Tasmanian firefighters have welcomed a groundbreaking scheme compensating them if they contract cancer.

Tasmania is set to become the first Australian state to directly compensate career and volunteer firefighters who contract cancer at work.

Workplace Relations Minister, David O'Byrne, has tabled a bill covering 12 types of cancer caused by exposure to toxic chemicals on the job.

If it passes, the bill will give firefighters access to medical support, leave and compensation.

"Firefighters run towards the danger and through their activities they are exposed to carcinogens and environments that no worker really should be confronted with," Mr O'Byrne said.

It will also mean firefighters will not have to go through what is considered an almost impossible process of proving which chemicals caused their cancer.

Peter Marshall from the United Firefighters Union says the legislation sends a powerful message.

"Unfortunately it's an unavoidable risk being exposed to cancer-causing toxins," he said.

"This legislation will make sure they're protected in the event that they suffer cancer."

Firefighter Daniel Redpath contracted prostate cancer in 2011.

He will not be eligible for compensation under the changes, but says it is important legislation for his colleagues.

"Well it's there now to say hey if you got affected by some chemicals or whatever down the track it's there now to say I need some workers compensation for it," he said.

"It will help everyone else."

Tasmania has about 300 career firefighters and 5000 volunteer firefighters.