Firefighters are either rostered or non-rostered shift workers working a 38-hour week.
Rostered
On a roster, firefighters work an average of 42 hours per week over an eight-week cycle, with additional hours compensated as part of salary or as leave days. The normal rostered shift cycle is:
Day 1 – Day Duty (8am to 6pm – 10 hours)
Day 2 – Day Duty (8am to 6pm – 10 hours)
Day 3 – Night Duty (6pm to 8am – 14 hours)
Day 4 – Night Duty (6pm to 8am – 14 hours)
Days 5, 6, 7 and 8 are Off Duty.
Non-rostered
You may also be required to work periods of non-rostered shift work for up to six months. The hours during this period are to be worked over an eight-week cycle, averaging 320 hours. The usual pattern is to work 5 x 8 hour days or 4 x 10 hour days.