How to become a police officer in Queensland
the 13-step QPS recruitment process

Queensland swore in almost 1,200 officers in 2025, its second record recruiting year in a row, and it was still graduating classes through 2026 (35 First Year Constables at Oxley on 5 October). The QPS wants experienced police too: it runs a fast PACE course, a labour agreement for international recruits and a campaign aimed squarely at New Zealand officers.

Two things make Queensland stand out for applicants. The fitness standard is the most achievable of the big states, with three tests and a beep level of 5/7. And the money after you're sworn in is strong: most frontline officers get the 21% Operational Shift Allowance on top of base pay, and the employer contributes 18% super.

These are the entry requirements in our Queensland data. Several come from search extracts of the recruiting site because its pages sit behind a CAPTCHA, so read the official page when you apply.

The swim certificate

The swim is an eligibility requirement, not part of the fitness test. You must swim 100 m, any stroke, without stopping or touching the side or bottom, and an approved swimming instructor must sign the QPS Certificate of Swimming Proficiency. It's untimed, so the only real risk is if you can't swim continuously. Book it early.

Licence timing

Unlike NSW, Queensland only needs your licence condition met by academy graduation: an open licence, or a provisional licence held for at least 12 months. That helps younger applicants who apply at 17 and a half.

Queensland lets you apply at 17 and a half, and only needs your licence sorted by the time you graduate.

QPS publishes its process as a flowchart of 13 boxes. Some run at the same time, and the fitness assessment isn't a separate box, but you must pass every part of it before you get an offer. Here is each step with what it involves and how to prepare.

1. 1

   Expression of Interest

   Day one

   Initial eligibility self-assessment.
   How to prepare: Run through the eligibility list honestly, and book your 100 m swim with an approved instructor now so the certificate is ready.

2. 2

   QPS Entrance Assessment (QPSea)

   Step 2

   The ACER-run QPSea: literacy, abstract reasoning and writing (1 hour 45 minutes), unless exempt.
   How to prepare: Check whether you qualify for an exemption. If not, do timed reasoning and writing practice; you need the minimum standard in every part.

3. 3

   Application submission

   Step 3

   Submit the full application.
   How to prepare: Have your ID, licence, swim certificate and referee details ready. Disclose every police contact.

4. 4

   Eligibility review

   Step 4

   QPS checks the application against entry requirements.
   How to prepare: Nothing to do but respond quickly to any request for documents.

5. 5

   Interview and pathway determination

   Step 5

   Online panel interview with 1-2 QPS members; the entry pathway is decided.
   How to prepare: Prepare STAR stories for integrity, teamwork, communication and resilience. Test your camera and microphone; the panel is online.

6. 6

   Integrity vetting

   Step 6

   Background and integrity checks.
   How to prepare: Be consistent with what you declared. Unpaid fines, debts and associations can all come up.

7. 7

   Pre-Employment Medical Screening (PEMS)

   Step 7

   Medical screening; detailed standards not checked.
   How to prepare: Gather records for any past injury or condition so the screening doesn't stall waiting for reports.

8. 8

   Psychological assessment

   Step 8

   Standardised written personality tests (remote or at venues), then a psychological interview.
   How to prepare: Answer the personality tests as yourself, then expect the interview to explore your answers and life history.

9. 9

   Application and referee checks

   Step 9

   Referees and application details are checked.
   How to prepare: Warn your referees and make sure their contact details are current.

10. 10

    Quality assurance

    Step 10

    Final review of the file.
    How to prepare: Keep training. You must have passed every part of the fitness assessment before an offer.

11. 11

    Allocation and offer

    Step 11

    Offer of a place in a recruit intake.
    How to prepare: Be ready to say yes to Oxley or Townsville and to a start date.

12. 12

    Visa (if applicable)

    Step 12

    For international police recruits.
    How to prepare: International recruits only: QPS uses a labour agreement for sponsorship.

13. 13

    Pre-appointment integrity vetting, then recruit training

    Then the academy

    Final vetting before starting at the academy. Some steps run at the same time. The fitness assessment is not a separate box on the flowchart, but every part must be passed before a recruit position is offered.
    How to prepare: Avoid anything that could change your record between offer and start: licence, debts, charges.

The step descriptions come partly from search extracts of the recruiting site, because its HTML pages are behind a CAPTCHA. The order is from the official PDF flowchart, which we read directly.

The QPSea is Queensland's cognitive entrance test, run by ACER for QPS. You need the minimum standard in every component to progress, and since 9 May 2023 QPS has covered the cost, conditions applying. A pass stays valid for three years, so if you withdraw and reapply you may not need to resit.

Literacy

Questions

30

Time

35 minutes

Abstract reasoning

Questions

30

Time

35 minutes

Writing

Questions

1 task

Time

35 minutes

Section	Questions	Time
Literacy	30	35 minutes
Abstract reasoning	30	35 minutes
Writing	1 task	35 minutes

Total 1 hour 45 minutes. Free with a QPS sponsorship voucher; $279 if you sit it unsponsored, including re-sits; $107 late reschedule fee.

Numeracy and digital literacy were part of an older format. ACER's preparation page still sells practice tests for them, so don't be thrown if you see them there. ACER sells practice for the current sections too and offers free sample tests; points aren't deducted for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank. Exemptions are available for some applicants. Our QPS entrance exam guide goes deeper, and the free entrance exam practice tool gives you timed reasoning and writing practice.

The current standard is the QPS Recruit Entry Fitness Assessment dated 21 October 2025. It has three tests, each with strict technique rules. The beep standard is written as "Level 5 shuttle 7 (5/7) minimum" in the official document; compare that with 7.01 in NSW and 5.01 in Victoria.

Prone bridge

Standard

90 seconds minimum

Technique rules

Body straight from shoulders to ankles; one posture correction allowed.

Push-ups

Standard

10 minimum

Technique rules

Standard from the toes, chest to a 7cm dome cone, one every 2 seconds; one attempt.

Beep test (20m shuttle)

Standard

Level 5 shuttle 7 (5/7) minimum

Technique rules

Official audio; must stop and turn; 2 warnings.

Test	Standard	Technique rules
Prone bridge	90 seconds minimum	Body straight from shoulders to ankles; one posture correction allowed.
Push-ups	10 minimum	Standard from the toes, chest to a 7cm dome cone, one every 2 seconds; one attempt.
Beep test (20m shuttle)	Level 5 shuttle 7 (5/7) minimum	Official audio; must stop and turn; 2 warnings.

Source: QPS Recruit Entry Fitness Assessment Standard V1 20251021 (PDF), read directly.

Low standards still fail people on technique. Push-ups must be from the toes, chest to a 7 cm dome cone, at one every two seconds, so speed won't save you. The bridge allows one posture correction only. In the beep test you must stop and turn at each line, and two warnings end it. Practise to the cadence, not just the count. Our QPS fitness test guide and the beep test audio help you rehearse.

Free tool

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Step 5 is an online panel interview with one or two QPS members, which also decides your entry pathway (for example mainstream recruit or PACE). It comes early in Queensland, before vetting and the medical, so it's your chance to make the case for yourself before the slower checks begin.

Motivation

Example question

Why the Queensland Police Service?

What good looks like

Specific reasons, including what you know about regional service

Integrity

Example question

Tell us about a time you had to report or challenge wrongdoing

What good looks like

A real event, what you did and the outcome

Teamwork

Example question

Describe working with someone you found difficult

What good looks like

What you did to make it work, not just the problem

Resilience

Example question

How do you cope with stress?

What good looks like

Concrete habits and support you actually use

Prepare for	Example question	What good looks like
Motivation	Why the Queensland Police Service?	Specific reasons, including what you know about regional service
Integrity	Tell us about a time you had to report or challenge wrongdoing	A real event, what you did and the outcome
Teamwork	Describe working with someone you found difficult	What you did to make it work, not just the problem
Resilience	How do you cope with stress?	Concrete habits and support you actually use

Format from QPS recruiting extracts; example questions are ours, not QPS's.

Online panels feel informal but aren't. Use a quiet room, a stable connection and a neutral background. Our QPS interview guide covers more questions.

Free tool

Rehearse for the QPS panel

Answer real police interview questions and get an instant STAR score. Two scored answers a day free; A$34.99 for 30 days of full access.

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Queensland splits its suitability checks across several steps, with vetting at both the start and the very end.

Integrity vetting (step 6)

What happens

Background and integrity checks

Pre-Employment Medical Screening (step 7)

What happens

A medical screening; QPS's detailed standards weren't checked for this guide

Psychological assessment (step 8)

What happens

Standardised written personality tests, remotely or at a venue, then a psychological interview

Application and referee checks (step 9)

What happens

Your referees and application details are verified

Pre-appointment integrity vetting (step 13)

What happens

A final check before you start at the academy

Step	What happens
Integrity vetting (step 6)	Background and integrity checks
Pre-Employment Medical Screening (step 7)	A medical screening; QPS's detailed standards weren't checked for this guide
Psychological assessment (step 8)	Standardised written personality tests, remotely or at a venue, then a psychological interview
Application and referee checks (step 9)	Your referees and application details are verified
Pre-appointment integrity vetting (step 13)	A final check before you start at the academy

Step order from the official flowchart; descriptions from recruiting-site extracts.

The psych interview usually explores your test answers and your life history, so think through how you've handled setbacks, relationships and stress. Medical costs aren't published in our sources; ask QPS what you'll pay for before you book anything.

Mainstream recruit training is about eight months at the QPS Academy in Oxley, Brisbane, or in Townsville. A 2023 ministerial statement calls it an "almost eight month" course; the exact week count isn't confirmed.

By our calculation, 70% of the First Year Constable base of $78,505 is about $54,954, and the $183 a fortnight training allowance adds about $4,774, giving roughly $59,728 a year. The recruiting site quotes two conflicting totals, about $53,700 and about $60,000. Existing QPS civilian staff keep their current pay point during training, and PACE recruits are paid more than mainstream recruits.

Our QPS Academy guide covers life at Oxley and Townsville.

At graduation you're sworn in as a First Year Constable on pay point 1.1: $78,505 base from 1 July 2026, or about $94,991 with the 21% OSA if you're on an operational shift roster (QPS's official base rate plus 21%). That's about $2,849 a fortnight after 2026-27 tax, before night shift allowances.

The First Year Constable Program is about 12 months of station-based training under Field Training Officers and an Education and Training Officer. Finishing it moves you to pay point 1.2 ($80,778). Probation is at least 12 months.

Rural and remote service

Queensland pays real money for the bush, and First Year Constables can be posted anywhere in the state.

Rural Locality Incentive Payment

Who gets it

Officers at about 40 rural locations

Amount

$4,000 in year 1, rising to $7,000 a year from year 3

Area Allowance

Who gets it

Officers in 13 Indigenous communities such as Aurukun and Palm Island

Amount

$13,906 a year from 1 July 2026

Incentive	Who gets it	Amount
Rural Locality Incentive Payment	Officers at about 40 rural locations	$4,000 in year 1, rising to $7,000 a year from year 3
Area Allowance	Officers in 13 Indigenous communities such as Aurukun and Palm Island	$13,906 a year from 1 July 2026

Source: QPS Certified Agreement 2025, Schedule 5 and cl 27; Area Allowance at QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment rate. RLIP and Area Allowance can't both be paid.

See the QLD police salary guide for night shift allowances and double-time overtime.

Queensland is one of the most open forces in Australia to experienced police from elsewhere, including overseas.

PACE (Police Abridged/Accelerated Competency Education)

Who it's for

Current or recent (within 5 years) frontline police, including international officers under the labour agreement

Key terms

20 weeks; 3 to 4 intakes a year; paid more than mainstream recruits from day one

Previous police experience

Who it's for

Ex-QPS officers and serving or recent Australian/NZ police

Key terms

Assessed on service length, reason for leaving, conduct, rank, skills and time away; starting pay set by Service policy

Relocation incentive

Who it's for

Interstate and overseas police joining via PACE

Key terms

$20,000

International recruitment

Who it's for

UK, NZ, South African and other overseas police

Key terms

Labour agreement allowing 500 international recruits a year for 5 years from 2023

Pathway	Who it's for	Key terms
PACE (Police Abridged/Accelerated Competency Education)	Current or recent (within 5 years) frontline police, including international officers under the labour agreement	20 weeks; 3 to 4 intakes a year; paid more than mainstream recruits from day one
Previous police experience	Ex-QPS officers and serving or recent Australian/NZ police	Assessed on service length, reason for leaving, conduct, rank, skills and time away; starting pay set by Service policy
Relocation incentive	Interstate and overseas police joining via PACE	$20,000
International recruitment	UK, NZ, South African and other overseas police	Labour agreement allowing 500 international recruits a year for 5 years from 2023

Sources: QPS previous police experience and international recruitment pages (search extracts) and 2023 ministerial statements.

New Zealand officers: in July 2026, during the NZ police pay dispute, QPS ran a social media campaign aimed at Kiwi police. 1News compared Queensland First Year Constable pay of about A$92,000 with an NZ base of NZ$77,481, and reported at least 144 NZ officers had moved to Australia. NZ citizens on a Special Category Visa already meet the residency rule.

UK and other overseas officers enter through PACE under the labour agreement, and a UK passport satisfies the English requirement. The recruiting site says prior experience can lift starting pay to up to $130,000, but that comes from search extracts and we haven't confirmed it. WA's international pathway publishes its rules in more detail if you want to compare.

Queensland is cheap to join. QPS has covered the QPSea since May 2023, the academy is free to live at and you're paid throughout.

Free academy accommodation

Who

All recruits

Detail

No fees for training or pre-selection tests (2023 incentives)

Recruit training allowance

Who

Recruits

Detail

$183 a fortnight on top of 70% of First Year Constable pay

General Duties retention payment

Who

Sworn constables to senior sergeants in a general duties role

Detail

$4,000 on 31 January 2026 and $4,000 on 31 January 2027

HECS incentive

Who

Up to 400 graduates with relevant degrees (2023 scheme)

Detail

Up to $20,000; current status not confirmed

Incentive	Who	Detail
Free academy accommodation	All recruits	No fees for training or pre-selection tests (2023 incentives)
Recruit training allowance	Recruits	$183 a fortnight on top of 70% of First Year Constable pay
General Duties retention payment	Sworn constables to senior sergeants in a general duties role	$4,000 on 31 January 2026 and $4,000 on 31 January 2027
HECS incentive	Up to 400 graduates with relevant degrees (2023 scheme)	Up to $20,000; current status not confirmed

Sources: QPS recruiting extracts, 2023 ministerial statement and the 2025 Certified Agreement.

Your out-of-pocket costs are likely to be the swim certificate (the instructor's fee), travel to assessments, and any medical reports you need. If the QPSea cover conditions don't apply to you, check the fee with ACER. The $8,000 retention payment is paid in two instalments in January 2026 and January 2027 to sworn general duties officers, so a recruit starting now would only be in line for the second one if sworn and in a general duties role by then.

QPS doesn't publish an end-to-end timeline, and we won't invent one. Here's what is known.

1. 1

   Expression of interest and QPSea

   Weeks

   The QPSea can be sat once you register interest, unless you're exempt. Results stay valid for 3 years, according to the recruiting site.

2. 2

   Application to offer

   Not published

   Interview, vetting, medical, psych, checks and quality assurance. Some steps run in parallel. QPS doesn't publish an average duration.

3. 3

   Recruit training

   ≈8 months

   About 8 months at Oxley or Townsville for mainstream recruits (20 weeks for PACE).

4. 4

   First Year Constable Program

   ≈12 months

   About 12 months at a station under Field Training Officers, then pay point 1.2.

Plan for the training to take most of two years before you finish the First Year Constable Program, plus however long the application takes. Graduations through 2026 (January, March, May, July in Townsville, August and October) suggest several intakes a year.

Comparing states? See how to become a police officer in NSW and how to join Victoria Police.