How to become a police officer in Tasmania
from expression of interest to Rokeby

Tasmania Police reached a record 1,479 officers in July 2026 and keeps recruiting on a rolling basis, with several course start dates each year. The process is clearly documented: eight steps, a fitness test with published bands, online psychometric tests, an assessment day and a medical. Tasmania Police says it typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from start to finish, which is quick by Australian standards.

It's also a process where preparation shows. The fitness test is scored in traffic-light colours, the selection criteria statement is written by you (AI tools are banned), and several costs, including the medical, certificates and police check, are yours to pay. Knowing that in advance saves weeks.

Pay is set by the Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated), which already includes a 3% rise from December 2026 and 2.75% from December 2027. For the full pay scale see the Tasmania police salary guide, and for everything else about the force, the Tasmania Police profile.

Two certificates catch people out because they take time to get: a first aid certificate covering HLTAID009, HLTAID010 and HLTAID011, and a swimming certificate from Royal Life Saving Australia or AUSTSWIM. Book both as soon as you decide to apply. Both are at your own cost.

The rules worth reading twice

The education rule depends on when you left school: after 2020 you need Year 12 or a Certificate III; before 2020, Year 10 with a C pass in Maths and English is enough. The tattoo rules are stricter than South Australia's: nothing visible on the neck, face, scalp, ears or hands, and no ear spacers. And Tasmania Police has a zero-tolerance approach to illicit drug use, with every offence, including juvenile matters, to be disclosed.

1. 1

   Expression of interest

   Step 1

   Online, rolling intake. How to prepare: Gather your documents now: licence, ID, school results (TCE or equivalent), and book your first aid (HLTAID009, 010 and 011) and swimming certificate early. Intakes are rolling, so there's no deadline to rush for.

2. 2

   Background checks

   Step 2

   Integrity, criminal and traffic history (including juvenile) and social media. Prior History Offence Guidelines are published. How to prepare: Write down every criminal, traffic and juvenile matter before you apply, and read Tasmania Police's published Prior History Offence Guidelines. Clean up anything on your social media you wouldn't want a recruiting sergeant to read.

3. 3

   Fitness assessment and online suitability testing

   Step 3

   Fitness test in Hobart, Launceston or Burnie (interstate applicants may submit video), and online suitability/psychometric testing completed within 7 days. How to prepare: Train to the 'strong' band, not the minimum, because the test is scored in traffic-light colours. Book a quiet 7-day window for the webcam-proctored online tests. Interstate applicants can submit fitness video, so check the filming rules.

4. 4

   Full application

   Step 4

   Within 14 days: application form, 2-page selection criteria statement, resume, ID, licence, TCE results and certificates. How to prepare: You get 14 days. Draft your two-page selection criteria statement early, in your own words. Tasmania Police says AI tools such as ChatGPT must not be used for written answers, and random checks apply.

5. 5

   Interview and assessment day

   Step 5

   At the Academy, 8am-4pm: group exercise, individual police-incident scenario and a 3-member panel interview (behavioural, personal history, police scenarios). Interstate applicants via Teams. How to prepare: This is a full day at the Academy, 8am to 4pm. Prepare STAR examples for a behavioural panel, expect questions on your personal history, and practise thinking aloud through a police incident scenario. Interstate applicants join by Teams.

6. 6

   Certificates

   Step 6

   National Police Certificate, First Aid and swimming certificates, at the applicant's cost. How to prepare: Order your National Police Certificate as soon as you're asked. It's at your cost, as are first aid and swimming, so budget for them.

7. 7

   Medical

   Step 7

   GP-completed medical package, audiologist hearing test and optometrist eye test at the applicant's cost; specialist reports may be requested. Hearing aids allowed if worn on duty; mental-health history assessed case by case; COVID vaccination no longer required. Blood pressure is taken by the GP. How to prepare: The GP medical package, audiologist hearing test and optometrist eye test are all at your own cost. Check colour vision (Farnsworth D-15) early, and bring specialist reports for any past condition.

8. 8

   Review and selection

   Step 8

   By the Commander and Inspector, Recruiting Services. Offers usually go out about 4 weeks before the course starts; the process typically takes 8-12 weeks. How to prepare: Offers usually go out about four weeks before a course starts. Line up notice with your employer and arrange accommodation if you plan to board at Rokeby.

Steps 3 and 4 run close together: you have seven days to complete the online tests and 14 days to lodge the full application once invited. Have your resume, two-page statement and certificates mostly ready before you lodge the expression of interest, so the deadlines don't squeeze you.

Tasmania Police uses Talogy for its online suitability tests. They are webcam-proctored and you have seven days to complete them once invited. The Talogy tests cover cognitive reasoning, reading comprehension and a personality questionnaire. Separately, the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is reviewed by the department's psychologists and has no pass or fail mark.

Cognitive reasoning

What it measures

Problem-solving with numbers, patterns and logic

How to prepare

Practise timed reasoning sets until the item types feel familiar

Reading comprehension

What it measures

Understanding and drawing conclusions from written material

How to prepare

Read dense, factual writing and summarise it in two sentences

Talogy personality questionnaire

What it measures

Work style and behaviour

How to prepare

Answer honestly and consistently; don't try to fake a profile

PAR Personality Assessment Inventory

What it measures

Psychological suitability, reviewed by psychologists

How to prepare

Nothing to study. Be truthful; it's not pass or fail on its own

Component	What it measures	How to prepare
Cognitive reasoning	Problem-solving with numbers, patterns and logic	Practise timed reasoning sets until the item types feel familiar
Reading comprehension	Understanding and drawing conclusions from written material	Read dense, factual writing and summarise it in two sentences
Talogy personality questionnaire	Work style and behaviour	Answer honestly and consistently; don't try to fake a profile
PAR Personality Assessment Inventory	Psychological suitability, reviewed by psychologists	Nothing to study. Be truthful; it's not pass or fail on its own

Components are from Tasmania Police's online suitability testing page. Preparation advice is ours.

Because the tests are webcam-proctored, set up a quiet room, good lighting and a reliable connection before you start. You can practise reasoning and reading items free with our police entrance exam practice tool, and the Tasmania police entrance test guide covers each part in more depth.

Tasmania Police scores its fitness test in a traffic-light system: below the minimum, acceptable, or strong. The parts are done in this order: broad jump, beep test, Illinois agility run, plank, grip strength, waist measurement and hand-release press-ups. Blood pressure is taken by your GP later, as part of the medical.

Broad jump (metres x bodyweight kg)

Minimum or acceptable

Score of 80 minimum

Strong

Strong: males above 165, females above 105.

Beep test (20m multi-stage fitness test)

Minimum or acceptable

Level 6.01 minimum

Strong

Strong: above 9.01.

Illinois agility run

Minimum or acceptable

Under 22 seconds

Strong

Strong: under 20 seconds.

Plank

Minimum or acceptable

60 seconds minimum

Strong

Strong: 120 seconds (cap).

Grip strength (each hand)

Minimum or acceptable

Males 40-49.9kg, females 20-29.9kg acceptable

Strong

Strong: males 50kg or more, females 30kg or more.

Waist

Minimum or acceptable

Males 94-102cm, females 80-88cm acceptable

Strong

Strong: males under 94cm, females under 80cm. The page does not state what happens above 102/88cm.

Hand-release press-ups (3-second cadence)

Minimum or acceptable

10 reps minimum

Strong

Strong: above 30; cap 40.

BMI

Minimum or acceptable

18.5-34.9 per the fitness test page (fail above 35)

Strong

Conflict: the FAQ page says 18.5-29.9 meets requirements and above 29.9 generally does not.

Test	Minimum or acceptable	Strong
Broad jump (metres x bodyweight kg)	Score of 80 minimum	Strong: males above 165, females above 105.
Beep test (20m multi-stage fitness test)	Level 6.01 minimum	Strong: above 9.01.
Illinois agility run	Under 22 seconds	Strong: under 20 seconds.
Plank	60 seconds minimum	Strong: 120 seconds (cap).
Grip strength (each hand)	Males 40-49.9kg, females 20-29.9kg acceptable	Strong: males 50kg or more, females 30kg or more.
Waist	Males 94-102cm, females 80-88cm acceptable	Strong: males under 94cm, females under 80cm. The page does not state what happens above 102/88cm.
Hand-release press-ups (3-second cadence)	10 reps minimum	Strong: above 30; cap 40.
BMI	18.5-34.9 per the fitness test page (fail above 35)	Conflict: the FAQ page says 18.5-29.9 meets requirements and above 29.9 generally does not.

Test order: broad jump, beep test, Illinois agility, plank, grip, waist, hand-release press. Blood pressure is taken by the GP later. BMI standards conflict between the fitness page (18.5-34.9) and the FAQ (18.5-29.9).

Beep test 6.01 is the floor. Above 9.01 is strong. Train for strong.

The two oddities: the broad jump score and BMI

The broad jump is scored as the distance in metres multiplied by your bodyweight in kilograms, with 80 the minimum, so heavier applicants need less distance for the same score. The BMI rule is unclear: the fitness test page accepts 18.5 to 34.9 and fails above 35, but the FAQ says 18.5 to 29.9 meets requirements. If you're between 30 and 35, ask Recruiting Services which applies before you test.

Hand-release press-ups at a three-second cadence are harder than normal push-ups, because you can't bounce out of the bottom. Practise them to the beat. Interstate applicants can submit video of their test, so check the filming requirements well ahead.

Free tool

Would you pass the Tasmania Police fitness test today?

Enter your beep test level, push-ups and plank time and see your result against Tasmania's standards and the other seven forces.

Check my fitness →

A training plan for each part is in our Tasmania Police fitness test guide, and you can train the shuttle run with our free beep test audio.

If your full application is shortlisted, you're invited to an assessment day at the Academy. It has three parts, and each one shows the assessors something different about you.

1. 1

   Group exercise

   Teamwork

   You work with other applicants on a task. Assessors watch how you listen, contribute, build on others' ideas and keep the group moving. Talking the most rarely wins; helping the group reach a good answer does.

2. 2

   Individual police-incident scenario

   Judgement

   You're given a police situation and asked how you'd handle it. Think aloud: safety first, then the people involved, the information you need, your options and why you'd choose one.

3. 3

   Three-member panel interview

   Panel

   Behavioural questions, questions about your personal history, and police scenarios. Prepare STAR examples for teamwork, integrity, conflict, resilience and communication, and be ready to discuss anything you've disclosed.

Interstate applicants can do the interview by Teams. The personal-history questions are where honesty matters most. If you've disclosed an old offence or a difficult period, the panel will want to hear what you learned, not a defensive answer. Rehearse that answer out loud until it's calm and brief.

Free tool

Rehearse your panel answers

Practise behavioural and scenario questions by typing or speaking and get a STAR score, the top fix and a model answer. Two free scored answers a day.

Start a mock interview →

For likely questions and how to structure answers, read our Tasmania Police interview guide.

Tasmania Police checks your integrity, criminal and traffic history (including juvenile matters) and your social media early in the process, at step 2. It publishes Prior History Offence Guidelines, which are worth reading before you apply so you know how an old matter is likely to be treated.

National Police Certificate

What's involved

Standard national criminal history check

Who pays

You

First Aid Certificate

What's involved

HLTAID009, HLTAID010 and HLTAID011

Who pays

You

Swimming certificate

What's involved

Royal Life Saving Australia or AUSTSWIM

Who pays

You

GP medical package

What's involved

Completed by your GP, including blood pressure

Who pays

You

Hearing test

What's involved

By an audiologist; hearing aids allowed if worn on duty

Who pays

You

Eye test

What's involved

By an optometrist, including Farnsworth D-15 colour vision

Who pays

You

Specialist reports

What's involved

If requested for a past or current condition

Who pays

You

Item	What's involved	Who pays
National Police Certificate	Standard national criminal history check	You
First Aid Certificate	HLTAID009, HLTAID010 and HLTAID011	You
Swimming certificate	Royal Life Saving Australia or AUSTSWIM	You
GP medical package	Completed by your GP, including blood pressure	You
Hearing test	By an audiologist; hearing aids allowed if worn on duty	You
Eye test	By an optometrist, including Farnsworth D-15 colour vision	You
Specialist reports	If requested for a past or current condition	You

From Tasmania Police's recruitment process page. Costs vary by provider and aren't published.

Mental-health history is assessed case by case rather than ruled out automatically, and COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required. Undischarged bankrupts can't apply, while discharged bankrupts can apply after three years.

The recruit course runs for 28 weeks at the Tasmania Police Academy in Rokeby (Hobart), including 6 weeks of practical training at a police station. Some intakes also run a northern course at the University of Tasmania's Newnham campus in Launceston. You can board at the Academy for $225 a fortnight including room and all meals, but living in isn't compulsory.

Training also counts towards a degree: recruits complete 15 of the 24 units of the UTAS Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies). That matters for pay later, because tertiary qualifications help unlock the top Constable levels. If you boarded for all 14 fortnights it would cost about $3,150 on our calculation, less if you live elsewhere during the station placement, so weigh that against renting.

11 January 2027

Location

Academy (Rokeby) and Launceston

22 March 2027

Location

Academy

Printed as '31 June 2027'

Location

Academy and Launceston. This date doesn't exist, so check the real date with Recruiting Services

9 August 2027

Location

Academy

18 October 2027

Location

Academy

Course start	Location
11 January 2027	Academy (Rokeby) and Launceston
22 March 2027	Academy
Printed as '31 June 2027'	Academy and Launceston. This date doesn't exist, so check the real date with Recruiting Services
9 August 2027	Academy
18 October 2027	Academy

From the commencement schedule read on 9 October 2026. The 5 October 2026 course had already started.

More on Academy life, the timetable and what to bring is in our Tasmania Police Academy guide.

Recruits serve their first year on probation. Under the Police Service Act 2003 the Commissioner sets probation of up to 12 months and can extend it. After graduating you are posted to a 24/7 station (Hobart, Glenorchy, Bridgewater, Bellerive, Launceston, Devonport or Burnie) for at least two years, so expect to live within reach of one of those towns.

Tasmania doesn't pay separate shift penalties. Instead, a flat shift and penalty allowance covers all shift, weekend and public holiday work: 28% of normal salary a year on a 24-hour rotating roster, 21% of normal salary a year on a non-24-hour rotating roster and 15% of normal salary a year on other rosters. The take-home figure above is our calculation for Constable Level 1 on the 24-hour roster, with 2026-27 tax and no HELP. Constable Level 1 rises to $75,724 in December 2026.

After Level 2 you move up a level on each anniversary, to Level 12 ($101,487). There's no separate Senior Constable pay scale: the Senior Constable titles each give one accelerated increment. If you already hold an approved bachelor degree earned by independent study before appointment, you move to Level 3 after probation. Try the take-home pay calculator for your own numbers.

After your first two years at a 24/7 station, you can apply for country service. Designated country stations, from Nubeena and Swansea to Strahan and Alonnah, pay an allowance of 37% of normal salary instead of overtime and shift pay, come with a rent-free police residence, and guarantee at least Constable Level 6 pay.

Designated country station allowance

Amount

37% of normal salary

Detail

In lieu of overtime, call-back, shift and meal allowances; rent-free house; minimum pay of Constable Level 6

Isolated community expense: King Island, Flinders Island, Alonnah, Lady Barron

Amount

$11,623.07 a year

Detail

On top of other entitlements

Isolated community expense: West Coast stations and Liawenee

Amount

$7,988.20 a year

Detail

Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan, Zeehan, Waratah, Liawenee

Bass Strait Islands leave fares

Amount

3 return fares a year (member and dependants) to mainland Tasmania

Detail

Member and dependants

Removal expenses on transfer

Amount

Up to $2,904.09

Detail

Plus displacement allowance and other assistance

Incentive	Amount	Detail
Designated country station allowance	37% of normal salary	In lieu of overtime, call-back, shift and meal allowances; rent-free house; minimum pay of Constable Level 6
Isolated community expense: King Island, Flinders Island, Alonnah, Lady Barron	$11,623.07 a year	On top of other entitlements
Isolated community expense: West Coast stations and Liawenee	$7,988.20 a year	Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan, Zeehan, Waratah, Liawenee
Bass Strait Islands leave fares	3 return fares a year (member and dependants) to mainland Tasmania	Member and dependants
Removal expenses on transfer	Up to $2,904.09	Plus displacement allowance and other assistance

Those figures make country service in Tasmania one of the better-paid options for a junior constable, especially with free housing. The trade-off is isolation, on-call demands and, for the Bass Strait islands, distance from family, which is why three return fares a year are included. Compare incentives across the country in our guide to remote and rural policing incentives.

The Accelerated Training Program (ATP) is for sworn officers with at least two years' post-probation service in Australia or New Zealand who left less than four years ago (or less than six if they've stayed in related law enforcement). The course takes 12 weeks, probation is six months, and the next ATP is anticipated in early to mid 2027.

5 years

During ATP training

Level 3: $78,426

On probation

Level 4: $80,875

After probation

Level 5: $83,326

15 years (capped at 12)

During ATP training

Level 10: $95,582

On probation

Level 11: $98,027

After probation

Level 12: $101,487

Sergeant or commissioned officer elsewhere

During ATP training

Level 11: $98,027

On probation

Level 11: $98,027

After probation

At experience level, capped at Level 12

Your experience	During ATP training	On probation	After probation
5 years	Level 3: $78,426	Level 4: $80,875	Level 5: $83,326
15 years (capped at 12)	Level 10: $95,582	Level 11: $98,027	Level 12: $101,487
Sergeant or commissioned officer elsewhere	Level 11: $98,027	Level 11: $98,027	At experience level, capped at Level 12

Tasmania pays ATP recruits two bands below their experience in training, one band below on probation, then at experience level, capped at Constable Level 12. Sergeants and commissioned officers from other forces are paid Level 11 during training and probation.

Rank doesn't transfer, so a Sergeant elsewhere joins as a Constable. Former Tasmania Police officers who left less than two years ago can use the separate Re-Engagement Training Program, which recognises non-commissioned rank and has a probation of at least three months.

Online suitability tests

Typical time

7 days to complete

Source

Tasmania Police

Full application

Typical time

14 days to lodge

Source

Tasmania Police

Whole process

Typical time

8-12 weeks

Source

Tasmania Police

Offer before course start

Typical time

About 4 weeks

Source

Tasmania Police

Recruit course

Typical time

28 weeks

Source

Tasmania Police

Probation

Typical time

First year

Source

Recruitment site and Police Service Act 2003

First posting

Typical time

At least 2 years at a 24/7 station

Source

Tasmania Police postings page

Stage	Typical time	Source
Online suitability tests	7 days to complete	Tasmania Police
Full application	14 days to lodge	Tasmania Police
Whole process	8-12 weeks	Tasmania Police
Offer before course start	About 4 weeks	Tasmania Police
Recruit course	28 weeks	Tasmania Police
Probation	First year	Recruitment site and Police Service Act 2003
First posting	At least 2 years at a 24/7 station	Tasmania Police postings page

Weighing Tasmania against another small force? Compare with how to join SAPOL or how to join NT Police.

Which BMI standard applies. The fitness page says 18.5 to 34.9 (fail above 35), but the FAQ says 18.5 to 29.9.

Who can confirm it

Tasmania Police Recruiting Services

What happens if your waist measurement is above the 'acceptable' band. The fitness page doesn't say.

Who can confirm it

Recruiting Services

The real date of the mid-2027 intake, printed as '31 June 2027'.

Who can confirm it

Recruiting Services

Whether police have received the 'uplift guarantee' promised if other state servants got more in 2026.

Who can confirm it

The Police Association of Tasmania

Employer super rate and default fund for new officers (probably the 12% Superannuation Guarantee, not confirmed).

Who can confirm it

DPFEM or the Tasmanian Treasury

Whether any sign-on or relocation bonus exists for new recruits. We found none.

Who can confirm it

Recruiting Services

Open question	Who can confirm it
Which BMI standard applies. The fitness page says 18.5 to 34.9 (fail above 35), but the FAQ says 18.5 to 29.9.	Tasmania Police Recruiting Services
What happens if your waist measurement is above the 'acceptable' band. The fitness page doesn't say.	Recruiting Services
The real date of the mid-2027 intake, printed as '31 June 2027'.	Recruiting Services
Whether police have received the 'uplift guarantee' promised if other state servants got more in 2026.	The Police Association of Tasmania
Employer super rate and default fund for new officers (probably the 12% Superannuation Guarantee, not confirmed).	DPFEM or the Tasmanian Treasury
Whether any sign-on or relocation bonus exists for new recruits. We found none.	Recruiting Services

Several older Tasmania Police FAQ pages still show the previous trainee rate and "more than $78,000" for a first-year constable. The award figures on this page are current and override them.