Why be a NTPFES Cadet?
The NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) Cadet program is an 18 month Vocational Education and Training program for students commencing year 11. The program provides a unique experience for students to experience working in the Emergency Services environment, while also gaining tertiary qualifications. The program can also provide employment pathways into NTPFES, with Cadet graduates eligible for entry level Public Service recruitment via Cadet Special Measures Priority Consideration.
Applications for our 2025 PFES Cadet intake have now closed. Applications for the 2026 Intake will open on 1st August 2025. All applications must be supported by the students school VET coordinator.
General Cadet program enquires can be sent to cadets.pfes@pfes.nt.gov.au at any time.
As a NTPFES Cadet, you will participate in fun and educational activities such as:
Darwin
- POL21122 - Certificate II in Community Engagement (RTO No. 0384)
one day a week at the NTPFES College, each school term - BSB30120 - Certificate III in Business, Charles Darwin University (RTO No. 0373)
- one day a week at the Darwin Campus, each school term
- An outdoor adventure and leadership camp
- A visit to an Indigenous community to learn about cultural and community engagement
- Volunteering at local community events and in local community organisations
- Several work placements including within the NTPFES
- As well as several weeks specific to learning the tricks of the trade with Fire and Emergency Services.
Alice Springs
- POL21122 - Certificate II in Community Engagement (RTO No. 0384) one day a week, each school term
- BSB30120 - Certificate III in Business, Charles Darwin University (RTO No. 0373)
- one day a week at the Alice Springs Campus, each school term
- An outdoor adventure and leadership camp
- A visit to an Indigenous community to learn about cultural and community engagement
- Volunteering with local community organisations
- Several work placements including within the NTPFES
- Several weeks dedicated to learning the tricks of the trade with Fire and Emergency Services.
Physical Training
Physical training is an important part of the PFES Cadet program, and Cadets participate in an hour of physical training on each Cadet training day at the PFES College or a sporting facility in Alice Springs as well as on camps. A physical fitness assessment is now part of the Cadet application process, and will be conducted around the same time as interviews. This assessment is based on the standard Police physical fitness assessment undertaken by Police recruits, and includes the ‘beep test’, pushups to a cadence, and situps to a cadence. There is no minimum standard for Cadet applicants (ie no pass or fail) – it is designed to show instructors the physical ability of each applicant, and provide a fitness benchmark for applicants to allow for improvement.
We strongly suggest that successful applicants commence a physical conditioning program to ensure that they are at a suitable level of fitness prior to commencing their Cadet training in each year. During their induction week in February, Cadets will complete the standard Police physical fitness assessment, and it will be repeated several times during the course of their Cadet program.
The attached suggested conditioning program has been developed by our Police physical training instructors specifically for Cadets, and is designed to gradually increase the applicants physical ability in the lead up to commencing Cadet training.
Application Process
All applications must be supported by the school VET coordinator. The application process consists of three stages:
- Submission of the application form, including all supporting documentation, and a one page handwritten letter detailing why the applicant wants to become a PFES Cadet.
- Physical Fitness assessment
- Face to Face interview with staff from PFES and CDU
Supporting information from the school that must be included with the application form include the applicants year 10 academic results, discipline history, and attendance record for Semester One of year 10.
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