Presumptive rights for forest firefighters

On 14 September 2022 eligible forest firefighters engaged by Forest Fire Management Victoria and partner agencies have access to presumptive rights compensation for specified cancers.

The changes, led by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), are made under the Forests Amendment (Forest Firefighters Presumptive Rights Compensation) Act 2021 (the Act). The Act is modelled on the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019 (FPRC Act), which created presumptive rights for career and volunteer firefighters.

The changes recognise that, like career and volunteer firefighters, forest firefighters may be exposed to carcinogens when attending fires.

To support the Act, the Forest Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) also commence on 14 September 2022. The Regulations established a new independent Advisory Committee to provide an expert opinion on certain claims from forest firefighters.

The new Advisory Committee, which includes members with forest firefighting experience, is separate and distinct from the existing Advisory Committee that hears claims from career and volunteer firefighters under the FPRC Act.

Further information about presumptive rights and what this means for forest firefighters is available on the WorkSafe website here.