Australia’s prime minister has said some volunteer firefighters will receive paid leave entitlements for their work amid backlash over his response to the country’s devastating wildfire crisis.

Volunteers will have to work over Christmas to contain fires that have burned about five million hectares of land nationwide over the past few months, killing five people and destroying more than 950 homes.

Scott Morrison has pledged to support public sector workers who volunteer to battle the blazes with 20 days of paid leave on top of their regular permitted leave.

The PM has been criticised for taking a family vacation to Hawaii during the crisis and faced calls from the opposition Labour party to consider compensation for volunteer firefighters.

“With bushfire seasons starting earlier, one of the things I've heard on the ground is that some people are dipping into their other leave entitlements to stay out there battling blazes,” the prime minister told reporters in South Australia.

“Today's announcement is about ensuring our volunteer firefighters can keep focused on the job at hand."

States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Show all 15 1 /15 States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A firefighter works on a bushfire believed to have been sparked by a lightning strike that has ravaged an area of over 2,000 hectares in northern New South Wales state AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A dehydrated and injured Koala receives treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A water tanker airplane drops fire retardant on a bushfire in Harrington, New South Wales EPA States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Firefighters tackle a bushfire to save a home in Taree, 350km north of Sydney AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A kangaroo is seen by the burnt remains of a vintage car in Torrington Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Photo taken on November 9, 2019 shows bushfires taken from a plane in over north eastern New South Wales AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage around his home in Torrington Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters conduct property protection as a bushfire burns close to homes on Railway Parade in Woodford NSW AP States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (L) comforts 85-year-old resident Owen Whalan at an evacauation centre in Taree 350km north of Sydney AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Fire burns at Bolivia Hill in Glen Innes Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A resident puts out small fires as he rides his motorcycle in Old Bar, New South Wales EPA States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A fire rages in Bobin, 350km north of Sydney on November 9, 2019, as firefighters try to contain dozens of out-of-control blazes AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia Construction workers speak as smoke haze drifts over Sydney, Australia EPA States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A vintage Jaguar car sits in ruins after a bushfire destroyed a property in Old Bar, 350km north of Sydney AFP via Getty Images States of emergency declared as bushfires rage across Australia A fire rages in Bobin, 350km north of Sydney AFP via Getty Images

Authorities have warned that the fires in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, could rage for months.

“We know this does not address the situation for self-employed and small businesses directly, but it does mean those working for larger organisations can step in and take some of the load from those volunteers who work for themselves or small businesses,” added Mr Morrison, who urged the private sector to implement similar measures.

An emotional interview on Australian TV on Tuesday drew attention to the sacrifices made by firefighters tackling the blazes.

Andrew Johnston, a volunteer for the Balmoral Rural Fire Service, broke down in tears as he told a reporter he had not been able to buy his young daughter Christmas presents because he was busy fighting the fires.

“It's just overwhelming, the support,” Mr Johnston said, referring to gifts which had been donated to his town.

“You can see all the presents and stuff for the kids and I think that's just what they need at the moment.

“I haven't even gone Christmas shopping or anything for my daughter. She's about to turn one on 11 January."

New South Wales was given some temporary relief with cooler temperatures on Tuesday but authorities have warned conditions could deteriorate over the weekend due to warmer and windier weather.

Mr Morrison toured an area in South Australia where up to 200 volunteer firefighters have been battling a 25,000-hectare blaze.

“Today may be Christmas Eve, but for so many firefighters, it is going to be another day out there protecting their communities. And I thank them for their service," the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, South Australia state police have said wildfire victims have been targeted by possible scammers in an attempt to access personal financial accounts.

In the suspected fraud, victims received phone calls from people claiming to be from their bank and offering to provide disaster relief funds before asking for account details.