The gender pay gap among professional forest firefighters in Victoria has significantly widened over the past four years, according to a report from the Australian Workers' Union (AWU). The union's analysis of data from the Victorian Public Service revealed that female forest firefighters employed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) received average pay increases of $3,781 from 2019 to 2023. In contrast, their male counterparts saw average increases of $8,036 during the same period. This disparity resulted in female firefighters missing out on an average of $4,255 in pay growth over four years.

The AWU also noted that the gender pay gap for Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) and DEECA field staff nearly tripled, rising from 3.4% to 9.5%. In 2023, the median salary for female forest firefighters was $58,787, while men earned a median of $64,966, creating a difference of $6,179.

"DEECA don't discriminate in what men and women can do in the forest firefighter role," said AWU regional organizer Shanae Murray. "They just won't pay equally."

DEECA forest firefighters play a crucial role in protecting Victoria's public land by responding to bushfires, conducting planned burns, and managing forest fuel loads to mitigate fire risks in state forests and national parks. A DEECA spokesperson attributed the widening gender pay gap to an increase in women joining frontline firefighting teams in entry-level positions in recent years.

"Our analysis shows there is no gender pay difference in wages across comparable roles in FFMVic," the spokesperson stated. The department also mentioned that programs are in place to help eliminate barriers and support women in advancing to senior positions, aiming to reduce the pay gap over time.

The AWU has urged DEECA to address the growing pay inequality between male and female firefighters. Murray expressed disappointment over the pay disparity, highlighting the sacrifices made by firefighters during emergencies. "For example, with the Halls Gap fires last year, DEECA made up a large number of people fighting those blazes," she said. "There were women and men who weren't home with their families for Christmas and school holidays; they were out fighting fires, working in the heat and dangerous conditions."

DEECA reported that the proportion of women in its seasonal firefighting teams has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing from 15% in 2015 to 33% in 2025. The number of women participating in fire deployments is also on the rise, with women comprising 33% of those deployed in 2024-25, up from 29% in 2021-22.

Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes stated that the government is committed to addressing gender pay gaps. "(DEECA) is currently in negotiations for the next EBA, so there'll be a range of issues that will be considered in relation to pay and allowances," she said. "I'm sure it can be addressed through the EBA discussions."

Micaela Drieberg, CEO of Gender Equity Victoria, expressed concern over the pay difference. "It's surprising, given the concerted effort to address gender pay gaps across multiple professions, to see it go backward for female forest firefighters," she said. Drieberg emphasized the need for a targeted response to support women's needs, which may include increasing female representation in leadership roles and offering more flexibility for all employees. She noted that the first female firefighters began their careers in Victoria in 1988, indicating that the industry has yet to fully adapt to support women in the workforce.