Firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the general public, and until now they have been forced to prove the time, date and place of cancer infection before they could claim workers compensation.

Mr Anderson said this was impossible for firefighters as they had often been exposed to toxic smoke and chemicals many times during their years on the job or as a volunteer.

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“These firefighters are dying and the families are being forced to look after themselves,” he said.

Minister for emergency services Troy Grant announced the amendment on Thursday morning.

“It will apply as of today [Thursday] and when the amendments come in they will be retrospective,” he said.

A number of cancers have been identified as more likely in firefighters, including: primary site brain cancer, leukaemia, breast cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, myeloma, prostate cancer, ureter cancer, colorectal cancer and oesophageal cancer.

Mr Grant said there would be no time limitations for when firefighters could apply and it also applied to those who were no longer working or volunteering in the role.

The amendment will apply to paid and volunteer firefighters across all firefighting services in NSW.

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Mr Anderson said the presumptive legislation changed the burden of proof.

“Rather than having to prove you got cancer on a certain time, date and place, the insurance company has to prove it that you didn’t get it through your occupation,” he said.

Mr Anderson said that the amended legislation would prove that “the occupation is dangerous”.

In a join statement issued on Thursday morning, Mr Grant and Minister for Services Victor Dominello said the amendment would apply to firefighters who were diagnosed with one of 12 prescribed cancers and who also met applicable minimum employment periods.

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“Anyone who is diagnosed from today onwards will be entitled to the presumption, subject to the passing of this legislation,” they said.

“Similar provisions have been introduced in most other states and territories and the Commonwealth over the past seven years.”

The two ministers said firefighters deserved better protection.

“Over the past 12 months, the government has been consulting closely with the Fire Brigade Employees Union and the Rural Fire Service Association which represent the 100,000 plus current and former firefighters who will benefit from this reform,” they said.

“The principal firefighting agencies including Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service have also been part of the consultation.”