Since 2015, Queensland legislation has deemed certain cancers to be work-related for firefighters.
In August 2024, Queensland Parliament passed amendments to expand the scope of cancers and Queensland now has the most comprehensive Workers’ Compensation scheme for firefighters in Australia.
Eleven more cancers have been added to the list of presumptive illnesses, which now covers 23 types of cancer.
This will help firefighters access workers’ compensation more quickly, removing unnecessary stress from an already difficult time.
The list now includes reproductive cancers in women, an important addition as more women volunteer and take up careers in firefighting.
This type of legislation originated in Canada and the US as part of a global drive to improve the health of firefighters.
Cancers covered by the legislation
You can read more about the types of cancer covered by the legislation below, including associated sources and the minimum qualifying period.
Asbestos related disease
An asbestos-related disease is a medical condition that is attributable to a person having been exposed to asbestos.
- Malignant (cancerous) asbestos related diseases include:
- Mesothelioma—cancer that starts in the mesothelial cells that line organs like the lungs or abdomen
- Lung cancer—cancer that starts in the lungs
- Ovarian cancer— cancer that starts in one or both ovaries
- Laryngeal cancer— cancer that starts in the larynx (voice box)
Benign (not cancerous) asbestos related diseases include:
- Asbestosis—scarring of the lung
- Pleural thickening—inflammation of the pleura, which are membranes that line the chest wall and cover the lungs
- Pleural plaques— scarring of the pleura
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Sources: Asbestos | Cancer Council, Submission on Worker's Compensation Entitlements - Asbestos Diseases | Queensland Parliament
Bladder cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cell of the bladder’s inner lining.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Bladder cancer | Cancer Council
Brain cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the brain and encompasses malignant brain tumours. A benign brain tumour is not classified as brain cancer. Primary site brain cancers do not usually spread outside the brain and spinal cord.
Minimum number of years: 5 years
Source: Brain cancer | Cancer Council
Breast cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cells lining the breast lobules or ducts. Women, men, transgender and gender-diverse people can get breast cancer.
There is a national screening program for breast cancer known as the BreastScreen Australia Program. Each state and territory has its own implementation of the program. BreastScreen Queensland actively invites all women aged 50 to 74 to receive a free screening mammogram every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 or 75 and over can request screening by contacting BreastScreen or talking to their doctor.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Sources: Breast cancer | Cancer Council, BreastScreen Queensland
Cervical cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cells lining the cervix.
There is a national screening program for cervical cancer: The National Cervical Screening Program. People aged 25 to 74 should screen every five years. Screening involves testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
The National Cervical Screening Program is designed to work together with the HPV vaccination program. Australian children aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine at school through the National Immunisation Program.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Sources: Cervical cancer | Cancer Council, National Cervical Screening Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, National Immunisation Program Schedule | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Immunisation Schedule Queensland | Queensland Health
Colorectal cancer (primary site)
Colorectal cancer, or bowel cancer, develops from the inner lining of the bowel. Depending on where the cancer begins, bowel cancer may be called colon or rectal cancer.
There is a national screening program for bowel cancer: The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Eligible Australians aged 50 to 74 are sent a screening test every two years. From 1st July 2024, people aged 45 to 49 can also request a free screening kit to be mailed to them.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Sources: Bowel cancer | Cancer Council, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Kidney cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cells of the kidney. The kidney also includes the ureters, bladder and urethra.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Kidney cancer | Cancer Council
Leukaemia (primary site)
Leukaemias are cancers of the white blood cells, which begin in the bone marrow.
Minimum number of years: 5 years
Source: Leukaemia | Cancer Council
Liver cancer (primary site)
A cancer that begins in the liver.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Liver cancer | Cancer Council
Lung cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the lungs. There are two main types of primary site lung cancer:
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)—make up about 85% of lung cancers
- small cell lung cancer (SCLC)—make up about 15% of lung cancers
In July 2025, Australia will launch its National Lung Cancer Screening Program. The Program will target high-risk individuals aged 50 to 70 with no symptoms.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Understanding Lung Cancer, National Lung Cancer Screening Program | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Malignant mesothelioma
A cancer that starts in the mesothelial cells which cover most internal organs. There are two main types: pleural (lungs) and peritoneal (abdomen).
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Mesothelioma | Cancer Council
Multiple myeloma
A type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma is often called multiple myeloma because 90% of people have multiple bone lesions (abnormal bone or tissue) at the time of diagnosis.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Myeloma | Cancer Council
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (primary site)
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a type of lymphoma, a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system and includes the various lymph glands around the body. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma most commonly occurs in a lymph node but can also occur in the liver, spleen, stomach or bones.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Ovarian cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in one or both ovaries.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Source: Ovarian Cancer | Cancer Council
Oesophageal cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the oesophagus. In Australia it is most commonly found in the lower section of the oesophagus, adjoining the stomach.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Pancreatic cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the pancreas.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Penile cancer (primary site)
A rare cancer that starts on the foreskin, the glans (head) of the penis, or on the skin of the penile shaft.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Penile cancer | Cancer Council
Prostate cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the prostate gland.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Prostate cancer | Cancer Council
Skin cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the skin. The two types of skin cancer include:
- Melanoma—starts in skin cells called melanocytes. Rare melanomas can occur inside the eye (ocular melanoma)
- Non-melanoma skin cancers (now called keratinocyte cancers)
The two main types of nonmelanoma skin cancers are:
- basal cell carcinoma (BCC) — begins in the lower layer of the epidermis (top, outer layer of the skin)
- squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — begins in the upper layer of the epidermis
- keratinocyte dysplasias — includes solar keratosis, Bowenoid keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma in-situ (Bowen's disease)
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Sources: Melanoma | Cancer Council, Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Nonmelanoma skin cancer | Cancer Council
Testicular cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cells of one or both testes.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Thyroid cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the cells of the thyroid.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Source: Thyroid Cancer | Cancer Council
Ureter cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the inner lining of the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder (the ureter). It can also be called upper tract urothelial cancer.
Minimum number of years: 15 years
Source: Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (UTUC) | Cancer Council
Uterine cancer (primary site)
A cancer that starts in the uterus.
Minimum number of years: 10 years
Source: Uterine cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments | Cancer Council
Cancers with strongest evidence
Seven of the above cancers have the strongest evidence of being linked to firefighting. Read more about their causes, prevalence, symptoms, prevention and when to seek medical advice. The information in this section has been sourced from Cancer Council Queensland. Prevalence data may have been sourced from other sites, as referenced.
What does this mean for firefighters?
Research has shown that firefighters have an increased risk of cancer compared to the general population due to the nature of their occupation exposing them to certain cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).
However, this occupational risk factor does not mean that a firefighter will necessarily develop cancer. Much like other risk factors—such as age, family history and lifestyle choices—firefighting adds to an individual’s overall risk profile but is only one part of the picture.
Understanding firefighting as a risk factor can help highlight the importance of participating in population-based cancer screening programs, knowing your body and seeing a doctor if you notice any changes, and leading a generally healthy lifestyle to minimise other preventable risks wherever possible.
Recommendations for firefighters
To help reduce the risk of cancer, we recommend that firefighters lead a healthy lifestyle both in and out of the workplace by following cancer prevention and early detection guidelines. This includes following health, wellbeing, and safety procedures at work to minimise exposure to carcinogenic risk factors.
It's equally important to stay up to date with Australia’s population-based cancer screening programs and ensure that your GP is informed about your personal and family medical history, as well as your occupation, so they can make the best decisions for your health.
Finally, be mindful of any changes in your body and consult your doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
Checklist for firefighters to reduce cancer risk
- Lead a healthy lifestyle (in and out of work/volunteering) following Australian guidelines:
- Don’t smoke
- Limit alcohol or avoid drinking if possible
- Be physically active
- Eat a healthy diet
- Practice sun safety
- Adhere to safety and wellbeing procedures at work to reduce exposure to carcinogenic risk factors.
- Participate in Australia’s population-based cancer screening programs when eligible or as directed by your doctor.
- Inform your GP about your personal and family medical history, as well as your occupation.
- Know your body and what’s normal for you. If you notice any changes or something doesn’t feel right, talk to your doctor.
Resources and references.