As the frequency and severity of bushfires increase due to the continual threat of climate change, the need for aggressive suppression and management strategies, including the use of firefighting chemicals (FFCs), is growing. The recent unprecedented bushfires saw major world heritage sites burnt and FFCs applied to otherwise pristine environments that are habitats and breeding sites for many frog species. This project investigates the ecological impact of FFCs on Australia’s at-risk species. We conducted an online survey to collate expert opinions on the state of knowledge concerning the environmental impacts of FFCs, which identified several critical knowledge gaps concerning the use of these chemicals in Australia, with research priorities centred around quantitatively determining their effects on aquatic species and ecosystems. Laboratory exposures aimed at investigating acute and longer-term effects of FFCs showed that commonly used FFCs chemicals, including a fire retardant (Phos-Chek LC95W) and a water enhancer (BlazeTamer380), significantly impaired Limnodynastes peronii tadpole growth and development, with the Phos-Chek retardant causing physiological and morphological effects that resulted in death at upper concentrations. Results show that applying FFCs in and around small waterbodies (either via deliberate application, runoff or accidental spills) can have important ramifications for frogs that breed and develop in these habitats. Our findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive assessment of the ecological impacts of FFCs used to control and suppress bushfires in Australia. More research is also needed to determine how landscape-scale applications of these chemicals might impact sensitive frog species, especially those already threatened by chytridiomycosis, the deadly disease affecting frog populations globally.