Frederick Ronald "Fred" Birrell (7 December 1913 – 23 July 1985) was an Australian politician. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he was educated at state schools before becoming an auto worker. He served in the military from 1940 to 1946. From 1959 to 1963 he was the South Australian Secretary of the Vehicle Builders' Union, becoming its federal president 1961-1962. In 1958 he was president of the South Australian Trades and Labor Council.