NSW firefighters who are battling skin, lung and other cancers will be better supported after the Minns Labor Government passed landmark laws to expand their medical and income support.
The ‘presumptive cancers’ legislation which passed through Parliament in late November makes NSW the first jurisdiction in Australia to include two female reproductive cancers as presumptive cancers.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said this means firefighters facing a devastating, life-changing diagnosis can access entitlements with far less stress.
The presumption means firefighters lodging a claim no longer have to prove their cancer was caused by work, which can be difficult due to the nature of how these cancers are contracted and firefighting work.
Under the changes, firefighters’ presumptive access to compensation has been expanded to cover ten additional cancers: primary site lung, pancreatic, thyroid and skin cancers, and female and male reproductive cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulval and penile.
The inclusion of two female reproductive cancers (vulval and vaginal) as presumptive cancers is a national first and demonstrates the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to provide equity for male and female first responders.
Under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, there are already 12 primary site cancers that are presumed to be work-related for qualifying firefighters, including leukemia, brain, bladder and kidney cancer, as well as breast, testicular and prostate cancer. The list of existing presumptive cancers also covers non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, oesophageal, colorectal and ureter cancer.
The laws enhance access to workers compensation for firefighters employed by Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Forestry Corporation and other NSW agencies, as well as volunteer firefighters.
All firefighters must serve qualifying periods to be entitled to the presumption. Under the changes, an expert panel will be established to review volunteers’ claims for the additional cancers against a requirement for the firefighter to have regularly engaged in frontline firefighting activity.
Under the changes, firefighters diagnosed with one of the ten primary site cancers from 6 August 2025 will have the benefit of the presumption.
Firefighters who previously lodged a workers compensation claim that was denied will also be able to lodge a further claim with the benefit of the presumption
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said:
“By expanding the list of presumptive cancers, we’re recognising the real risks firefighters face on the job and the long latency periods that come with certain cancers.
“We know a cancer diagnosis is life-changing and can be devastating for firefighters and the people who care about them. These changes mean they will be able to access entitlements with far less stress, so they can focus on their health and their families.
“I want to thank the FBEU [The Fire Brigade Employees’ Union], the RFSA [the Rural Fire Service Association] and firefighters in the Blue Mountains particularly, for their relentless advocacy to bring about this reform. Having worked toward this outcome for years as the former Shadow Minister for Emergency Services I’m proud our government has done the right thing by our firefighters.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to keep us all safe. This reform is an important step in making sure they are better supported when they need it most.
“In developing this reform, we met with firefighters, the union and volunteer firefighter associations and considered work in other jurisdictions to determine how we could best support first responders.
“We are providing a better safety net for frontline firefighters in this state while at the same time reforming workers compensation to make it more sustainable so it can continue to support injured workers, including our emergency service workers.
Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:
“The Minns Labor Government has been working tirelessly towards this historic announcement to ensure those who serve and protect the community have access to compensation entitlements through the presumptive cancer provisions.
“We have been working closely with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU) and the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and thank their members and families for their ongoing strong advocacy.
“At present, eligible firefighters in New South Wales are entitled to a presumption to workers compensation if they have a diagnosis of any of the 12 primary site cancers listed in the workers compensation legislation. This legislation will also impact National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Forestry Corporation workers who are AWU members."
Secretary of the FBEU, Leighton Drury said:
“Professional firefighters have worked hard for this result, and we are pleased to see our employer, and the NSW Government, recognise the additional risks of our profession. FBEU members keep our communities safe every day and it’s important that our safety at work is recognised in this legislation.”
Scott Campbell AFSM, President of the RFSA said:
“We know that bushfire smoke is a threat to the health of volunteer firefighters. This reform means volunteers who unfortunately suffer cancer as a result of their service will be properly covered.”
Media: Mark Scala | Minister Dib | 0427 549 878
Media: (Wed-Fri) Brenda Cunningham-Lewis | Trish Doyle MP | 02 47513298
