Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)
This qualification is the training firefighters do once they are already on the job, covering the skills needed to fight urban fires, rescue people and handle hazardous materials incidents as part of a crew.
- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years
- typical for this level
- Taught by
- 3 providers
- 5 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in protecting people and property
- the ability to stay calm under pressure
- good teamwork and communication skills
- a willingness to follow safety procedures carefully
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where you can study this course
There are 3 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Fire and Safety Australia Pty Ltd (opens in a new tab)
Fire and Safety Australia Pty Ltd
4 campuses, QLD, SA, VIC
4.7from 114 Google reviews
What students like
- Trainers are knowledgeable and engaging
- Training is practical and hands on
- Training is well structured and clear
- Website for Department of Defence (opens in a new tab)
Department of Defence
8 campuses
4.2from 61 Google reviews
What you’ll learn
11 units: 5 that everyone takes and 6 you choose.
- Personal protective equipment
- Hazardous materials response
- Pump and hose operation
- Driving fire appliances
- Incident scene safety
- Fire safety inspections
See all 5 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It is for experienced firefighting and emergency response professionals, or those already on the job, who respond to disasters and incidents that endanger life, property and the environment. The focus is on making sound decisions on your own within a team, under limited supervision. Roles it leads to include Emergency Management Officer and Firefighter.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
The qualification itself has no entry requirements, though individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.