The latest batch of 20 recruits started on Monday as the first of what ACT Fire and Rescue hopes will be 99 additional members over the next four years.

Four women started at the college this week and an additional two will join later in the year.

Former gymnastics coach Lauren Thompson said she was excited to be one of the newest female recruits.

"I've always had a passion for helping the public and I want to do something that's both physically and mentally challenging," she said. "You can definitely do it. It's challenging but I think it's going to be really rewarding and it will be a pretty cool job to be a part of."

Station officer Kari Harlovich said there were 24 women firefighters in Canberra and was pleased to welcome more.

"It's an extremely diverse group in age, gender, life experience, their previous careers," she said.

"We've done a lot of work to make it a more attractive role to a whole range of diversity groups [and] it's definitely getting through that more females want to join the job."

Mr Gentleman said recruits moving over to ACT Fire and Rescue from previous careers may find challenges in the new job but will bring different knowledge with them.

One such recruit is former software developer Maddison Giles, who used his experience to create new apps for ACT Fire and Rescue.

Mr Giles said he had applied for Fire and Rescue three times in the past and was excited and nervous to finally start his "dream job".

"I've been a software developer for 10 years and I was just sick of being chained to the desk," he said.

"I always wanted to help people. That gives me the most satisfaction and to do that for a job is an amazing opportunity."

Ms Harlovich said it would be a challenging 21 weeks of training for the new recruits.