Reform

Tasmania Fire and Emergency Service (TFES) Reforms

What are the TFES Reforms, and what is changing?

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.

As outlined in the TFS-SES Strategic Plan 2024-2028, our purpose, vision and mission are focussed on working together as progressive, professional and unified organisations to protect life, property and the environment; and to keep Tasmanian communities safe from, and resilient to, the impacts of fire, flood, storm and other emergencies.

Organisational alignment and TFES implementation are central to achieving our strategic priorities.

The TFES reforms will:

  • Establish the TFES in legislation, bringing together the SES and TFS onto a common operating platform
  • Establish the role of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner (FES Commissioner) in legislation as the operational lead of TFES
  • Establish the State Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SFESC) as the statutory authority in charge of TFES, with a skills-based board
  • Continue the TFES as an operational pillar of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
  • Establish ongoing consultation forums to brief the SFESC and FES Commissioner on our stakeholder needs
  • Establish a volunteer charter in legislation
  • Replace the existing Fire Service Act 1979 and regulations with contemporary, principles-based legislation, and amend the Emergency Management Act 2006.

The reforms are led by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, who is supported by a Steering Committee and a working group. An Executive Reference Group made up of SES and TFS senior leadership provides advice and assists the Commissioner to keep staff, volunteers and stakeholders informed on the status of the reforms. Opportunities for comment, feedback and input to implementation of the reforms are provided.

Status of Reforms

Throughout late 2025 and early 2026, further work to progress the reforms have continued. 

This includes:

  •  Development and review of new principles-based legislation (draft Bill) and regulations with subject matter experts. 
  •  Design and development of the TFES governance structure, comprising of a new skills-based State Fire and Emergency Services Commission and its sub-committees, along with supporting documentation including a Commission Charter, Terms of Reference, recruitment and appointment procedures.
  • Drafting of a draft Volunteer Charter.
  • Preparation of a new process to issue and manage Infringement Notices for TFES relevant offences.

As part of this work, extensive stakeholder consultation has been conducted, including regular meetings with the internal TFES Working Group, Unions and Volunteer Associations (representing employed and volunteer members of the TFSand SES).

The new draft Bill will be sent to Cabinet for approval in the first quarter of 2026before being released for public consultation.

More information

Reform Journey (TFS website)

Contact

For further information, to register for updates on the reforms or to request a briefing by the project team, please contact tfes@dpfem.tas.gov.au