Provision of Pre-employment Cognitive and Behavioural / Personality Assessment Services

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is seeking the supply of psychological services, in the form of pre-employment psychological assessment of candidates being considered for career firefighter positions.

Psychological assessment is a critical element of the selection process and is used to ensure prospective firefighters meet the psychological requirements of the role, from a cognitive, emotional intelligence and personality perspective. Valid and reliable psychological assessments are used to predict a candidate’s job performance and therefore, it is essential that these services are delivered for DFES to meet its recruitment requirements.

Psychological data is considered in conjunction with other evidence collected on each candidate as part of the overall selection process to determine suitability for the role and to identify potential risks. To provide context of where the psychological assessment sits within the overall selection process, please refer to Appendix 1 – Firefighter Recruitment Candidate Information Pack 2025.

The required psychological assessments include cognitive aptitude, emotional intelligence as well as personality assessment. The cognitive aptitude, emotional intelligence and personality assessments will be used in the initial stages (Stage 2) of the selection process, to screen out candidates. It is expected that in excess of 600 candidates will undertake the assessments at a time.

The cognitive aptitude assessment must assess the following:

• Verbal reasoning
• Numerical ability
• Mechanical reasoning
• Diagrammatic awareness
• Spatial awareness
• Error checking

Assessments must have proven validity and reliability.

Candidates will also undertake emotional intelligence and a personality assessment during this stage. The personality assessment is used to determine a candidate’s behavioural strengths aligned to the capabilities outlined in the Firefighter Success Profile. These behavioural strengths are:

• Adapts to the team
• Builds relationships and establishes rapport
• Achieves goals and work tasks
• Demonstrates integrity
• Copes with pressure and setbacks
• Adapts to change
• Follows directions and procedures
• Development focus
• Innovation