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How to become a police officer in Australia
the complete 2026 guide

This guide covers all eight Australian forces at once: what each one asks for, how its process runs, what it costs you, how long it takes and how to prepare so you pass first time.

Updated 9 October 2026 22 min read Sources checked 9 October 2026 Independent, not advice

The short answer

To become a police officer in Australia, pick one of the eight forces, meet its eligibility rules (18+ to start, citizen or permanent resident, a driver licence), then pass its aptitude test, fitness test, psych and medical checks, background vetting and a panel interview. You then train at its academy for about 6 to 8 months on pay of up to $74,619 a year.

Minimum age to start

18

no force lists an upper limit

Top recruit pay

$74,619

NT Police, a year while training

Academy

6–8 months

most forces; NSW and Victoria differ

Probation

1–2 years

after graduation

Contents +
  1. 1The big picture
  2. 2The 10 steps
  3. 3Every requirement compared
  4. 4Entrance tests
  5. 5Fitness tests
  6. 6Psych, medical, vetting and interview
  7. 7How long it takes
  8. 8What it costs
  9. 9Academy and pay
  10. 10Choosing a force
  11. 11Why applicants fail
  12. 12Lateral and overseas entry
  13. 13A 12-week preparation plan
  14. 14Guides by state
  15. 15FAQs
  16. 16Sources

Can anyone become a police officer in Australia?

Most adults who live here permanently can apply. Getting through takes preparation.

Australia has eight police forces: one for each state, one for the Northern Territory, and the Australian Federal Police, which also polices the ACT under contract. There's no national application. You join one force, train at its academy and, in most cases, stay in that state or territory for your career unless you later transfer.

Forces

8

6 states, NT and the AFP

Upper age limit

None

in any force's requirements

No written exam

2

NSW and WA

Beep test range

5 to 7.1

SA uses a circuit instead

The good news for applicants is that the entry bar is lower than many people assume. No force has a maximum joining age. Victoria and WA have no minimum education requirement. Recruitment is active: Victoria doubled its intake to 1,300 recruits a year in May 2026, NSW has moved to four attestation classes a year, and WA, SA and Queensland recruit experienced officers from overseas.

The harder part is that each force runs its own process with its own tests and standards. A plan built for the Victoria Police entrance exam is no use in NSW, which doesn't have one. A beep test of 5.01 gets you through Victoria's fitness stage but not WA's 7.01 for men. This guide puts the forces side by side so you can see exactly what yours asks for.

Who this guide is for

New applicants with no police experience. If you're already a serving officer, jump to lateral and overseas entry. If you've already chosen a force, our per-state guides (linked at the end) go into each stage in more detail.

Already a police officer overseas?

This force doesn't sponsor overseas officers directly, but WA, SA and Queensland do, and you can transfer across later. See police officers moving to Australia, plus visas for police officers and what happens to your UK police pension.

The 10 steps to becoming a police officer

Forces name and order their stages differently, and some stages run at the same time. Queensland's process has 13 steps; WA groups its process into 3 stages. Underneath, almost everyone goes through the same ten things.

  1. 1

    Choose a force

    1

    Where you'll live, what it pays, and whether you can meet its specific requirements. See choosing a force.

  2. 2

    Get your paperwork in order

    2

    Driver licence, first aid and swimming certificates where needed, certified ID, school results, and a full list of every offence and fine.

  3. 3

    Check eligibility and apply online

    3

    Every force has an online application, and most an eligibility self-check or expression of interest first.

  4. 4

    Sit the aptitude or entrance test

    4

    ACER in Victoria and Queensland, TAFE SA in SA, Talogy in Tasmania, SHL for the AFP, a cognitive test in the NT. NSW and WA have no separate written exam.

  5. 5

    Pass the fitness test

    5

    A beep test plus push-ups, plank and other tasks, or SA's timed circuit. Some forces add a swim.

  6. 6

    Psychological assessment

    6

    Personality and psychometric questionnaires in every force, sometimes followed by an interview with a psychologist.

  7. 7

    Medical

    7

    Vision, hearing and general health against the force's medical standard. Often at your own cost.

  8. 8

    Background and integrity checks

    8

    Criminal and traffic history, references, social media, fingerprints and, in the AFP, a security clearance covering at least 10 years.

  9. 9

    Panel interview

    9

    Behavioural and scenario questions. Some forces add a group exercise (Tasmania, AFP) or an assessment day.

  10. 10

    Offer, academy and probation

    10

    A place in an intake or a merit pool, then paid academy training and 1 to 2 years' probation.

The order matters for your planning. In Victoria the entrance exam comes early and you have 3 months to sit it. In WA the fitness test is in Stage 1, before the interview. The AFP says its steps may run in a different order and at the same time. Tasmania asks for fitness and online testing first, then a full application within 14 days. Know your force's order so you're never caught unprepared for the next stage.

Every eligibility requirement, compared across all 8 forces

This is the table to check before you start. The eligibility rules below come straight from each force's published requirements, as held in our data files.

Police eligibility requirements by force, October 2026

NSW Police

Age
18
Citizenship or residency
Citizen, PR, or NZ citizen on a 444 visa (WSU says citizens or PRs only for the degree)
Driver licence
Current NSW driver licence (or interstate equivalent) with at least 6 months' driving experience.
Education
ATAR 50+ or equivalent (Cert III+, degree, bridging course or UPPAP)
First aid
Not listed
Swimming
Aquatic Rescue Sequence certificate (Stage 2)

Victoria Police

Age
18
Citizenship or residency
Citizen or PR; NZ citizens on a special category visa
Driver licence
Full or probationary Australian driver licence (no learner permits), with no more than 7 demerit points at application.
Education
No minimum education requirement
First aid
First aid HLTAID010 or HLTAID011 before induction, valid for 12 months after training.
Swimming
100 m in 4 minutes (part of the fitness stage)

QPS

Age
17.5 to apply, 18 to start
Citizenship or residency
Citizen, PR, or NZ citizen on a Special Category Visa; overseas police via a labour agreement
Driver licence
Open driver licence, or a provisional licence held for at least 12 months, by academy graduation.
Education
Not stated in the sources we read
First aid
No first aid certificate requirement was found.
Swimming
Swim 100m untimed, any stroke, without stopping or touching the side or bottom, verified by an approved instructor on the QPS Certificate of Swimming Proficiency.

WA Police

Age
17 years 6 months to apply, 18 on appointment
Citizenship or residency
Australian or NZ citizen, or Australian PR
Driver licence
Current manual 'C' or automatic 'C-A' driver licence (provisional is OK).
Education
No formal qualifications required
First aid
Current first aid certificate HLTAID003 or HLTAID011 (can be obtained within 90 days of applying).
Swimming
Not listed

SAPOL

Age
17 at application (unconfirmed)
Citizenship or residency
Australian or NZ citizen, or Australian PR (unconfirmed)
Driver licence
Current C class driver licence; provisional is OK if you have no demerit points and are not on a Safer Driver Agreement (not verified on the SAPOL eligibility page).
Education
Year 12 highly desirable, not mandatory
First aid
Not listed
Swimming
Not listed

Tasmania Police

Age
17.5 to apply, 18 to start
Citizenship or residency
Australian or NZ citizen, or Australian PR
Driver licence
Current Australian driver licence (provisional accepted).
Education
Year 12 or Cert III (left school after 2020); Year 10 with C in Maths and English (before 2020)
First aid
First Aid Certificate with HLTAID009, HLTAID010 and HLTAID011.
Swimming
Swimming certification from Royal Life Saving Australia or AUSTSWIM.

NT Police

Age
18 at the start of training
Citizenship or residency
Citizen, PR or NZ citizen; NTPF does not sponsor visas
Driver licence
Current provisional or open driver licence to drive a manual vehicle.
Education
Year 12, a trade certificate, or considerable work and life experience
First aid
Qualification equivalent to Provide First Aid.
Swimming
Able to swim 100m without interruption (forward-facing stroke: breaststroke, freestyle or butterfly).

AFP

Age
18
Citizenship or residency
Australian citizen only
Driver licence
Valid Australian driver's licence (at least P plates).
Education
Year 10 or higher
First aid
Current first aid and CPR certificates.
Swimming
Signed certificate of a 100m freestyle swim, untimed and unaided.

SA's age, citizenship and licence rules come from its job advert and search summaries; its eligibility page only links to an online form. Queensland's details come from search extracts of its recruiting site.

A few rules here catch people out. The AFP takes Australian citizens only; permanent residents can't apply. Victoria won't accept learner permits and rejects applicants with more than 7 demerit points. NSW wants at least 6 months' driving experience. The NT needs a licence that lets you drive a manual and requires you to accept a posting anywhere in the Territory.

Character rules apply everywhere but are written differently. Tasmania says undischarged bankrupts are ineligible and discharged bankrupts must wait 3 years; it also bans visible tattoos on the neck, face, scalp, ears or hands. SA allows full sleeves but nothing on the face, head, ears or front and sides of the neck. Victoria, Tasmania and the AFP state zero tolerance for illicit drug use. Our police eligibility requirements guide covers health, criminal history and tattoos in full.

No Australian force sets a maximum joining age. If you can pass the same fitness, medical and psych standards as a 20-year-old, you can apply.

Entrance tests: what each force makes you sit

The written or online test is the stage that varies most between forces. Some use a national test provider, some test reasoning only, and two have no separate written exam at all.

Police entrance tests by force

NSW Police

Test
No separate written police entrance exam
What it covers
Psychometric testing (application Stage 4), Academic suitability for the ADAP, assessed by Western Sydney University
Cost
No exam fee; medical $555.50; Aquatic Rescue $10; first aid from $79

Victoria Police

Test
Victoria Police Entrance Exam (ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research))
What it covers
Numeracy, Abstract reasoning, Literacy, Report writing
Cost
$284 entrance exam (exemptions available); medical at your cost

QPS

Test
QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) (ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research))
What it covers
Literacy: 30 questions in 35 minutes, Abstract reasoning: 30 questions in 35 minutes, Writing: 1 task in 35 minutes
Cost
QPSea $0 if QPS sponsors you, $279 if not (ACER)

WA Police

Test
No written entrance exam
What it covers
Psychological evaluation (Stage 1; personality and psychological state)
Cost
No written exam; final-stage costs reimbursed

SAPOL

Test
SAPOL Recruitment Test (TAFE SA)
What it covers
Reading comprehension (pass mark 60%), Written expression (pass mark 60%)
Cost
TAFE SA reading and writing test (fee not published in the sources we read)

Tasmania Police

Test
Online suitability (psychometric) testing (Talogy; PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI))
What it covers
Cognitive reasoning, Reading comprehension, Personality questionnaire, PAR Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI)
Cost
No exam fee listed; certificates and medical at your cost

NT Police

Test
Cognitive assessment
What it covers
Computer-based cognitive testing, Computer-based psychological testing
Cost
No exam fee listed

AFP

Test
AFP online testing (SHL) (SHL)
What it covers
Deductive reasoning, Inductive reasoning, Personality, Calculation
Cost
No exam fee listed (SHL online tests)

Queensland: our data lists five areas from search extracts of the recruiting site, but ACER's own page (checked 9 October 2026) lists three sections: literacy and abstract reasoning (30 questions in 35 minutes each) and a 35-minute writing task. Use ACER's description.

How the main tests work

Victoria uses a four-part exam (numeracy, abstract reasoning, literacy and report writing). You must pass every part, the fee is $284 and you have 3 months to sit it. Degree holders, people with an ATAR of 65+ and English 25+, ADF members, paramedics, firefighters and some public servants can be exempt.

Queensland's QPSea is run by ACER and takes 1 hour 45 minutes online. ACER lists it at $0 when QPS sponsors your sitting and $279 when it doesn't, with a $107 late reschedule fee. SA's TAFE SA test has covered only reading and writing since 14 April 2025, with a 60% pass mark in each and a resit allowed after 3 months.

The AFP uses SHL online tests in deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, personality and calculation. You get 14 days to complete them, and a maximum of 3 attempts with 12 months between each. Tasmania's Talogy tests are webcam-proctored and must be done within 7 days. The NT uses a computer-based cognitive and psychological assessment but doesn't publish the provider or format.

NSW and WA have no separate written exam. NSW relies on its academic entry standard for the degree (ATAR 50 or equivalent) plus psychometric testing, and offers a fee-free university preparation program (UPPAP) if you're below the academic bar. WA's FAQ says there is no standardised aptitude test score; its Stage 1 includes a psychological evaluation instead.

Free tool

Practise for your force's entrance test

AI-generated numeracy, verbal and reasoning sets plus a marked writing task, matched to the force you choose. Five free questions a day; full access is A$39.99 for 180 days.

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Fitness tests and beep test levels by force

You'll need to pass a physical test in every force. Most combine a 20 m beep test with strength and agility tasks; SA uses a job-related circuit instead. Here is every force's published standard.

Police fitness test standards by force

NSW Police

Beep test
Level 7.1
Other components
Handgrip strength: 30 kg each hand; Prone bridge: 90 seconds; Vertical jump: 30 cm or more; Push-ups: 25; Illinois agility run: 20 seconds or less

Victoria Police

Beep test
Level 5.01
Other components
Handgrip strength: 30 kg each hand; Illinois agility run: 20 seconds; Push-ups: 5 consecutive, on toes; Prone bridge: 60 seconds; Swim: 100 m in 4 minutes

QPS

Beep test
Level 5 shuttle 7 (5/7)
Other components
Prone bridge: 90 seconds minimum; Push-ups: 10 minimum

WA Police

Beep test
Level 7.01 (male) / 6.01 (female)
Other components
Illinois Agility Test: 20 seconds or less (male) / 22 seconds or less (female); Sit-ups: Minimum 1; Push-ups: Minimum 10, on toes; Grip strength: 30 kg; Bag lift and carry: 35 kg

SAPOL

Beep test
No beep test (circuit test)
Other components
Run: 80 m; Weighted carry: Run 25 m carrying two 15 kg weights; Balance beam: Cross a slippery balance beam; Step-ups: 20; Fence: Climb over a 1 m fence; Get-downs: Drop to the ground and stand up 5 times; Trigger pulls: Collect a training firearm and pull the trigger 13 times with each hand; Recall: Recall at least 3 of 5 physical characteristics given at the start

Tasmania Police

Beep test
Level 6.01
Other components
Broad jump (metres x bodyweight kg): Score of 80 minimum; Illinois agility run: Under 22 seconds; Plank: 60 seconds minimum; Grip strength (each hand): Males 40-49.9kg, females 20-29.9kg acceptable; Waist: Males 94-102cm, females 80-88cm acceptable; Hand-release press-ups (3-second cadence): 10 reps minimum; BMI: 18.5-34.9 per the fitness test page (fail above 35)

NT Police

Beep test
Level 6.1
Other components
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); Swim: 100m forward stroke without touching the bottom or sides

AFP

Beep test
Level 6.5
Other components
Plank: 60-second hold; Push-ups: 15 (male) / 8 (female) within 60 seconds

NSW's Professional Mobility Program page lists a 35 kg grip standard for serving officers. Tasmania's BMI standard differs between its fitness page and its FAQ. The AFP's College test also has a stage 4 sit-up standard.

The beep test is the event most people worry about, but it's rarely the one that fails them alone. NSW's 25 push-ups and 90-second prone bridge, Tasmania's broad jump scored against bodyweight, and the 20 kg farmer's carry in the NT all need specific training. SA's circuit is about speed under load: a competitive time is under 2 minutes 30 seconds in a 10 kg vest, and cadets must achieve that to graduate.

Swimming is a separate requirement in several forces. Queensland wants a 100 m untimed swim without stopping, Victoria 100 m in 4 minutes, the NT 100 m of forward stroke without touching the bottom or sides, and the AFP a signed certificate for 100 m of freestyle. If you're not a confident swimmer, start lessons early; it's the one test you can't cram.

Free tool

See which forces' standards you already meet

Enter your beep test level, push-ups and plank time and compare them with each force's published minimum at once.

Check my fitness →

For a structured programme, the Fitness Test Pass Plan (A$24.99) builds a week-by-week plan from your current results, and the free beep test audio lets you run the test at home. Our fitness test guide explains every event.

Psych, medical, background checks and the interview

These stages decide more applications than the tests do, and they're the ones you have least control over on the day. You can still prepare for each of them.

Psychological assessment

Every force uses personality and psychometric questionnaires. Victoria's takes 30 to 40 minutes online. Tasmania uses the PAR Personality Assessment Inventory, reviewed by departmental psychologists with no pass or fail mark. Queensland follows written tests with a psychological interview. The AFP is the most explicit: it wants 12 months of mental-health stability without psychotropic medication or treatment, and lists conditions that are automatic fails. Answer honestly and consistently; these tools check for both.

Medical

Medicals check vision, hearing and general health. WA assesses against its "P58" standard, with unaided vision of at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other. The AFP sets a BMI under 33 and detailed vision and hearing limits. Tasmania requires the Farnsworth D-15 colour vision test and allows hearing aids if worn on duty. In Victoria, Tasmania and NSW you pay for the medical yourself.

Background and integrity checks

Expect your criminal and traffic history, including juvenile matters, to be checked, along with references, social media and associations. The AFP reviews at least 10 years of history and checks your partner. WA adds a bankruptcy check, fingerprints and DNA. Tasmania publishes Prior History Offence Guidelines, and the NT may refer declared matters to an Integrity Committee.

The panel interview

Most forces interview you in front of a panel. Victoria's lasts 40 to 50 minutes at the Victoria Police Centre in Docklands, with behavioural and scenario questions. WA assesses teamwork, drive and integrity, problem solving, adaptability and communication. SA looks at leadership, decisiveness, stress management, integrity, courage and respect. The AFP uses a STAR-format behavioural interview inside an online assessment centre.

How to prepare for the interview

  • ✓ Read your force's values and the competencies its interview assesses.
  • ✓ Prepare 8 to 10 real examples from work, sport, study or volunteering, each told in STAR format (situation, task, action, result).
  • ✓ Have at least one example each of integrity, teamwork, handling conflict, a mistake you learned from, and working under pressure.
  • ✓ Practise out loud and time yourself: most answers should land in 2 to 3 minutes.
  • ✓ Know why you want this force specifically, including where you might be posted.
Free tool

Rehearse with the AI mock interview

Answer police-style panel questions by typing or speaking and get a score out of 10 against STAR and police values, with the top fix. Two free scored answers a day; full access is A$34.99 for 30 days.

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How long does it take to become a police officer?

From the day you apply to the day you're confirmed as a constable usually takes from about 20 months to 3 years, but most of that is paid academy training and probation. The unpaid part, the selection process, is shorter, and it's the part you can speed up by having your documents and fitness ready.

How long each stage takes, by force

NSW Police

Selection process
About 10–12 weeks if nothing is delayed (reported from NSWPF pages; not confirmed by us)
Academy
16 weeks online (unpaid) + 16 weeks at the Academy
Probation
12 months as a Probationary Constable

Victoria Police

Selection process
About 6 months on average (other official text says 6–9 months)
Academy
25 weeks (sworn in at week 12)
Probation
To week 116 of training (2 years 13 weeks)

QPS

Selection process
Not published; QPS says it varies by applicant
Academy
About 8 months (exact weeks unconfirmed); PACE 20 weeks
Probation
At least 12 months (First Year Constable Program)

WA Police

Selection process
About 3–4 months for the 3 stages, then a selection pool
Academy
28 weeks
Probation
18 months as a Probationary Constable

SAPOL

Selection process
Domestic not published; overseas transition process at least 8 weeks
Academy
About 6 months (unconfirmed)
Probation
About 2 years in total (unconfirmed)

Tasmania Police

Selection process
Typically 8–12 weeks; offers about 4 weeks before the course
Academy
28 weeks (incl. 6 weeks at a station)
Probation
First year (up to 12 months)

NT Police

Selection process
Not published
Academy
30 weeks (one FAQ says 32)
Probation
2 years from commencement

AFP

Selection process
6–9 months (role pages); 'often up to 12 months' (process page)
Academy
26 weeks (PSOs 15 weeks)
Probation
At least 12 months at Band 2.4 and until the workbook is signed off

NSW's 10–12 week figure appears in a search summary of NSWPF recruitment pages that we could not open directly. Queensland, SA (domestic) and the NT don't publish an overall process time.

The selection timelines are what each force says when nothing is delayed. Delays usually come from waiting for referees, medical specialist reports, overseas police checks or a place in the next intake. Victoria's candidate pool and the AFP's merit pool mean that passing everything is not the same as having a start date; you wait for an invitation.

Intake frequency affects how long you wait. Victoria inducts 52 recruits every two weeks. NSW lists ADAP start dates of 26 October 2026, 1 March 2027, 3 May 2027 and 23 August 2027. Tasmania publishes its next starts as 11 January 2027, 22 March 2027, 9 August 2027 and 18 October 2027. For the full breakdown, see our police recruitment timeline.

What does it cost to become a police officer?

Applying is cheap compared with most career changes, but it isn't free everywhere. The bigger cost for some people is the time between applying and being paid, especially in NSW where the first session of training is unpaid.

Application and training costs by force

NSW

Costs you may pay
Medical $555.50 plus any specialist fees; Aquatic Rescue Sequence $10; first aid and pocket mask from $79; ADAP student contribution about $9,112 a year (HECS-HELP available to citizens)
Costs covered
Free accommodation and meals during the 16 weeks at Goulburn

Victoria

Costs you may pay
Entrance exam $284 (unless exempt); medical, hearing and vision tests; HLTAID010/011 first aid
Costs covered
Optional live-in at the Academy for $529.50 a fortnight including meals if you live 40+ km away

Queensland

Costs you may pay
QPSea $279 if not sponsored; $107 late reschedule fee
Costs covered
QPSea $0 when sponsored; free academy accommodation; no training fees

WA

Costs you may pay
First aid certificate up front
Costs covered
Final-stage costs (first aid, medical, vision, bankruptcy check, fingerprints and DNA) reimbursed; free on-site accommodation for regional recruits

SA

Costs you may pay
TAFE SA test fee (not published in the sources we read)
Costs covered
$4,531.28 cost-of-living allowance for country and interstate recruits on starting

Tasmania

Costs you may pay
National Police Certificate, first aid and swimming certificates; GP medical, audiologist and optometrist
Costs covered
Academy board is $225 a fortnight for room and all meals (optional)

NT

Costs you may pay
First aid qualification
Costs covered
Barracks, free departmental accommodation or a housing allowance

AFP

Costs you may pay
First aid and CPR certificates
Costs covered
Free ensuite room, main meals, phone and laptop at the College; travel to and from the College paid

Costs as listed in each force's recruiting material in our data files, plus ACER's QPSea fee page. Prices for certificates and medicals vary by provider.

Degree costs. NSW is the only force where a university course is built into entry. The Associate Degree in Applied Policing, now with Western Sydney University, carries student contributions of about $9,112 a year as a Commonwealth-supported place. Citizens can defer this through HECS-HELP, which you then repay through the tax system once your income passes the threshold. Tasmanian recruits complete 15 of the 24 units of a UTAS social science degree during training, and Victoria, the NT and the AFP award a Diploma of Policing.

Plan for the gap before your first pay

If you're changing careers into NSW, budget for 16 weeks of unpaid online study. Elsewhere, the gap is the selection process itself: you'll need time off for testing days, the interview and medical appointments, often in a capital city.

Academy pay and what you earn after graduating

Seven forces pay you a salary from your first day at the academy. NT Police pays recruits $74,619 a year, the highest published rate, and QPS pays $59,728, the lowest. NSW works differently. Session 1 of its associate degree (16 weeks online) is unpaid, then you are employed at Goulburn on $1,360 a week for 16 weeks, about $21,760 in total by our calculation. That weekly rate dates from March 2024, and NSW hasn't confirmed whether it still applies in 2026.

Recruit and first-year constable pay by force

NSW Police

Pay while training
$1,360 a week at Goulburn; Session 1 unpaid
First-year constable
$92,576
What the first-year figure is
Probationary Constable (Level 1) from 1 Jul 2026 including the 11.5% loading paid as salary

Victoria Police

Pay while training
$61,187 a year
First-year constable
$84,060
What the first-year figure is
Constable point 1 (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jun 2026: Schedule A ordinary rate, which already includes the 13% commuted penalty

QPS

Pay while training
$59,728 a year calc
First-year constable
$78,505
What the first-year figure is
Constable 1.1 base from 1 Jul 2026 (official QPS CUA schedule)

WA Police

Pay while training
$74,309 a year
First-year constable
$94,651
What the first-year figure is
Constable 1st year of service (Probationary Constable) from 1 Jul 2026: base salary

SAPOL

Pay while training
$71,872 a year
First-year constable
$83,398
What the first-year figure is
Probationary Constable from 1 Jan 2026: base salary plus super

Tasmania Police

Pay while training
$61,801 a year
First-year constable
$73,518
What the first-year figure is
Constable Level 1 base from FFPPOOA 1 Dec 2025

NT Police

Pay while training
$74,619 a year
First-year constable
$87,005
What the first-year figure is
Constable 1 (graduation to end of 12 months) base as published by NTPFES

AFP

Pay while training
$69,698 a year
First-year constable
$72,317
What the first-year figure is
Band 2.4 base from 9 Dec 2025 for a newly sworn (probationary) constable, national or ACT

'calc' = calculated by us from the published rule. First-year figures are base salary except NSW, which includes the 11.5% loading paid as salary. Most forces pay shift allowances, loadings or composites on top.

The first-year figures aren't directly comparable, because forces package pay differently. Queensland adds a 21% Operational Shift Allowance, the NT a 23% Consolidated Allowance and 5% General Policing Allowance, the AFP a 22% composite, and Tasmania a shift allowance of up to 28% at 24-hour stations. Our police salary comparison lines them up fairly, and the take-home pay calculator shows your fortnightly pay after tax.

For academy details by force, including accommodation and what a typical week looks like, see the recruit pay while training guide and the academy guides for each force, such as the NSW Police Academy and Victoria Police Academy.

How should you choose a force?

For most people the force is decided by where they live. If you're open to moving, though, the differences in pay, training, super and postings are large. These are the trade-offs worth weighing.

Reasons to look beyond your home state

  • ✓Higher training pay: NT Police pays $74,619 a year at the academy.
  • ✓Better super: Queensland pays 18% employer super, the AFP 15.4%, against the 12% minimum in several states.
  • ✓Big remote incentives in NSW, the NT, WA and SA, including cash payments and subsidised housing.
  • ✓A different test profile: no written exam in NSW or WA; a lower beep test in Victoria and Queensland.
  • ✓Federal work: the AFP covers national, protective and international policing.

Reasons to stay local

  • ✕You'll usually serve years in that state, often starting in a regional posting you don't choose.
  • ✕The NT says postings are set by organisational need, not choice, and can be anywhere in the Territory.
  • ✕Moving between forces later is not automatic; most require a transition course and a new probation.
  • ✕Family, housing and support networks matter more in a shift-work job than most recruits expect.
  • ✕Interstate applicants still have to travel for some stages (Victoria's interview is in Docklands).

Think about postings honestly. Tasmania posts new constables to a 24/7 station for at least 2 years. NSW offers a "Be a Cop in your Home Town" scheme for regional districts, and WA lets regional recruits request their home district for their first 4 to 6 years. These details shape your first years more than headline pay does.

Free tool

Which police force should you join?

Seven questions about location, pay, super, remote service and fitness, matched against the eight forces' published figures.

Take the free quiz →

Why do police applicants fail, and how do you avoid it?

No Australian force publishes pass rates or a breakdown of why applicants are rejected, so be wary of anyone who quotes one. What we can do is point to the rules forces publish about what disqualifies you, and add general guidance on where preparation usually falls short.

What forces say themselves

Published disqualifiers and limits

Non-disclosure

Force(s)
NT, Tasmania
What it means
The NT says failing to disclose criminal, traffic, juvenile, DVO or bankruptcy history is likely to mean permanent exclusion. Tasmania says all offences, including juvenile, must be disclosed.

Illicit drug use

Force(s)
Victoria, Tasmania, AFP
What it means
Zero tolerance; drug testing during selection (and, in the AFP, throughout employment).

AI-written answers

Force(s)
Tasmania
What it means
AI tools such as ChatGPT may not be used for written answers; random checks apply.

Limited attempts

Force(s)
AFP, NSW, SA
What it means
AFP online tests: 3 attempts, 12 months apart. NSW fitness: 2 sittings. SA: resit the test after 3 months; reapply 12 months after an unsuccessful selection.

Mental health history

Force(s)
AFP
What it means
Conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and current psychotropic medication are automatic fails; 12 months' stability required.

Visible tattoos

Force(s)
WA, SA, Tasmania
What it means
No face tattoos in WA; nothing on the face, head, ears or front of the neck in SA; nothing on the neck, face, scalp, ears or hands in Tasmania.

Bankruptcy

Force(s)
Tasmania
What it means
Undischarged bankrupts are ineligible; discharged bankrupts can apply after 3 years.

General guidance (not force data)

Beyond those rules, the stages where applicants most commonly come unstuck are the ones they prepare least for. That's usually the fitness test (training for the beep test but not push-ups or the plank), the writing component of the entrance exam, and the interview, where vague answers without a real example score poorly. Leaving paperwork to the last minute also slows applications.

Honesty is the one thing you can't fix later

A traffic fine, a caution or an old juvenile matter is often not fatal. Leaving it off your application can be. When in doubt, declare it and explain the context.

Lateral entry: experienced and overseas police

If you're already a sworn officer, most forces have a shorter route that recognises your service. Terms vary a great deal, especially for officers from outside Australia.

Lateral and transition programs by force

NSW

Program
Professional Mobility Program
Who it's for
Serving Australian and NZ police, generally 1 year after probation
Key terms
12 weeks at Goulburn, paid from day one; rank recognised up to Senior Constable; relocation help. No overseas route found.

Victoria

Program
Prior service recognition
Who it's for
Operational police from Australia, NZ and the UK who are citizens or PRs
Key terms
Full selection process (exam exemptions possible), then a skills-gap training plan. No lateral transfer as such.

Queensland

Program
PACE
Who it's for
Current or recent (within 5 years) frontline police, including overseas under a labour agreement
Key terms
20-week course, 3–4 intakes a year; $20,000 relocation incentive; paid more than mainstream recruits.

WA

Program
Transitional course
Who it's for
Serving UK and Irish officers (NZ also listed), plus interstate and NZ officers
Key terms
13 weeks paid at Joondalup, then 6 months' probation; overseas applicants under 55 at visa nomination; service recognised up to Constable 5th year.

SA

Program
Transition Program
Who it's for
Interstate officers with 3+ years in the last 5; UK, Ireland, Guernsey, NZ and Canada
Key terms
15 weeks at Taperoo, paid as Probationary Constable; up to $10,000 relocation; overseas applicants under 45 at visa application.

Tasmania

Program
Accelerated Training Program
Who it's for
Sworn officers with 2+ years after probation in Australia or NZ
Key terms
12 weeks; rank does not transfer; pay reflects up to 12 years' service. Next intake expected early to mid 2027.

NT

Program
Accelerated Recruitment Program
Who it's for
Current or recent Australian or NZ police with 2+ years at Constable
Key terms
Pay set at the increment for your completed years; 12 months' probation including training. NTPF does not sponsor visas.

AFP

Program
Skilled Police Program
Who it's for
Experienced Australian police
Key terms
Closed, with no date for the next intake. Experienced officers use the standard recruit process.

From each force's recruiting pages in our data. Queensland's 'up to $130k' first-year pay for experienced officers comes from search extracts and is not confirmed.

For UK officers, WA and SA are the clearest routes: both sponsor an Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) permanent visa under a labour agreement, run a short transition course and recognise service for pay. WA's international campaign, launched in October 2022, was the first in Australia. Queensland's labour agreement allows up to 500 international police a year for 5 years from 2023. Read the detail in our guide for UK officers moving to Australia.

New Zealand officers have the widest choice, because NZ citizens can live and work in Australia and most forces' transition programs accept NZ service. See the guide for NZ officers.

A 12-week preparation plan

Twelve weeks is enough to get most reasonably active people ready for the entrance test, fitness test and interview at the same time. If you're starting from a low fitness base or haven't studied in years, give yourself longer. This plan is general guidance; adjust it to your force's order of stages.

  1. 1

    Weeks 1–2: baseline and paperwork

    Start

    Run a beep test and test your push-ups, plank and any other events your force uses. Book first aid and swimming certificates. List every offence, fine and address for the last 10 years. Do a diagnostic practice set in every entrance test section.

  2. 2

    Weeks 3–6: build

    Build

    Three or four fitness sessions a week: two running (intervals plus one easy run), two strength (push-ups, core, grip). Study 30 to 45 minutes a day, focusing on your two weakest test sections. Write one practice report a week.

  3. 3

    Weeks 7–9: specific

    Sharpen

    Run the beep test with audio every week and track your level. Practise timed test sections. Draft your 8 to 10 STAR examples and say them out loud.

  4. 4

    Weeks 10–11: rehearse

    Rehearse

    Full timed practice tests. Mock interviews with feedback. Fitness at or above standard on two separate days.

  5. 5

    Week 12: taper and apply

    Go

    Lighter training, sleep and food sorted. Submit your application with certified documents and referees ready.

If you want the whole kit in one place, the Recruit Prep Bundle (A$79.99 for 180 days) combines the AI mock interview, entrance exam practice and a personalised fitness pass plan. Every tool also has a free tier, so you can start without paying.

Read your force's own guide too

Several forces publish their own preparation material. Victoria has the POLICE FIT app, WA a free 8-week "Fit for Duty" plan, and the AFP a pre-course fitness program. Use them alongside our tools.

How to become a police officer in your state

Each force guide below walks through that force's process stage by stage, with its exact tests, fitness standard, academy and pay. Start with the one you're applying to.

NSW How to become a police officer in NSW NSW Police Academy; beep Level 7.1. VIC How to become a police officer in VIC Victoria Police Academy; beep Level 5.01. QLD How to become a police officer in QLD QPS Academy; beep Level 5 shuttle 7 (5/7). WA How to become a police officer in WA WA Police Academy; beep Level 7.01 (male) / 6.01 (female). SA How to become a police officer in SA SA Police Academy; beep No beep test (circuit test). TAS How to become a police officer in TAS Tasmania Police Academy; beep Level 6.01. NT How to become a police officer in NT NT Police; beep Level 6.1. AFP How to join the AFP AFP College; beep Level 6.5.

Before you go, compare the forces' wider offer on the forces hub, check your eligibility in the eligibility guide, and if you're over 35 or changing careers, read the police age limit guide. Everything for applicants is collected on the joining the police hub.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a police officer in Australia?

Choose the force for the state or territory where you want to work (or the AFP), check you meet its eligibility rules, and apply online. You'll then sit an aptitude test (in most forces), a fitness test, psychological and medical assessments, background checks and a panel interview. If you're offered a place, you train at that force's academy and then serve 1 to 2 years on probation.

How long does it take to become a police officer in Australia?

Usually 9 to 18 months from application to graduation. Published process times range from about 8 to 12 weeks (Tasmania) to 6 to 12 months (AFP). The academy then runs from 25 weeks in Victoria to about 8 months in Queensland. After that you're on probation for between 12 months and about 2 years.

What qualifications do you need to be a police officer in Australia?

Fewer than most people think. Victoria and WA set no minimum education. The AFP asks for Year 10, Tasmania for Year 12 or a Certificate III (or Year 10 if you left school before 2020), and NSW for an ATAR of 50 or equivalent because training is a university associate degree. Every force wants a driver licence, and most want first aid.

How much does it cost to become a police officer?

Often a few hundred dollars. Victoria's entrance exam is $284 and its medical is at your cost. Queensland's QPSea is $0 if QPS sponsors you and $279 if not. NSW's initial medical is $555.50, and its degree attracts student contributions of about $9,112 a year, deferrable through HECS-HELP. WA reimburses its final-stage costs.

Are you paid while training to be a police officer?

Yes, in every force except the first part of NSW's training. Annual recruit rates run from $59,728 (QPS) to $74,619 (NT Police). NSW's 16-week online first session is unpaid; the 16 weeks at Goulburn pay $1,360 a week, with free accommodation and meals.

Can I become a police officer with a criminal record?

Possibly. No force publishes a blanket ban on every offence. WA says a record is not automatically disqualifying, and Tasmania publishes guidelines on prior offences. What forces treat most harshly is non-disclosure: the NT says failing to disclose is likely to mean permanent exclusion. Declare everything, including juvenile matters and fines.

Do you need to be fit to join the police?

Yes. Every force sets a minimum standard, usually a 20 m beep test plus push-ups, a plank and grip or agility tests. Beep test levels run from Level 5.01 (Victoria) to Level 7.1 (NSW). SA uses a timed circuit in a 10 kg vest instead. Most people who train consistently for 8 to 12 weeks can reach these standards.

Can an overseas police officer join an Australian force?

Yes, in some forces. WA recruits serving UK and Irish officers (under 55 at visa nomination) through a 13-week course; SA takes officers from the UK, Ireland, Guernsey, NZ and Canada (under 45 at visa application); and Queensland runs PACE under a labour agreement. NSW, the NT and the AFP require residency or citizenship.

What is the best police force to join in Australia?

There's no single best force. If pay while training matters most, look at the NT and WA; for super, Queensland's 18% employer contribution leads; for the easiest fitness bar, Victoria and Queensland; for no written exam, NSW and WA. Most people should join the force where they want to live, then prepare for its specific process.

Evidence

Sources and how we checked them

Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 9 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.

  1. NSW Police Force: recruiting site
  2. Victoria Police: recruiting site
  3. Queensland Police Service: recruiting site
  4. Western Australia Police Force: recruiting site
  5. South Australia Police: recruiting site
  6. Tasmania Police: recruiting site
  7. Northern Territory Police Force: recruiting site
  8. Australian Federal Police (incl. ACT Policing): recruiting site
  9. NSW Police Force recruitment: Application process — NSW Police
  10. Victoria Police: Police recruitment process — Victoria Police
  11. ACER: QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea) candidate information — QPS
  12. Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Entry-level officer recruitment process — WA Police
  13. SAPOL: Recruitment process — SAPOL
  14. Tasmania Police Recruitment: Online Suitability Testing — Tasmania Police
  15. NTPFES: Constable recruitment page — NT Police
  16. AFP Online testing for new recruits (PDF) — AFP
  17. NSW Police Force recruitment: Fitness (Physical Capacity Tests) — NSW Police
  18. Victoria Police: Police recruitment process — Victoria Police
  19. QPS Recruit Entry Fitness Assessment Standard V1 20251021 (PDF) — QPS
  20. Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Entry-level officer recruitment process — WA Police
  21. SAPOL: Recruitment process — SAPOL
  22. Tasmania Police Recruitment: Fitness Test — Tasmania Police
  23. NTPFES: Fitness assessment — NT Police
  24. AFP: Application process — AFP
  25. NSW Police Force recruitment: Salary and benefits — NSW Police
  26. Victoria Police: Police officer training — Victoria Police
  27. QPS Recruiting: General entry policing pathway (as summarised publicly) — QPS
  28. Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Training at the Academy — WA Police
  29. SAPOL: The Academy — SAPOL
  30. Tasmania Police Recruitment: FAQs — Tasmania Police
  31. NTPFES: Constable recruitment page — NT Police
  32. AFP College — AFP
  33. ACER: QPS Entrance Assessment (structure and fees) — QPSea sections and fees, checked 9 October 2026

Related guides

Every Australian police force compared → Pay, fitness, academy, super and retirement side by side. Police pay in Australia 2026 → What you'll earn after the academy in every force. Take-home pay calculator → Your first-year pay after tax, with shifts and overtime.

Joining the police

More in this series

Getting started Police eligibility requirements in Australia Citizenship, age, licence, education, health, criminal history and tattoos for all 8 forces. Getting started Police age limits in Australia Minimum joining ages, why no force has an upper limit, and each force's compulsory retirement age. Getting started Police recruitment timeline How long each force's process, academy and probation take, intake cycles and a 6-month preparation plan. AI prep tools Recruit Prep Bundle AI mock interview, entrance exam prep and a fitness pass plan together for 180 days, for less than buying them separately. Academy and training Police recruit pay while training Recruit pay in all 8 forces compared, with tax, super, academy costs and the pay jump at graduation. Academy and training NSW Police Academy, Goulburn The ADAP with Western Sydney University: the unpaid online session, 16 weeks at Goulburn, pay, fees and attestation. Academy and training Victoria Police Academy Glen Waverley's 25-week course week by week, swearing-in at week 12, live-in costs and the new Mildura academy. Academy and training QPS Academy, Oxley and Townsville About 8 months of recruit training, free live-in, recruit pay, the First Year Constable Program and PACE. Academy and training WA Police Academy, Joondalup 28 weeks at Joondalup: subjects, hours, Recruit-in-Training pay, regional accommodation and 18 months' probation.
See every joining the police guide →

General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.