Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES) Reforms
What are the TFES Reforms, and what is changing?
The world in which our fire and emergency services operate has changed with more frequent and severe emergency events.
The Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES) Reforms are about supporting our fire and emergency services so that they can continue to keep Tasmanians safe through strategic and well-supported prevention, preparation, response and transition to recovery arrangements.
The reforms will:
- Establish the TFES in legislation, bringing together the TFS and SES onto a common operating platform;
- Establish the role of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner in legislation as the operational lead of TFES;
- Establish the State Fire and Emergency Services Commission as the statutory authority in charge of TFES, with a skills-based board;
- Establish a volunteer charter in legislation; and
- Replace the existing Fire Service Act 1979 and regulations with contemporary, principles-based legislation.
For further information, or to register for updates on the reforms, please contact, tfes@dpfem.tas.gov.au
Open Consultation
Draft Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service Bill 2025
Released: xx June 2025
Feedback period closes: xx August 2025
The Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service Bill 2025 in a significant step in implementing the reforms as detailed above.
Upon implementation, the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service Bill 2025 will replace the existing Fire Service Act 1979 and regulations. Amendments to the Emergency Management Act 2006 regarding the functions of the SES will also be required, these functions have been incorporated into the draft Bill.
The Tasmanian community is invited to provide feedback to help shape the legislation.
Consultation Package
- Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service Bill 2025 – consultation draft of the legislation.
- TFES Consultation Bill 2025 Fact Sheet – provides a summary of the content of the Bill.
- Consultation Paper – TFES Regulations and Supporting Processes – more detailed information about the Bill and supporting regulations and processes.
How to provide feedback
Written feedback on the draft bill is to be submitted by 5pm on Day, Date 2025.
To make a submission:
- Email tfes@dpfem.tas.gov.au, or
- Post to TFES Reform Submissions, Strategy and Support, Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management, GPO Box 308, Hobart, TAS 7001
Publishing submissions
Submissions will be treated as public information and will be published at www.fire.tas.gov.au/reform and www.ses.tas.gov.au/reform unless a specific request is made for it to be treated as confidential, whether in whole or in part.
To have your submission treated as confidential please indicate this in writing at the time of making your submission, clearly identifying the parts of your submission you want to remain confidential and the reasons why.
Submissions will be published once consideration of the submissions has concluded.
No personal information other than an individual’s name or the organisation making a submission will be published.
Previous consultations
Position Paper – State Fire and Emergency Services Commission
Position Paper – State Fire and Emergency Services Commission
The TFES Reforms include the establishment of the State Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SFESC) as the statutory authority in charge of the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES), with a skills-based board.
The Position Paper – State Fire and Emergency Services Commission presents more detail on this commitment and how the legislation will be drafted to deliver on this.
Feedback on the proposed approach was sought between 3 December 2024 and 28 February 2025.
Submissions Received
| Submission No. | Name (Organisation or Individual) | Date Received |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professor David Bowman, University of Tasmania | 19/12/24 |
| 2 | Glamorgan Spring Bay Council | 13/1/25 |
| 3 | West Tamar Council | 22/1/25 |
| 4 | Tiana Hokins | 22/1/25 |
| 5 | Huon Valley Council | 29/1/25 |
| 6 | Hobart City Council | 12/2/25 |
| 7 | George Town Council | 14/2/25 |
| 8 | Central Highlands Council | 18/2/25 |
| 9 | Latrobe Council | 19/2/25 |
| 10 | Kentish Council | 27/2/25 |
| 11 | Tasmanian Retained Volunteer Firefighters Association | 28/2/25 |
| 12 | Local Government Association of Tasmania | 28/2/25 |
| 13 | Tasmanian Volunteer Fire Brigades Association | 28/2/25 |
| 14 | Tasmanian Forest Products Association | 28/2/25 |
| 15 | Community and Public Sector Union | 28/2/25 |
| 16 | State Fire Management Council | 28/2/25 |
| 17 | Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania | 28/2/25 |
| 18 | United Firefighters Union of Australia – Tasmania Branch | 3/3/25 |
| 19 | Tasmania State Emergency Service Volunteers Association | 12/3/25 |