NT Police 2026: Pay, Housing, Joining and ACPOs

What is the NT Police, and how is it organised?

A Territory-wide force policing big distances, remote communities and fast-growing towns.

The Northern Territory Police Force sits within NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES), which describes itself as Australia's only tri-service public safety organisation. NTPFES also refers to a tri-services transition, so the wider structure is changing. The Commissioner of Police is Martin Dole, acting from March 2025 and appointed for a four-year term in late 2025.

When you join, you agree to be posted anywhere in the Territory, based on organisational need rather than preference. That's the deal at the heart of NT policing: remote and regional service early in your career, rewarded with housing, allowances, extra leave and, under the 2022 agreement, a posting of choice in Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs after two years' service elsewhere.

Constable 1 base

$87,005

NTPFES-published

With CA and GPA

$111,366

once posted

Housing allowance

$33,184

or free housing

2025 deal vote

92% yes

turnout above 61%

Pay is set by the Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2025, filed with the Police Arbitral Tribunal on 12 November 2025 after members voted 92% in favour. It gives 5%, 4%, 3% and 3% over four years, with CPI instead in year four if inflation is above 3%.

Read this before you rely on a number

The 2025 agreement itself isn't public: the association's copy is members-only and the government pages we tried were blocked. So we use rates NTPFES publishes on its recruiting pages (marked as confirmed) and, for other ranks, estimates calculated by us from the 2022 agreement plus the agreed rises (marked ^calc). Our method reproduces every published NTPFES figure to the dollar, but estimates aren't official.

How much does NT Police pay in 2026?

Base salary plus a 23% Consolidated Allowance once you're posted, and 5% more in general policing roles.

2025 Consent Agreement year 2 (+4%), from about Aug 2026 (date inferred). Verified points are NTPFES-published rates; the rest are estimated by us

Recruit Constable

Pay point: In training (first 4 months)
Base salary: $74,619

Recruit Constable

Pay point: After 4 months to graduation
Base salary: $79,095

Constable

Pay point: Constable 1 (graduation to end of 12 months)
Base salary: $87,005
Package (base + 23% CA + 5% GPA): $111,366

Constable

Pay point: Constable 2 (probationer to 24 months)
Base salary: $88,744 ^calc

Constable

Pay point: Constable 3
Base salary: $90,520
Package (base + 23% CA + 5% GPA): $115,865

Constable

Pay point: Constable 4
Base salary: $92,330

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 5
Base salary: $94,175

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 6
Base salary: $96,059

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 7
Base salary: $97,980

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 8
Base salary: $99,942

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 9
Base salary: $101,939

Constable First Class

Pay point: Constable 1/C 10
Base salary: $103,977
Package (base + 23% CA + 5% GPA): $133,090

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 1
Base salary: $109,176 ^calc

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 2
Base salary: $111,359 ^calc

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 3
Base salary: $113,587 ^calc

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 4
Base salary: $115,857 ^calc

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 5
Base salary: $118,176 ^calc

Senior Constable

Pay point: Senior Constable 6
Base salary: $120,539 ^calc

Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)

Pay point: Senior Constable 1/C 1
Base salary: $124,757 ^calc

Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)

Pay point: Senior Constable 1/C 2
Base salary: $126,628 ^calc

Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)

Pay point: Senior Constable 1/C 3
Base salary: $128,529 ^calc

Sergeant

Pay point: Sergeant 1
Base salary: $130,457 ^calc

Sergeant

Pay point: Sergeant 2
Base salary: $132,546 ^calc

Sergeant

Pay point: Sergeant 3
Base salary: $134,665 ^calc

Sergeant

Pay point: Sergeant 4
Base salary: $136,820 ^calc

Sergeant

Pay point: Sergeant 5
Base salary: $139,008 ^calc

Senior Sergeant

Pay point: Senior Sergeant 1
Base salary: $143,876 ^calc

Senior Sergeant

Pay point: Senior Sergeant 2
Base salary: $146,320 ^calc

Senior Sergeant

Pay point: Senior Sergeant 3
Base salary: $148,809 ^calc

Senior Sergeant

Pay point: Senior Sergeant 4
Base salary: $151,337 ^calc

Superintendent

Pay point: Superintendent 2
Base salary: $205,892 ^calc

Superintendent

Pay point: Superintendent 3
Base salary: $210,422 ^calc

Superintendent

Pay point: Superintendent 4
Base salary: $215,052 ^calc

Rank	Pay point	Base salary	Package (base + 23% CA + 5% GPA)
Recruit Constable	In training (first 4 months)	$74,619	–
Recruit Constable	After 4 months to graduation	$79,095	–
Constable	Constable 1 (graduation to end of 12 months)	$87,005	$111,366
Constable	Constable 2 (probationer to 24 months)	$88,744 ^calc	–
Constable	Constable 3	$90,520	$115,865
Constable	Constable 4	$92,330	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 5	$94,175	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 6	$96,059	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 7	$97,980	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 8	$99,942	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 9	$101,939	–
Constable First Class	Constable 1/C 10	$103,977	$133,090
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 1	$109,176 ^calc	–
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 2	$111,359 ^calc	–
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 3	$113,587 ^calc	–
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 4	$115,857 ^calc	–
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 5	$118,176 ^calc	–
Senior Constable	Senior Constable 6	$120,539 ^calc	–
Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)	Senior Constable 1/C 1	$124,757 ^calc	–
Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)	Senior Constable 1/C 2	$126,628 ^calc	–
Senior Constable First Class (preserved rank)	Senior Constable 1/C 3	$128,529 ^calc	–
Sergeant	Sergeant 1	$130,457 ^calc	–
Sergeant	Sergeant 2	$132,546 ^calc	–
Sergeant	Sergeant 3	$134,665 ^calc	–
Sergeant	Sergeant 4	$136,820 ^calc	–
Sergeant	Sergeant 5	$139,008 ^calc	–
Senior Sergeant	Senior Sergeant 1	$143,876 ^calc	–
Senior Sergeant	Senior Sergeant 2	$146,320 ^calc	–
Senior Sergeant	Senior Sergeant 3	$148,809 ^calc	–
Senior Sergeant	Senior Sergeant 4	$151,337 ^calc	–
Superintendent	Superintendent 2	$205,892 ^calc	–
Superintendent	Superintendent 3	$210,422 ^calc	–
Superintendent	Superintendent 4	$215,052 ^calc	–

Unmarked figures are published by NTPFES. Figures marked calc are our estimates: the 30 June 2024 rate in the 2022 agreement × 1.05 × 1.04, rounded at each step. Package figures are shown only where NTPFES publishes one. The Consolidated Allowance and GPA aren't paid during training. Superintendents appear only in the 2022 agreement's 'six weeks leave' table.

Recruits are paid $74,619 for the first four months of training and $79,095 from then until graduation. As a Constable 1 you earn $87,005 base; add the 23% Consolidated Allowance and 5% General Policing Allowance and NTPFES's package figure is $111,366 (our check: $87,005 × 1.28 = $111,366).

NT pay points are labelled by years: Constable 1 to 4, then Constable First Class from year 5 (with four completed years and current operational safety training) through to the 10th-year point. The 2022 agreement also contains a higher-paying "six weeks leave" table alongside the standard "seven weeks leave" table; how a member ends up on one or the other isn't confirmed. See NT police salary for the full detail.

Remaining rises and payments under the 2025 agreement

7 August 2027

Change: Year three of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3% increase, expected from the first pay period on or after about 7 August 2027 (date inferred from the 7 Aug 2025 start and annual steps).

7 August 2028

Change: Year four of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3%, or CPI if CPI exceeds 3% in year four, from about August 2028 (date inferred).

31 December 2028

Change: Reported $6,500 retention incentive payment in year four for members with 4+ years' continuous service by 31 Dec 2028 (pro-rata $1,625-$4,875 for 1-3 years). Reported in an OCPE fact sheet only; not confirmed in the final agreement.

Expected from	Change
7 August 2027	Year three of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3% increase, expected from the first pay period on or after about 7 August 2027 (date inferred from the 7 Aug 2025 start and annual steps).
7 August 2028	Year four of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3%, or CPI if CPI exceeds 3% in year four, from about August 2028 (date inferred).
31 December 2028	Reported $6,500 retention incentive payment in year four for members with 4+ years' continuous service by 31 Dec 2028 (pro-rata $1,625-$4,875 for 1-3 years). Reported in an OCPE fact sheet only; not confirmed in the final agreement.

Dates are inferred from the agreement's reported 7 August 2025 start. The $6,500 retention payment comes from a search summary of a government fact sheet and isn't confirmed in the final agreement.

The Consolidated Allowance, GPA, night shift and overtime

NT pay is built in layers. Knowing which layer applies to you is the key to your real income.

1

Base salary
Everyone

Set by rank and years of service. Paid from day one of training.
2

Consolidated Allowance: 23%
Once posted

Paid to operational members from the start of duties at their posting, not during training. It rose from 20% to 23% in the 2022 agreement. Our reading is that it compensates for shift and weekend work instead of separate penalty rates.
3

General Policing Allowance: 5%
General duties

For Senior Sergeant and below in gazetted general policing positions with current operational safety training. Higher at isolated localities (see the next section).
4

Night shift: 15%
Per night shift

15% of base (as an hourly equivalent) for each night shift actually worked, Senior Sergeant and below. Not paid when the night shift is overtime.
5

Overtime
When directed

Under the 2022 agreement: time and a half on weekdays, double time on weekends, double time and a half on public holidays. The association says the 2025 agreement improved overtime, but the details aren't public.

Other allowances (Consent Agreement 2022)

Night Shift Allowance

Amount: 15% of base salary (hourly equivalent) for each night shift worked
Who gets it: Senior Sergeant and below; not recruits in training

Roster change penalty

Amount: 20% for the entire newly rostered shift
Who gets it: When a shift is changed without consent and with less than 72 hours' notice. An RDO worked without 72 hours' notice is paid at the overtime rate instead.

On-Call Allowance

Amount: 5% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Sergeant (7 weeks leave table) per hour; 7.5% on an RDO or if on call more than 7 days in 14; minimum 8 hours
Who gets it: Designated units or with Commissioner approval; ranks above Senior Sergeant not eligible without approval

Stand-By Allowance

Amount: 50% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable (7 weeks leave table), maximum 8 hours in 24
Who gets it: Members directed to remain at a place ready for immediate recall

Detectives Allowance

Amount: 5% of base salary
Who gets it: Designated detectives, Senior Sergeant and below

Tactical Operators Allowance (TRG)

Amount: 5% of top Senior Constable First Class salary (7 weeks leave table) a year
Who gets it: Territory Response Group members, Senior Sergeant and below

Dog Handlers Allowance

Amount: 12% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable
Who gets it: Gazetted dog handler positions

School Based Policing Allowance

Amount: 5% of salary
Who gets it: Auxiliaries and Constables in designated school based policing positions

Plain clothes allowance

Amount: $2,305 a year (as at CA 2022 certification)
Who gets it: CPI-indexed; figure outdated.

Higher Duties Allowance

Amount: Difference to the higher rank's increment
Who gets it: When acting for 40+ hours in a consecutive shift sequence.

Allowance	Amount	Who gets it
Night Shift Allowance	15% of base salary (hourly equivalent) for each night shift worked	Senior Sergeant and below; not recruits in training
Roster change penalty	20% for the entire newly rostered shift	When a shift is changed without consent and with less than 72 hours' notice. An RDO worked without 72 hours' notice is paid at the overtime rate instead.
On-Call Allowance	5% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Sergeant (7 weeks leave table) per hour; 7.5% on an RDO or if on call more than 7 days in 14; minimum 8 hours	Designated units or with Commissioner approval; ranks above Senior Sergeant not eligible without approval
Stand-By Allowance	50% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable (7 weeks leave table), maximum 8 hours in 24	Members directed to remain at a place ready for immediate recall
Detectives Allowance	5% of base salary	Designated detectives, Senior Sergeant and below
Tactical Operators Allowance (TRG)	5% of top Senior Constable First Class salary (7 weeks leave table) a year	Territory Response Group members, Senior Sergeant and below
Dog Handlers Allowance	12% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable	Gazetted dog handler positions
School Based Policing Allowance	5% of salary	Auxiliaries and Constables in designated school based policing positions
Plain clothes allowance	$2,305 a year (as at CA 2022 certification)	CPI-indexed; figure outdated.
Higher Duties Allowance	Difference to the higher rank's increment	When acting for 40+ hours in a consecutive shift sequence.

Dollar amounts are 2022 figures that are CPI-indexed each January, so current values are higher.

Recall to duty without notice pays double time with a two-hour minimum, and pre-notified overtime that isn't continuous with a shift has a four-hour minimum. If your shift is changed without consent on less than 72 hours' notice, you get a 20% penalty for the whole new shift.

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Housing and remote incentives

Housing is the NT's biggest selling point, and remote stations add allowances, extra leave and paid flights out.

Constables and ACPOs are offered barracks or free departmental housing. If you provide your own accommodation, renting or buying, you get a housing allowance of $33,184 a year, paid fortnightly and taxable, reviewed with CPI (it was $28,544.47 in July 2022). New recruits can also claim up to $20,000 in relocation costs, by reimbursement.

Worked example: a first-year constable who rents in Darwin

Package only

$3,277

per fortnight after tax, on $111,366

Package + housing allowance

$4,119

per fortnight after tax, on $144,550

Housing allowance after tax

$842

extra each fortnight

These are our calculations under 2026-27 tax with no overtime, night shifts or HELP debt. Because the housing allowance is taxable and sits on top of your package, much of it is taxed at 30% plus Medicare, and some of it in the 37% bracket.

Housing, isolated-locality and remote incentives

GPA at isolated localities (permanently stationed)

Amount: Group A 12%; Group B 12%; Tennant Creek 5% (replaces the standard 5%) ^unconfirmed
Who gets it: Members qualified under cl.17 permanently stationed at a listed isolated locality

GPA at isolated localities (temporary)

Amount: Group A 9%; Group B 12%; Tennant Creek 5%
Who gets it: Members temporarily stationed at an isolated locality

Special Location Allowance: Tennant Creek

Amount: 7% of base salary
Who gets it: Senior Sergeant and below at Tennant Creek; Superintendents at any isolated location

Consolidated Remote Incentive Allowance (CRIA)

Amount: Years 1/2/3: Special Category 5/5/5%; Group A 5/5/5%; Group B 6/12/12%; Tennant Creek 11/18/18%
Who gets it: Members at isolated policing locations (Jabiru, Adelaide River and Batchelor are Special Category)

Barge freight component

Amount: $500 a year single / $1,000 a year with dependants (reimbursement)
Who gets it: Barge-serviced locations (Alyangula, Galiwinku, Lake Evella, Maningrida, Nhulunbuy, Pirlangimpi, Ramingining, Wadeye, Wurrumiyanga, Milikapiti)

Housing allowance

Amount: $33,184 a year (taxable, paid fortnightly)
Who gets it: Constables and ACPOs who provide their own accommodation (renting or buying) instead of barracks or free departmental housing

PPSO housing allowance (Katherine, Alice Springs)

Amount: $15,923.48 a year
Who gets it: PPSOs in Katherine and Alice Springs

Free electricity, 2 gas bottles a year and annual pest control

Amount: Provided in kind
Who gets it: Members permanently stationed in isolated localities in agency dwellings

Fares Out of Isolated Localities (FOILS)

Amount: Economy airfare from the isolated locality to a prescribed destination (or vehicle allowance)
Who gets it: Superintendent and below, including ACPOs, gazetted at isolated stations

Incentive	Amount	Who gets it
GPA at isolated localities (permanently stationed)	Group A 12%; Group B 12%; Tennant Creek 5% (replaces the standard 5%) ^unconfirmed	Members qualified under cl.17 permanently stationed at a listed isolated locality
GPA at isolated localities (temporary)	Group A 9%; Group B 12%; Tennant Creek 5%	Members temporarily stationed at an isolated locality
Special Location Allowance: Tennant Creek	7% of base salary	Senior Sergeant and below at Tennant Creek; Superintendents at any isolated location
Consolidated Remote Incentive Allowance (CRIA)	Years 1/2/3: Special Category 5/5/5%; Group A 5/5/5%; Group B 6/12/12%; Tennant Creek 11/18/18%	Members at isolated policing locations (Jabiru, Adelaide River and Batchelor are Special Category)
Barge freight component	$500 a year single / $1,000 a year with dependants (reimbursement)	Barge-serviced locations (Alyangula, Galiwinku, Lake Evella, Maningrida, Nhulunbuy, Pirlangimpi, Ramingining, Wadeye, Wurrumiyanga, Milikapiti)
Housing allowance	$33,184 a year (taxable, paid fortnightly)	Constables and ACPOs who provide their own accommodation (renting or buying) instead of barracks or free departmental housing
PPSO housing allowance (Katherine, Alice Springs)	$15,923.48 a year	PPSOs in Katherine and Alice Springs
Free electricity, 2 gas bottles a year and annual pest control	Provided in kind	Members permanently stationed in isolated localities in agency dwellings
Fares Out of Isolated Localities (FOILS)	Economy airfare from the isolated locality to a prescribed destination (or vehicle allowance)	Superintendent and below, including ACPOs, gazetted at isolated stations

CRIA and isolated GPA figures are from the 2022 agreement; the scanned copy is garbled in places and was cross-checked against the 2019 agreement. Whether the 2025 agreement changed them isn't known.

Isolated localities also earn extra recreation leave: in Group A and Tennant Creek, an extra week at 24 months and again at 36 months and each year after; in Group B, an extra week for every 12 months; and in Katherine, an extra week after three years. PPSOs in Katherine and Alice Springs get a separate housing allowance of $15,923. Compare the NT's package with other forces in remote and rural policing incentives.

Free housing or a housing allowance worth roughly a third of a first-year salary: few forces come close.

Can you join NT Police? Eligibility and selection

No upper age limit, no visa sponsorship, and a promise to go wherever the Territory needs you.

Eligibility (Constable)

✓ At least 18 at commencement of training; no upper age limit.
✓ Australian citizen, permanent resident, NZ citizen, or NZ citizen on a Special Category Visa; NTPF does not sponsor visas.
✓ Year 12 (or equivalent), or a completed trade certificate, or considerable employment experience and life skills.
✓ Current provisional or open driver licence to drive a manual vehicle.
✓ Able to swim 100m without interruption (forward-facing stroke: breaststroke, freestyle or butterfly).
✓ Qualification equivalent to Provide First Aid.
✓ General computing skills; physically fit and healthy; good character.
✓ Must accept posting anywhere in the NT; postings are set by organisational need, not choice.
✓ Full disclosure of criminal, traffic, juvenile, DVO and bankruptcy history; non-disclosure is likely to mean permanent exclusion.

1

Online application

Apply online through NTPFES.
2

Suitability background checks

Criminal and traffic history checks. Declared matters may go to an Integrity Committee.
3

Cognitive assessment

Computer-based cognitive and psychological testing.
4

Fitness assessment

Push-ups, plank, farmer's carry, beep test and 100m swim (see fitness standards).
5

Panel interview

Panel interview.
6

Referee checks

Referee checks.
7

Pre-employment medical

Against NTPF police medical standards: some conditions are disqualifying, others assessed case by case; corrected vision within parameters is acceptable; colour blindness assessed case by case.
8

Probity checks

Final probity checks.

Full disclosure matters more than a clean record: declared matters may go to an Integrity Committee, but non-disclosure is likely to mean permanent exclusion. The panel interview format isn't described in detail, so prepare broadly with our NT Police interview guide, and follow every step in how to become a police officer in the NT.

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The fitness assessment and cognitive testing

NTPF fitness assessment

Push-ups

Standard: 10 at a 2-second cadence

Prone bridge (plank)

Standard: 90 seconds

Farmer's carry

Standard: 20kg in each hand, 5 x 20m (100m total)
Detail: Walking pace; weights down for a maximum of 5 seconds at each turn.

Beep test (20m multi-stage fitness test)

Standard: Level 6.1

Swim

Standard: 100m forward stroke without touching the bottom or sides
Detail: Constable and ARP applicants only.

Test	Standard	Detail
Push-ups	10 at a 2-second cadence
Prone bridge (plank)	90 seconds
Farmer's carry	20kg in each hand, 5 x 20m (100m total)	Walking pace; weights down for a maximum of 5 seconds at each turn.
Beep test (20m multi-stage fitness test)	Level 6.1
Swim	100m forward stroke without touching the bottom or sides	Constable and ARP applicants only.

The fitness assessment applies to PPSO, ACPO and Constable applicants (not ARP or Auxiliary per the selection lists); ARP applicants still need the swim.

The beep test standard (level 6.1) is moderate, but the 90-second plank and the swim are where people come unstuck. Practise the swim in a pool with lane ropes, because touching the bottom or sides fails it. Training plans are on our NT Police fitness test page.

Cognitive assessment

The cognitive stage is computer-based cognitive and psychological testing. NTPFES doesn't publish the provider or format, and the pages we read don't describe a separate psychologist interview. Our NT Police entrance exam guide covers the question types to expect.

Training at Berrimah, pay while training and probation

30 weeks at the Peter McAulay Centre, paid from day one, then two years' probation.

First 4 months

$74,619

a year

Month 4 to graduation

$79,095

a year

Probation

2 years

from commencement

Constable recruits train at the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services College, Peter McAulay Centre, Berrimah (Darwin). Barracks/departmental accommodation or the housing allowance is also provided to recruits. The Constable page says the course is 30 weeks; the PPSO FAQ calls it "the 32-week Constable course". Graduates receive the Diploma of Policing (POL50124).

The Consolidated Allowance and GPA aren't paid during training, which is why recruit pay looks low next to the posted package. Probation for Constables runs to the second anniversary of commencement under the Police Administration Act, and the Commissioner can shorten or extend it by up to six months at a time. More on the College is on our NT police academy guide.

Aboriginal Community Police Officers, PPSOs and Auxiliaries

The NT runs more distinct entry streams than any other Australian force.

Aboriginal Community Police Officer (ACPO)

The ACPO pathway is for applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. You need Year 10 or equivalent, a trade or life experience; training is 24 weeks, paid, at Berrimah, followed by 12 months' probation. Pay starts at $74,961 base, or $95,950 including the 23% Consolidated Allowance and 5% GPA, and ACPOs received an extra 5% structural rise in year one of the 2025 agreement. ACPOs progress by years of service to Senior ACPO points at 6, 10, 15 and 20 years.

ACPO, Auxiliary and PPSO pay