News

SitRep 21/2026

June 26, 2026

PRESUMPTIVE CANCER REFORMS – UPDATE

Following the FBEU’s successful ‘Cover Our Firies’ campaign, expanded presumptive cancer provisions are now in effect.

The Union has been working closely with specialist workers compensation solicitors to identify and prepare eligible claims under the new legislation. This includes reviewing previously rejected claims and assisting members who may now qualify for compensation because of the expanded coverage.

Members, retired firefighters, and the families of deceased firefighters who believe they may be affected by these reforms are encouraged to contact the Union office for assistance. If you have been diagnosed with a prescribed cancer, previously had a claim rejected, or are unsure whether the new provisions apply to your circumstances, please get in touch so your eligibility can be assessed.

More information can be found at Sitrep 20/2026.

PERMANENT MEAL ALLOWANCES ON OVERTIME – UPDATE

This week the Department provided a last-minute offer to settle the overtime meal allowance dispute. We were due back in conciliation on Tuesday but on Monday, instead of filing their response to our dispute as they were required to, they provided us with an offer to settle the matter.

In effect the offer consists of the following:

1. Back payment of all outstanding claims from 26 February 2023.
2. A one-off payment of $3000 to all members who can perform overtime for the purposes of minimum staffing.
3. FRNSW will pay (and vary the Award to reflect this) all current In Water Rescue Operators the weekly In Water Allowance regardless of where you are stationed.
4. FRNSW will also pay (and vary the Award to reflect this) all trained and current GLR operators that are attached to RCR only stations the GLR allowance.

This offer would require us to discontinue our current proceedings before the IRC and agree to vary the Award going forward, to revert it back to the pre-2023 wording of the meal allowance claim.

Given this proposal involves an agreement to remove a current entitlement, we have agreed to a 1-month adjournment to hold SGMs and put this offer to members to decide the way forward.

Further information on SGM dates, and details on the offer, will be forthcoming soon.

TAX TIME INFORMATION

The Australian Tax Office has written to the FBEU with generic tax deduction tips for professional Firefighters. You can find their Firefighter tips by clicking here.

Members should consult their accountant to confirm specific deductions.

CONSULTATION IN ACTION: THE FUTURE OF RETAINED APPLIANCES

Members may be aware that the Department has no replacement program for Class 2 appliances. We know that many of them have exceeded their life, with some Isuzu pumpers that are nearly 25 years of age are still being used by crews.

Thanks to the consultative arrangements the Union won in the 2023 Award, through a lot of hard work from FBEU representatives at the Fleet Subcommittee and Joint Consultative Committee, I am pleased to announce that at the May Joint Consultative Committee meeting, the Department and the FBEU agreed that Class 3 appliances will be rolled out to Retained stations in the near future.

There is a cohort of Retained stations with engine bays unable to fit Class 3 appliances, and those stations will receive newer Class 2 appliances while work is undertaken to either prepare those stations for Class 3 appliances or develop a new pumper which will fit those stations.

This change should lead to cost-savings in procurement, training, and overtime, with skills being shared across a common fleet. It should make firegrounds safer as crews will be more aware of the configurations and limitations of each other’s appliances without needing cross training. Importantly, it will ensure that the fleet is common across stations performing the same work. Any work to bring parity to the equipment used by all stations for the same purposes is critical.

I want to thank those Retained members who have worked on this change, in particular Deputy Captain Tom Anderson from Merewether Fire Station, and the Union officials who worked hard during the consultation process to make sure this outcome was delivered.

More information will be provided in coming weeks and months by the Department and the Union.

ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNION OFFICE

Your first point of contact with the Union is an important step in seeking industrial assistance, allowing us to assess the facts and circumstances of your matter and direct it appropriately. Members should be aware of the Members Services Agreement, which you can find here.

To request assistance, please complete the Industrial Enquiry Form and include your service number so we can verify your membership. Anonymous inquiries cannot be actioned, as we are unable to verify membership or properly assess your matter.

If your inquiry is sensitive, our staff can assist you confidentially once your membership has been verified.

In Unity,

Leighton Drury
State Secretary

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