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 today makes NSW the first jurisdiction in Australia to include two female reproductive cancers as presumptive cancers.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
"Today is a special day and I am proud of our government's demonstrable commitment to support firefighters during the most challenging time they will face.
"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.
"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.
"We are pleased NSW is the first state to recognise two female reproductive cancers as presumptive cancers for firefighters.
"The strong partnership we have with the Fire Brigade Employees' Union (FBEU), the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and Australian Workers Union (AWU) has helped bring about this change and we thank their members and families for their ongoing strong advocacy."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis:
"The Minns Labor Government has worked tirelessly to deliver this important reform. It ensures the firefighters who protect our community can access compensation and support through the presumptive cancer provisions.
"It's a good time to become a firefighter or a volunteer safe in the knowledge that those who protect the community will in turn be looked after.
"This legislation goes further than other states and territories by including reproductive cancers.
"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.
"I would like to thank the Fire Brigade Employees' Union (FBEU), the Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) and the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) for their ongoing advocacy."
Quotes attributable to Secretary of the FBEU, Leighton Drury:
"This result reflects the hard work of professional firefighters who have worked tirelessly with their local members to bring awareness to this issue.
"We are pleased with the broad support for which this bill has achieved.
"The bill goes a long way to acknowledging the inherent risks of the firefighting profession."
Quotes attributable to Scott Campbell AFSM, President of the RFSA:
"Volunteer firefighters work at the frontline to keep the community safe from a range of incidents, from bushfire to vehicle and structure fires. RFS volunteers provide fire cover for 95% of NSW, and we thank the government for recognising the value volunteers provide.
"We know that bushfire smoke is a threat to the health of volunteer firefighters. These new laws mean volunteers who unfortunately suffer cancer as a result of their service will be properly covered, including those with claims that were previously declined.
"We thank the government for delivering new laws that improve the protections for volunteer firefighters, and in particular for providing nation-leading coverage for female reproductive cancers."
