try for W A Perth,they recruit on the 22nd of this month.
I,ve been on the phone to them a few times and they are very positive but you still have to pass all the selection tests.
The web site is excellent also have a look on the other fire service web sites in oz and new Zealand and you will get some good info.
I will been in Perth to validate the visa,s when the tests are so fingers crossed.
I have no trade the secret to the visa is marry a nurse hee hee
if you want any more info let me know
good luck task

Been a firefighter/watch officer for 16 years(full time London).On a one year sabbatical.
Moved to Sydney with the family in October and having NO luck getting in NSW Fire Brigade or any other Australian fire service.Got work ,but its not the same.
Wife +kids are as happy as anything.I hate not being a fireman and want to go back.
Any firefighters coming over should really consider if they really want to give up the service.For me it is a big step i dont feel I'm yet ready to make.
Dont know what to do.

Take heed it is seriously competitive. Must be one of the most sought after jobs.
Everyone would think it wasn't dangerous or hard work!

Part of it must be the shift system which means that firies can supplant their income or use some of their time, not being firies intelligently. Could be wrong.