ABOUT US
Nearly two decades of driving change for women and diverse people in fire and emergency services.
WAFA is the peak body and voice for women and diverse people across fire and emergency services in Australasia – founded in 2007 by women in the sector who knew change wasn't coming unless they fought for a seat at the table.
OUR VISION
A fire and emergency services sector where gender equality is the standard, and every woman and person of diverse gender is empowered to apply, advance, and succeed to their full potential.
OUR MISSION
To amplify the voices and lived experiences of women and gender diverse people in fire and emergency services, through strategic advocacy, funded leadership programs, and partnerships that drive gender equality and ensure no one navigates their career alone.
Our Story
Founded by women in fire and emergency services, for women and diverse people in fire and emergency services.In 2005, women from across Australasia's fire services gathered in Sydney for the inaugural Australasian Women in Firefighting Forum. They left with three resolutions:
To present their findings to AFAC
To hold another conference
To build a professional association that would represent women and diverse people at the highest levels of the sector.
Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) was incorporated in November 2007.Since then, WAFA has convened in Sydney, Darling Harbour, the Yarra Valley, Adelaide, Canberra, Wellington, Brisbane, and Perth. Each conference brings more women together, raising the standard of the conversation, and strengthening the case for change.
Nearly two decades on, WAFA contributes to national and sector committees, provides representation on issues including recruitment, PPE, workplace culture, and career progression, and works to strengthen gender equity, leadership, and inclusion – so every woman and diverse person in fire and emergency services feels supported and valued.
This is how far we've come, and there is still a long way to go. Be part of what happens next.
What we stand for
We are here to change the conditions, not just the conversation.
Women make up less than 10% of operational firefighters across Australasia. Behind that number are women working in isolation – by geography, role, or workplace – navigating systems and PPE that were never designed for them, and carrying burdens most of their male colleagues will never have to face. WAFA exists to change that. We work at the structural level, on the policies, systems, and cultures that shape what it means to be a woman or diverse person in fire and emergency services.
AFAC is the peak body for fire and emergency services across Australia and New Zealand. WAFA's relationship with AFAC is central to everything we do, and is built through consistent, credible, solutions-focused engagement.
We co-locate our annual conference with AFAC and contribute to their national steering committees. AFAC's Deputy CEO also sits on our board.
The relationship that puts us where decisions are made.
THE WORK
What two decades of advocacy have accomplished so far.WAFA's advocacy is focused on outcomes that make a real difference to real women in fire and emergency services
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We sit on AFAC and national committees that would otherwise lack a female voice. When PPE is on the agenda, WAFA is in the room – ensuring gender-inclusive safety equipment is part of the conversation. When parental leave policy is being reviewed, WAFA is at the table. Our presence changes outcomes for women right across the industry.
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In the past 12 months alone, over $30,000 has been invested in leadership development, seminars, and webinars for our members. We also connect women across agencies with the networks, resources, support, and opportunities they need to advance.
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In 2025, the first menopause toolkit for firefighters was developed at Fire and Rescue NSW – for an organisation where more than 1,000 employees will experience menopause.
WAFA works for, supports, and celebrates this kind of change – the practical, specific initiatives that make a real difference to women.
We’re a volunteer-run, Not-For-Profit board with national impact.
WAFA's board is made up of women and men from fire and emergency services agencies across Australasia, operational firefighters, researchers, communications professionals, and sector leaders with decades of combined experience.
We do this work entirely voluntarily, with no government funding and no full-time staff. We do this because we believe fire and emergency services can and must do better for the women who serve in it.
THere has never been a better time to join.
The work we do at WAFA is made possible by the people who back it. Every person who joins supports the only peak body across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific supporting women and diverse people in fire and emergency services.