The ACT Government is boosting frontline services with new investments in more first responders, new infrastructure, upgraded workshops and new equipment – investing $94.3 million over 4 years to deliver increased capacity to our emergency services.
Paramedics
32 new roles, including 20 Ambulance Paramedics, 6 Intensive Care Paramedics, and 6 operational support positions. This builds on the 15 additional paramedics recruited this year into vacant positions in the Ambulance Service and on the 30 additional paramedics that were funded in 2023-24 in response to the new roster being implemented.
This investment responds to the growing demands on our ambulance services and reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring our frontline paramedics are properly supported as they go about their critical work.
The additional operational support positions include ambulance educators, senior ambulance managers with extensive experience as well as a clinical simulation technician and more staff in the communications centre – the first line of response to emergencies. A 2025 review of the ACT Ambulance Service emergency operations roster highlighted the need for additional paramedics, which we have committed to delivering – and specifically included the need for these operational support positions.
Firefighters
35 new roles, comprising 29 firefighters and 6 operational support roles. The Government will also fund an additional recruit college for 26-27, along with additional roles including Fire and Rescue Commanders.
ACT Fire & Rescue will operate out of the new Molonglo Emergency Services Station, ensuring 24/7 emergency response that keeps pace with the rapid population growth in Molonglo and meets community expectations for faster, safer and more equitable service delivery.
The new station will directly improve community safety and wellbeing, better protecting residents and their property, and strengthen public confidence, resilience and outcomes for vulnerable populations during emergencies.
City Police Station
The Government has commenced the next stage in the procurement process for the new ACT Police Headquarters and City Police Station.
The new facilities will be situated in the city precinct to ensure strong functional links to ACT Courts, ACT Government buildings and the Australian Federal Police. Integrating both the City Station and the ACT Policing Headquarters will support growing ACT Policing service levels, operational efficiency and business continuity, ensuring Canberrans have appropriate access to policing services when needed.
New facilities will have modern workspaces to support the health and wellbeing of people, combined with specialist facilities that enable best practice support to victims and responses to crime.
The Government will deliver an initial $3.8 million investment through this Budget to progress a proposal.
Data, equipment and workshops
The Government will provide funding to ensure the ongoing upgrade and replacement of 43 operational Emergency Services Agency (ESA) vehicles over the life of the program and growing the size and capabilities of the ESA's in house workshop including funding for 2 additional mechanics.
To support the extensive network of new fire and ambulance stations in recent years, including the Molonglo, Acton, Aranda, and South Tuggeranong, funding is provided for further master planning works on the best locations and further work needed to ensure our emergency services are best placed to meet the needs of the community.
Over $5 million will be invested to modernise the response systems used by our emergency services, including the radio systems.
Quotes attributable to ACT Treasurer, Chris Steel:
"The Government is making a deliberate policy decision to fund the frontline services our growing city needs.
"This funding is a significant investment that will be critical to maintain strong emergency services coverage across Canberra.
"We're proud to fund the City Police Station and Headquarters Project to replace two of the Territory's oldest facilities with modern accommodation to support our policing workforce."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson:
"These investments reflect a strong commitment to supporting the people who keep Canberrans safe.
"We're investing in more frontline responders for the ACT Ambulance Service and ACT Fire & Rescue to meet the demands of our growing city. These additional frontline roles will strengthen our emergency response.
"With construction now complete on the new Molonglo Emergency Services Station we're delivering and planning for additional first responders in one of our fastest growing regions.
"A CBD located Police Headquarters and City Station will provide safe, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure supporting contemporary Policing, community trust, and operational excellence."
