Rural Fire Service Award: Supreme Court settlement update
13 August 2025
From 1 August 2025, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) implemented major changes to overtime and Monthly Attendance Returns (MARs) following the Supreme Court settlement.
The Public Service Association (PSA) provided detailed feedback on the new Hours of Work Policy to protect members’ rights.
Despite this, the RFS chose to set aside key recommendations provided from the PSA. It released a policy and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) that are at times contradictory and unclear on your true industrial entitlements.
We are already hearing that the newly released policy and FAQ is causing widespread confusion amongst members.
Key changes
- Staff must now record start times, finish times, and breaks in SAP. Updated MAR User Guides are available on OneRFS.
- Record the hours you actually work. Do not falsify your MAR or allow yourself to be pressured into doing so.
- There is still no corporately approved electronic system for Time in Lieu (TIL, formerly TOIL). The É«ÀÇÉçÇøseeks the RFS to standardise and modernise its recording of hours systems.
Members are urged to familiarise themselves with these changes, monitor how they are applied, and immediately raise issues with their É«ÀÇÉçÇødelegate or organisers.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill continue to hold the RFS to account and provide updates.