Melbourne

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Melbourne Airport since the 1970s. Airservices has provided these services for the airport since 1995.

PFAS and fire fighting foam

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water. They have been widely used since the 1950s in common household products, as well as commercial industrial applications such as fire fighting foams.

When Airservices became aware of the potential environmental impacts of PFAS in the early 2000s, we transitioned away from their use. We have used PFAS-free foam at Melbourne Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices National PFAS Management Program, we have undertaken site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS focussed on Airservices ARFFs leases and adjacent areas at Melbourne Airport. Site investigations have included sampling of soil, groundwater and surface water, using criteria for ecological and human health to assess the levels of PFAS.

We completed a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) at Melbourne Airport in 2018 and subsequent targeted investigations to better characterise PFAS and to determine if PFAS is migrating from our sites. This included the incorporation of detailed analysis and sampling undertaken by other agencies and the airport operator.

A Detailed Site investigation (DSI) was completed in 2026. The DSI encompasses areas used or leased by Airservices and downstream of those areas for the provision of ARFF services.

These studies were conducted to understand the extent of PFAS associated with Airservices’ ARFF operations and to identify possible risks to people and the environment.

You can view download a summary of the report results in our fact sheet. Download the factsheet here (Melbourne Airport PFAS Factsheet 2026).

You can also view download the full DSI report here (Melbourne Airport PFAS DSI Report).

Note that the DSI report and appendices have been provided as a series of files due to the size of the whole report. This is to ensure the whole report is more accessible to download.

Management and remediation

We manage legacy PFAS through our National PFAS Management Program to ensure the safety of our people and the communities and environment in which we operate.

The information obtained from the DSI is informing our next steps in the management or remediation of our sites at Melbourne Airport.

Remediation planning for the fire training ground has commenced. The primary objective of remediation is to address PFAS identified at this site.

Since March 2024, Airservices has operated a water treatment system at the Smoke Hut. This system intercepts PFAS migrating from the Smoke Hut in surface water towards Arundel Creek.

Airservices is evaluating remediation options for the fire station, recognising its operational importance and its proximity to Melbourne Airport’s main runway.

As an interim measure, Airservices has initiated the design of a ‘capture, contain and treatment’ system to intercept PFAS migrating in surface water from the fire station. This system, which is to be online in 2026, will materially reduce the amount of PFAS from the fire station entering Arundel Creek.

Airservices is working with Melbourne Airport to coordinate the timing for remediation of the fire training ground alongside planned infrastructure works associated with Melbourne Airport's third runway (M3R). We collaborate with relevant Australian and State Government environmental and health regulators and Melbourne Airport as part of an evidence-led approach to the responsible management of PFAS.

Research and development

We collaborate with leading industry and research institutions to better understand PFAS and support the development of solutions and technologies to manage PFAS.