Of the 17 firefighter vacancies on the South Coast one of those is a region-wide position, six are based in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands, four in the Eurobodalla, three in the Shoalhaven and three on the Sapphire Coast.

This comes a week after the Public Service Association said there had been a 35 per cent cut to fire-trained positions in national parks and alleged they were now being managed by a "skeleton staff".

The National Parks and Wildlife Service carry out 75 per cent of all prescribed burning in NSW.

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the firefighter vacancies were unacceptable in a "horror bushfire season".

"For the government to slash funding and jobs to such a critical service is bad enough, but now to leave so many crucial positions vacant is absolutely disgraceful," she said.

Shadow Environment Minister Kate Washington said national parks had been cut to the bone.

"They have slashed front-line workers who manage fire risk and hazard reduction, they have cut the national parks budget, and now they have implemented a hiring freeze for the few positions that are left," Ms Washington said.

"These dangerous decisions have very real consequences."

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The National Parks and Wildlife Service would not confirm the firefighter vacancies but said the number of trained firefighters had increased since 2011/12.

"In a large organisation, such as NPWS, there are always some vacancies. The organisation also adjusts over time to ensure that it is best able to meet its objectives," a spokesperson said.

"NPWS maintains a fit and prepared firefighting workforce and has adequate resources to conduct hazard reduction and emergency response activities.

"The effectiveness and capacity of NPWS in fighting fires has been demonstrated in the last few weeks in responding to the bushfires across NSW."

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean has been contacted for comment.