Police pay comparison calculator
what you'd earn in every force

Choose a career stage: recruit in training, first-year constable, the top of senior constable, the top of sergeant, or entry to inspector. The calculator lines up the figure each force publishes for that stage, works out the fortnightly take-home on 2026-27 tax rates, and shows the employer super rate. Enter your own salary to see the gap to each force in dollars.

1. 1

   Headline figures from each agreement

   Sourced

   Every figure comes from the force's award, enterprise agreement or official recruiting page, recorded in our data files with the date we read it.

2. 2

   Status flags

   Honest

   'calc' means we calculated the figure from the agreement's rule, such as Queensland's recruit training pay. 'unconfirmed' means it comes from a secondary source.

3. 3

   Take-home on national tax rules

   ATO

   2026-27 resident tax, the Low Income Tax Offset and Medicare, no HELP or deductions.

4. 4

   Optional super in the bar

   Toggle

   Tick the box to add employer super to the bar length. Where super is a defined benefit or not confirmed, the bar uses the 12% minimum.

NSW Police

Recruit in training

Not published

First-year constable

$92,576

Senior constable (top)

$139,688

Sergeant (top)

$157,203

Inspector (entry)

$178,719

Victoria Police

Recruit in training

$61,187

First-year constable

$84,060

Senior constable (top)

$118,945

Sergeant (top)

$149,358

Inspector (entry)

$170,644

QPS

Recruit in training

$59,728 ^calc

First-year constable

$78,505

Senior constable (top)

$118,127

Sergeant (top)

$133,671

Inspector (entry)

$179,870

WA Police

Recruit in training

$74,309

First-year constable

$94,651

Senior constable (top)

$124,558

Sergeant (top)

$135,005

Inspector (entry)

$173,361

SAPOL

Recruit in training

$71,872

First-year constable

$83,398

Senior constable (top)

$117,542

Sergeant (top)

$135,363

Inspector (entry)

$168,670

Tasmania Police

Recruit in training

$61,801

First-year constable

$73,518

Senior constable (top)

$107,420

Sergeant (top)

$125,625

Inspector (entry)

$170,026

NT Police

Recruit in training

$74,619

First-year constable

$87,005

Senior constable (top)

$120,539 ^calc

Sergeant (top)

$139,008 ^calc

Inspector (entry)

Not published

AFP

Recruit in training

$69,698

First-year constable

$72,317

Senior constable (top)

$111,861 ^calc

Sergeant (top)

$132,185 ^calc

Inspector (entry)

Not published

Force	Recruit in training	First-year constable	Senior constable (top)	Sergeant (top)	Inspector (entry)
NSW Police	Not published	$92,576	$139,688	$157,203	$178,719
Victoria Police	$61,187	$84,060	$118,945	$149,358	$170,644
QPS	$59,728 calc	$78,505	$118,127	$133,671	$179,870
WA Police	$74,309	$94,651	$124,558	$135,005	$173,361
SAPOL	$71,872	$83,398	$117,542	$135,363	$168,670
Tasmania Police	$61,801	$73,518	$107,420	$125,625	$170,026
NT Police	$74,619	$87,005	$120,539 calc	$139,008 calc	Not published
AFP	$69,698	$72,317	$111,861 calc	$132,185 calc	Not published

Figures as each force or agreement states them, and they include different things (see the next section). Tasmania has no Senior Constable rank, so that column shows its top Constable level. NT senior ranks are estimated by us from the 2022 agreement.

Read across a row and you see one force's career ladder. Read down a column and you see the market for one stage. At recruit level the models differ most: some forces pay a full salary at the academy, while NSW pays no annual recruit salary at all.

For the detail behind any force's numbers, including every increment, see the salary pages: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and the AFP.

NSW Police

First-year headline

$92,576

What the figure includes

Probationary Constable (Level 1) from 1 Jul 2026 including the 11.5% loading paid as salary; base $83,028.

Victoria Police

First-year headline

$84,060

What the figure includes

Constable point 1 (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jun 2026: Schedule A ordinary rate, which already includes the 13% commuted penalty. Excludes the Operational Readiness, General Duties, capability, wellbeing and retention allowances.

QPS

First-year headline

$78,505

What the figure includes

Constable 1.1 base from 1 Jul 2026 (official QPS CUA schedule). About $94,991 with the 21% OSA. The recruiting site's $92,226 is the pre-uplift 2025 base ($76,220) plus 21% OSA.

WA Police

First-year headline

$94,651

What the figure includes

Constable 1st year of service (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jul 2026: base salary; shift allowances are paid on top as flat dollar amounts per shift.

SAPOL

First-year headline

$83,398

What the figure includes

Probationary Constable from 1 Jan 2026: base salary plus super; shift allowances are paid on top.

Tasmania Police

First-year headline

$73,518

What the figure includes

Constable Level 1 base from FFPPOOA 1 Dec 2025. At a 24-hour station with the 28% shift and penalty allowance this is $94,103 a year (our calculation: $73,518 x 1.28). Some secondary sources quote $94,109; do not use that figure.

NT Police

First-year headline

$87,005

What the figure includes

Constable 1 (graduation to end of 12 months) base as published by NTPFES; $111,366 including the 23% Consolidated Allowance and 5% GPA.

AFP

First-year headline

$72,317

What the figure includes

Band 2.4 base from 9 Dec 2025 for a newly sworn (probationary) constable, national or ACT. Advertised package $91,726.74 = base + 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance.

Force	First-year headline	What the figure includes
NSW Police	$92,576	Probationary Constable (Level 1) from 1 Jul 2026 including the 11.5% loading paid as salary; base $83,028.
Victoria Police	$84,060	Constable point 1 (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jun 2026: Schedule A ordinary rate, which already includes the 13% commuted penalty. Excludes the Operational Readiness, General Duties, capability, wellbeing and retention allowances.
QPS	$78,505	Constable 1.1 base from 1 Jul 2026 (official QPS CUA schedule). About $94,991 with the 21% OSA. The recruiting site's $92,226 is the pre-uplift 2025 base ($76,220) plus 21% OSA.
WA Police	$94,651	Constable 1st year of service (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jul 2026: base salary; shift allowances are paid on top as flat dollar amounts per shift.
SAPOL	$83,398	Probationary Constable from 1 Jan 2026: base salary plus super; shift allowances are paid on top.
Tasmania Police	$73,518	Constable Level 1 base from FFPPOOA 1 Dec 2025. At a 24-hour station with the 28% shift and penalty allowance this is $94,103 a year (our calculation: $73,518 x 1.28). Some secondary sources quote $94,109; do not use that figure.
NT Police	$87,005	Constable 1 (graduation to end of 12 months) base as published by NTPFES; $111,366 including the 23% Consolidated Allowance and 5% GPA.
AFP	$72,317	Band 2.4 base from 9 Dec 2025 for a newly sworn (probationary) constable, national or ACT. Advertised package $91,726.74 = base + 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance.

Two patterns stand out. NSW and Victoria pay for shift and weekend work through salary itself: NSW through the 11.5% loading paid to non-commissioned officers, Victoria through a 13% commuted penalty built into the rates. Their headline figures already include that money.

Queensland, SA, Tasmania, the NT and the AFP pay a lower base and add a roster allowance or composite when you're on an operational roster. Their headline figures usually leave it out. WA pays a flat amount for each night shift instead. Comparing a NSW figure with a Queensland base is comparing a package with a base.

Comparing a loaded salary with a base salary is the most common mistake in police pay comparisons.

NT Police

First-year headline

$87,005

Usual roster allowance

+23% Consolidated Allowance and +5% General Policing Allowance

Total, calculated by us

$111,366

Take-home per fortnight

$3,277

SAPOL

First-year headline

$83,398

Usual roster allowance

+23% metro response roster allowance

Total, calculated by us

$102,580

Take-home per fortnight

$3,047

QPS

First-year headline

$78,505

Usual roster allowance

+21% Operational Shift Allowance

Total, calculated by us

$94,991

Take-home per fortnight

$2,849

WA Police

First-year headline

$94,651

Usual roster allowance

Night shifts paid per shift ($126.56 each)

Total, calculated by us

$94,651

Take-home per fortnight

$2,840

Tasmania Police

First-year headline

$73,518

Usual roster allowance

+28% 24-hour rotational roster allowance

Total, calculated by us

$94,103

Take-home per fortnight

$2,826

NSW Police

First-year headline

$92,576

Usual roster allowance

11.5% loading already in the figure

Total, calculated by us

$92,576

Take-home per fortnight

$2,786

AFP

First-year headline

$72,317

Usual roster allowance

+22% rostered composite (plus a $3,500 Use of Force allowance for new constables)

Total, calculated by us

$88,227

Take-home per fortnight

$2,672

Victoria Police

First-year headline

$84,060

Usual roster allowance

13% penalty component already in the figure

Total, calculated by us

$84,060

Take-home per fortnight

$2,563

Force	First-year headline	Usual roster allowance	Total, calculated by us	Take-home per fortnight
NT Police	$87,005	+23% Consolidated Allowance and +5% General Policing Allowance	$111,366	$3,277
SAPOL	$83,398	+23% metro response roster allowance	$102,580	$3,047
QPS	$78,505	+21% Operational Shift Allowance	$94,991	$2,849
WA Police	$94,651	Night shifts paid per shift ($126.56 each)	$94,651	$2,840
Tasmania Police	$73,518	+28% 24-hour rotational roster allowance	$94,103	$2,826
NSW Police	$92,576	11.5% loading already in the figure	$92,576	$2,786
AFP	$72,317	+22% rostered composite (plus a $3,500 Use of Force allowance for new constables)	$88,227	$2,672
Victoria Police	$84,060	13% penalty component already in the figure	$84,060	$2,563

Calculated by us: headline first-year figure plus the percentage roster allowance where it applies. Allowances depend on your posting and roster; not every first-year constable gets them. WA night shift payments, the AFP's $3,500 Use of Force allowance and any overtime are excluded.

On this basis NT Police comes out highest at about $111,366, and Victoria Police lowest at about $84,060. The order changes sharply from the headline table: forces with lower base salaries and large roster allowances, such as the NT, SA, Tasmania and the AFP, move up, while Victoria's figure already includes its penalty component and has nothing to add.

Income tax is set nationally, so it treats every officer the same at the same income. Because most constables earn between $45,000 and $135,000, each extra dollar of gross pay is taxed at 32% including Medicare. A $10,000 gross pay gap between two forces becomes a take-home gap of roughly $6,800.

Above $135,000, the marginal rate rises to 39%, so the gap narrows further at senior ranks. This doesn't make a higher salary worthless. It just means a move driven only by gross pay may deliver less than it seems. Model your exact fortnight, including your roster and overtime, in the take-home pay calculator.

NSW Police

Employer rate

12%

Per year at top senior constable

$16,763

Scheme notes

12% employer contribution for officers in accumulation super (reported; the pre-1988 and SASS schemes differ). Officers also pay 1.8% of salary towards the death and disability scheme.

Victoria Police

Employer rate

See note

Per year at top senior constable

Defined benefit or not confirmed

Scheme notes

Police and PSOs are in the ESSS Police Superannuation defined benefit scheme, so the benefit depends on years of service and salary rather than a % contribution.

QPS

Employer rate

18%

Per year at top senior constable

$21,263

Scheme notes

Queensland police receive 18% employer super with no compulsory member contribution.

WA Police

Employer rate

12%

Per year at top senior constable

$14,947

Scheme notes

WA Police contributes 12% (the Superannuation Guarantee), and shift loadings attract super. GESB is the default fund unless you choose another.

SAPOL

Employer rate

See note

Per year at top senior constable

Defined benefit or not confirmed

Scheme notes

SA officers receive at least the 12% Superannuation Guarantee through Super SA; older members may be in the closed Police Superannuation Scheme.

Tasmania Police

Employer rate

12%

Per year at top senior constable

$12,890

Scheme notes

Tasmania pays the 12% Superannuation Guarantee into your chosen fund; the default fund is CareSuper (Tasmanian Treasury, April 2026). The old state defined benefit scheme closed in 1999.

NT Police

Employer rate

See note

Per year at top senior constable

Defined benefit or not confirmed

Scheme notes

NT officers receive at least the 12% Superannuation Guarantee; super for new recruits isn't confirmed.

AFP

Employer rate

15.4%

Per year at top senior constable

$17,227

Scheme notes

AFP employees receive 15.4% employer super (PSSap or their chosen fund).

Force	Employer rate	Per year at top senior constable	Scheme notes
NSW Police	12%	$16,763	12% employer contribution for officers in accumulation super (reported; the pre-1988 and SASS schemes differ). Officers also pay 1.8% of salary towards the death and disability scheme.
Victoria Police	See note	Defined benefit or not confirmed	Police and PSOs are in the ESSS Police Superannuation defined benefit scheme, so the benefit depends on years of service and salary rather than a % contribution.
QPS	18%	$21,263	Queensland police receive 18% employer super with no compulsory member contribution.
WA Police	12%	$14,947	WA Police contributes 12% (the Superannuation Guarantee), and shift loadings attract super. GESB is the default fund unless you choose another.
SAPOL	See note	Defined benefit or not confirmed	SA officers receive at least the 12% Superannuation Guarantee through Super SA; older members may be in the closed Police Superannuation Scheme.
Tasmania Police	12%	$12,890	Tasmania pays the 12% Superannuation Guarantee into your chosen fund; the default fund is CareSuper (Tasmanian Treasury, April 2026). The old state defined benefit scheme closed in 1999.
NT Police	See note	Defined benefit or not confirmed	NT officers receive at least the 12% Superannuation Guarantee; super for new recruits isn't confirmed.
AFP	15.4%	$17,227	AFP employees receive 15.4% employer super (PSSap or their chosen fund).

Per-year figure = employer rate × the force's top senior constable headline salary. What counts as super salary differs between schemes, so treat this as a guide.

Queensland's 18% employer contribution is worth about $7,088 a year more than the 12% minimum at the top of senior constable, with no compulsory member contribution. The AFP pays 15.4%. Over a 30-year career, with investment returns, a gap of that size compounds into a very large difference at retirement.

Victoria is different again. Operational police and PSOs are in the ESSS defined benefit fund, where your lump sum is a multiple of your final average salary, built up by years of service and your own contribution rate. You can't compare it with a percentage, and leaving the scheme affects what you get. The police super calculator projects accumulation balances for each force.

A senior constable at the top of the NSW scale earns $139,688 including the 11.5% loading. A Queensland senior constable at the top increment earns $118,127 base (QPS's official CPI-uplifted rate), plus the 21% Operational Shift Allowance on a shift roster.

Salary

NSW

$139,688

Queensland (with OSA)

$142,934 ($118,127 + 21%)

Take-home a year

NSW

$104,140

Queensland (with OSA)

$106,120

Take-home per fortnight

NSW

$4,005

Queensland (with OSA)

$4,082

Employer super

NSW

$16,763 (12%)

Queensland (with OSA)

$21,263 (18% of base)

Overtime

NSW

1.5× for 2 hours, then 2×, excl. loading

Queensland (with OSA)

2× for operational NCOs

	NSW	Queensland (with OSA)
Salary	$139,688	$142,934 ($118,127 + 21%)
Take-home a year	$104,140	$106,120
Take-home per fortnight	$4,005	$4,082
Employer super	$16,763 (12%)	$21,263 (18% of base)
Overtime	1.5× for 2 hours, then 2×, excl. loading	2× for operational NCOs

On these assumptions the Queensland officer takes home $76 a fortnight more, and receives about $4,500 a year more in employer super. But the move only works if Queensland recognises your rank and service, and if you'd be in an OSA position. Those depend on the force's lateral entry rules, below.

There's no national police transfer scheme. Each force is a separate employer under its own legislation and agreement, so moving means resigning from one and being appointed by the other. Most forces have a shortened pathway for serving officers, but you'll still go through checks, a course and usually a probation period.

Leave is the item people forget. Long service leave in particular is set by state law and each agreement, and service with another force may or may not count. Ask the new force in writing how your previous service will be treated for leave, increments and super before you resign. Our guide to transferring interstate walks through the process.

NSW Police Force

The Professional Mobility Program is open to serving police from any Australian or New Zealand jurisdiction, generally after a year full-time following probation. It's a 12-week paid program at Goulburn, recognises existing rank up to Senior Constable, and includes help with relocation costs. It has its own fitness standard, including beep test level 7.1.

Victoria Police

Victoria has no lateral transfer between Australian police services. Operational police from Australia, New Zealand and the UK can have prior service recognised, but go through the entrance exam (exemptions possible), background, medical, psychological and panel stages, then a skills-gap analysis. Course length and starting increment aren't published.

Queensland Police Service

Serving or recent Australian and New Zealand officers use a separate pathway that looks at length of service, reason for leaving, conduct history, rank, frontline skills and time since leaving. Starting rank and pay point are set by Service policy. The QPS recruiting site says prior experience can lift first-year constable pay to up to $130,000.

WA Police Force

Interstate and New Zealand officers do a 13-week transitional course at Joondalup and serve 6 months' probation, with recruitment taking up to about four months. The agreement gives the Commissioner absolute discretion on Academy exemption, probation reduction and the rank and salary for experienced officers.

South Australia Police

Australian officers with at least 3 years' continuous active service in the last 5 do a 15-week transition course, can get up to $10,000 in relocation reimbursement, and have 100% of prior service recognised up to 7 years for probation and Constable increments. They're paid as a Probationary Constable during probation. Former Sergeants and above can be appointed Senior Constable Increment 1 after probation.

Tasmania Police

The 12-week Accelerated Training Program is for sworn officers with at least 2 years' post-probation service in Australia or New Zealand who left less than 4 years ago. Rank doesn't transfer, but pay reflects up to 12 years' experience. With 5 years' experience, for example, you'd be paid Constable Level 3 ($78,426) in training, Level 4 ($80,875) on probation and Level 5 ($83,326) after. The next intake is anticipated in early to mid 2027.

NT Police

The Accelerated Recruitment Program is for current or recent Australian and New Zealand police with a Diploma of Policing or equivalent and at least 2 years at Constable or above. Pay is set at the increment for your completed years, capped at 10+ years: 3 completed years puts you on Constable 4 ($92,330 base). Probation is 12 months including training, with at least a year in General Duties.

AFP and ACT Policing

The AFP's Skilled Police Program is closed with no date for the next intake. Under the enterprise agreement, policing experience with other forces counts towards Band 5, and the Commissioner may set a higher starting pay point based on experience. A reported ACT lateral program's register of interest now says the position is filled.

A higher salary can be swallowed by the cost of getting there. Only some forces publish relocation help: SA reimburses up to $10,000 for interstate and New Zealand officers, and NSW's program includes help with relocation costs. WA's relocation amounts aren't published. Assume you'll pay most costs yourself unless the force confirms otherwise in writing.

The training period is the easiest cost to miss. In Tasmania, for example, you're paid two bands below your experience during training and one below on probation. In SA you're paid as a Probationary Constable during probation. In the NT and at the AFP, the roster allowances aren't paid during training, so your first months may pay well under the figure in the comparison.

Write down your own numbers: current rank, years of service, roster, overtime and super. Run them through the comparison here and then the take-home calculator for the force you're considering, assuming the pay point they'd actually offer you. If the gain only exists with maximum overtime and every allowance, it may not survive the first year.

Finally, talk to people in the force you're looking at, and to your current association. They'll tell you about workload, postings and how lateral recruits are treated, which no pay table can show.