Australian army special forces fitness assessment
The physical standards for SfAP and selection define the objective baseline and competitive benchmarks candidates must meet to be eligible firstly to attend and then to pass selection.
Passing these barriers does not guarantee a spot on selection or passing selection criteria.
These standards prioritise functional endurance under load, efficient movement in boots and webbing, aquatic competency in combat kit, and repeatable upper-body and core capacity under fatigue. The Barrier Standards table lists both a Minimum Standard, which qualifies a candidate to continue through the pipeline, and a Competitive Benchmark. Candidates should aim to meet or exceed competitive benchmarks to improve their chance of being granted a spot on selection.
Sfap
| Test Component | Minimum Standard | Competitive Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Cadence Push-ups | 40 reps | 65+ reps |
| Cadence Heaves (Pull-ups) | 7 reps | 12+ reps |
| 3.2 km Webbing Run (with 8 kg webbing + 4 kg weapon) | <16 minutes | <14.5 minutes is excellent |
| 90-min Ruck March “Stomp” (with 28 kg pack + 4 kg weapon) | ~11 km | Maintain ~8 min/km pace |
| Water Test (2-min tread + 400 m swim in cams and boots) | <16 minutes | <13 minutes |
| Sit-ups (varies) | ~60 reps | Higher scores improve ranking |
SELECTION
| Test Component | Standard |
|---|---|
| Pack March | 20 km < 3 hrs 15 min with 28 kg pack + 4 kg weapon |
| 3.2km webbing run (in boots) | <16 minutes (with 8 kg webbing + 4 kg weapon) |
| Swim Test | 2-min tread + 400 m swim in cams and boots <16 minutes |
| Cadence Push-ups | 60 reps |
| Cadence Heaves | 10 reps |
These standards are minimum thresholds for continued consideration and competitive benchmarks for ranking during SFET and selection. Training must focus on repeatable performance under load and target the Competitive Benchmarks rather than only the minimum. Preparing to consistently exceed the listed minimum across all components maximises the chance of recommendation for selection and demonstrates the durability, pace, and adaptability special forces selection demands.
NSW fire and rescue physical aptitude test
Candidates applying for the role of firefighter with Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) are required to complete a Physical Aptitude Test (PAT). Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation and FRNSW has a duty of care to ensure that individuals recruited for the role of a firefighter possess the level of strength and endurance required to safely and effectively meet the demands placed on a firefighter during emergency situations. The exposure to stressors associated with manual handling, load carriage (including protective equipment), temperature extremes, variable terrains and confined spaces are known to impose unique physical and physiological demands upon firefighters
| No | Task | Test Focus | Description |
| STAGE 1 | |||
| 1 | Reduced visibility search | Claustrophobia | The candidate is required to wear a frosted face mask which will reduce visibility but will not affect breathing ability. The applicant must then navigate through a dark, confined space as directed by their assessor. |
| 2 | Ladder raise and lower simulation | Upper body strength and endurance | The candidate is required to grip a 2.5kg bar connected to a resistance reel providing 27.5 kg of vertical force. The candidate must raise the bar to hip height, squat under the bar and then in one continuous movement stand up and achieve a straight arm posture with hands above the head. |
| STAGE 2 – To be completed under 15 minutes | |||
| 1 | Single-sided jerry can carry | Upper body strength and endurance, grip strength, shoulder stability | The candidate is required to adopt a unilateral grip on a 26kg jerry can and walk a distance of 195m distance. The candidate may swap which hand they are carrying the jerry can in as many times as they wish, however it must only ever be carried with one hand at a time. |
| 2 | Stair climb with single-sided jerry can carry | Upper body strength and endurance, lower body strength and power | The candidate is required to adopt a unilateral grip on a 17.5kg jerry can and step up and down a 26cm step 36 times. The candidate may swap which hand they are carrying the jerry can in as many times as they wish, however it must only ever be carried with one hand at a time. |
The FRNSW Physical Aptitude Test (PAT) is a highly validated assessment of the inherent requirements of firefighting and has been designed specifically to identify and recruit individuals who are physiologically capable of tolerating the work-related stress of firefighting.
Australian federal police tactical response teams
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) Tactical Response Team (TRT) requires a very high level of fitness beyond general duties policing, involving job-specific, rigorous physical assessments under load.
To be eligible for a TRT role, applicants must successfully complete a challenging selection course that includes several physical assessments. These include:
- Cadence Chin-ups: Completing 3 chin-ups to cadence while wearing a 17 kg vest.
- Dummy Lift and Carry: Lifting and carrying an 80 kg dummy for at least 80 m while wearing a 17 kg vest.
- Stair Run: Running up three flights of stairs in full operational gear.
- Leopard Crawl: Performing a 30 m leopard crawl in full operational gear.
- Water Fitness Test: Treading water for 10 minutes in overalls and shoes, followed by a 400 m swim within 13 minutes.
- Pack March: Undertaking a 10 km pack march with 25 kg of weight plus water and a rifle.