- Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Amendment Bill 2026 introduced to Parliament
- Legislation will modernise framework governing the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund (FES Super)
- Strong protections retained to ensure changes are in members' best interests
- Delivers on Cook Labor Government's election commitment to reform firefighters' superannuation
The Cook Labor Government has today introduced legislation to modernise Western Australia's firefighters' superannuation scheme and support further improvements for members.
The Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Amendment Bill 2026 will modernise the framework governing the Fire and Emergency Services Superannuation Fund (FES Super), bringing it in line with Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) regulation.
FES Super provides superannuation and other benefits for members employed by or formerly employed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and associated employers including the United Professional Firefighters Union of Western Australia, and the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association of WA.
FES Super, which has more than $1 billion under management, includes the only open defined benefit superannuation scheme in the Western Australian public sector, as well as offering accumulation accounts and insurance to members.
The principal amendment of the legislation will transfer the detailed operational rules of FES Super from regulations into a Trust Deed, creating a more flexible framework to facilitate reforms and providing more choice to members.
The reform builds on the Cook Labor Government decision to increase firefighters' superannuation by 3 per cent to 14.75 per cent.
One of the early reforms being considered would provide firefighters with greater flexibility over how these additional contributions are allocated, including between defined benefit and accumulation accounts or substitute for employee contributions.
Strong protections remain in place, including actuarial assessment of proposed changes and Treasurer approval, to ensure that any reforms are in members' best interests.
Other amendments include the capacity to increase the number of Board members from six to eight, while ensuring equal representation between those that are employer and member elected.
The Bill also includes successor fund transfer provisions aligned with Commonwealth superannuation law and subject to Treasurer approval, as well as requiring the FES Super Board to provide annual actuarial review reports to the Treasurer to enhance oversight and transparency.
The reforms follow the FES Super Board's decision in December 2025 to distribute $15 million of surplus funds to defined benefit members due to the strong performance of FES Super.
As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"Today, we're introducing legislation to Parliament delivering on our election commitment to modernise firefighters' superannuation.
"Firefighters perform an incredibly important role in our community, and they deserve a superannuation system that delivers for them.
"These reforms will give FES Super greater flexibility to respond to the needs of members, while maintaining strong protections to make sure any changes are in their best interests."
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby:
"The Cook Labor Government values the work our fire and emergency services personnel do, and this legislation will enable continued enhancements to their superannuation.
"We're committed to working with FES Super, its members and the United Professional Firefighters Union to continue to enhance the operation of FES Super."
