A crew of inmate firefighters take a break during firefighting operations in California on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Volunteer firefighters in Australia will be offered government compensation after spending extended periods fighting bushfires raging across the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Sunday.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers who have spent at least 10 days battling blazes in worst-hit New South Wales state are immediately eligible for the scheme, which offers payments of up to Aus$300 ($209) per day for a maximum of Aus $6,000 per person.

"While I know RFS volunteers don't seek payment for their service, I don't want to see volunteers or their families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making," Morrison said.

"This is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss."

Morrison said that the compensation scheme would be rolled out across other states among Australia and other territories if local authorities requested that assistance.

Volunteers who are also government employees were last week granted additional paid leave to help fight the blazes, Morrison said. 

AFP