Airport Emergency Services - Auckland Airport

Join Auckland Airport Emergency Services (AES) as an Aviation Firefighter!

About the role

Imagine a career where every day brings new challenges and the opportunity to make a real difference. Auckland Airport Emergency Services (AES) is the largest privately owned fire brigade in the country. AES plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of operations, responding to a wide range of emergency situations across the Auckland Airport precinct.

As an Aviation firefighter with Auckland AES, you'll be on the frontline, responding to a variety of situations including aviation emergencies, building fires, medical events, maritime rescue and hazardous materials. Your role will involve protecting lives, property, and the environment, all while ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations at one of Australasia's busiest airports.

Providing around the clock firefighting abilities means AES staff work shifts of two days and two nights followed by four rest days. These hours allow our fire fighters to recover and balance their work and life commitments.

If you're looking for a role that combines excellent purpose, and a chance to serve your community, read on to discover why joining AES is the right move for you.

• Competitive salary with enhanced leave provisions
• An exciting career path with real comradery
• Once you are fully trained you will join a shift crew, which will become your work whanau
• Fully subsidised medical, life and income protection insurance
• Free on-site car parking
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

Our Process

We'll also evaluate your understanding of the role, your ability to handle challenging situations and work within a team.

We really want you to succeed, so to support you with your journey, you will also have the option to attend a Recruitment preparation boot camp. Here you will get to see our working environment, ask questions, and practice the physical tests. Please check our AES recruitment page for further information:

Airport Emergency Services - Auckland Airport Careers

What you’ll bring

At Auckland Airport, we are a busy hive of activity, and a lot of what we look for is how you would align with our AKL values All In | Tātou tatou – How we feel, Know How | Kōkiri Tahi – How we think and Let’s Go | Karawhiua – How we act.

You’ll be physically active and thrive as part of a close-knit team who live and work together when you’re on shift. You’ll be level-headed, have empathy, and be able to make sound decisions under pressure. In this role you’ll get to work with a great crew, enjoy lifestyle balance and love learning on the job.

First check to ensure you meet the essential requirements, you must be:

• Be physically fit and healthy, able to pass ongoing medical and physical competency assessments (please ensure you have read the physical testing requirements on our careers page)
• Full class 1 New Zealand driving license. A full Class 2 driver’s license must be obtained by the end of the recruit course.
• Be able to learn on the job, follow instructions, and work well in a team structured environment.
• Ability to work a shift pattern
• Pass the checks required to obtain a Civil Aviation Authority Airport Identity Card and a criminal background check.

Special requirements

To be considered for our 2026 intake you need to be aware that:

• A Physical Assessment is one of the first stages of selection, information on the fitness requirements is available on the AES Careers Page. Be prepared!
• AES Trainees require NZ Full Class One Drivers licenses. Class Two Learners is required to commence training.
• AES Trainees must be able to swim short distances and be able to complete timed tread water activities.
• AES Trainees require a legal entitlement to be able to work in NZ
• All successful trainees will be required to undertake a paid 20-week training course at the Airport and will require visas and passports for international travel during the training period.

Beep Test

Before submitting your application form, we recommend undertaking a beep test to ensure that you can complete the application adequately as minimum requirements apply.

Beep test information can be found here:

All About the Beep (Bleep) Test

Physical fitness test information can be found here:

Auckland Airport Emergency Service Tests - YouTube

For more information visit the AES Careers page:

Airport Emergency Services - Auckland Airport Careers

Imagine Making a Difference

This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team where no two days are the same. As an Aviation firefighter, you will:

• Make a real difference in the community.
• Respond to various emergencies, from fires to medical incidents.
• Build an exciting career with extensive training and development opportunities.
• Work a shift roster that allows for work-life balance.

Apply Now

Applications close on the 7th September 2025 and only those candidates shortlisted will be contacted to schedule a Physical Assessment. Shortlisted candidates will have the choice to attend one of the two mandatory Physical Assessment Sessions on either 27th September 2025 or 4th October 2025.

A further day of Practical Aptitude and Capability (PAC) suitability testing will be undertaken on 11th October 2025, only for those successful in being selected after the Physical Testing stage. This is mandatory for those that are shortlisted following the physical tests.

All successful trainees will be required to undertake a 20-week Initial Acquisition Training course commencing in January 2026

If you would like more information on our recruitment bootcamps or general information on life at AES, visit Auckland Airport Emergency Services careers page.

Apply now and become a part of our team.

Auckland Airport is committed to equal opportunity employment, because we recognise that genuine inclusion of diverse thoughts and contributions enriches our organisation and helps us all to thrive and succeed. We therefore warmly welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.