How police medicals work in Australia
The medical usually comes late in the recruitment process, after testing and interviews, because it's expensive. Each force sets its own standard, often tied to the national commercial driver medical standards for vision, epilepsy and diabetes. A doctor or occupational physician then decides whether you meet it.
NSW Police
- Who does the medical
- External provider Cogent Thinking
- Who pays
- You: $555.50 initial examination plus any specialist fees
Victoria Police
- Who does the medical
- Audiologist, optometrist or ophthalmologist, and a GP holistic assessment covering 5 years of history
- Who pays
- You pay all costs at this stage
Queensland (QPS)
- Who does the medical
- Approved Pre-Employment Medical Screening (PEMS) providers
- Who pays
- QPS pays base costs; you pay extra reports and reviews
WA Police
- Who does the medical
- Medical to standard P58 plus visual acuity assessment; reviewed by the force's Occupational Physician
- Who pays
- Reimbursed at the final stage with proof of payment
SA Police
- Who does the medical
- Police Medical Section, or a provider it refers you to
- Who pays
- Not stated on the pages read
Tasmania Police
- Who does the medical
- GP medical package, audiologist and optometrist
- Who pays
- You pay
NT Police
- Who does the medical
- Pre-employment medical against NT police medical standards
- Who pays
- Not published
AFP and ACT Policing
- Who does the medical
- External provider (medical and psychological)
- Who pays
- Specialist report costs fall on you
| Force | Who does the medical | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | External provider Cogent Thinking | You: $555.50 initial examination plus any specialist fees |
| Victoria Police | Audiologist, optometrist or ophthalmologist, and a GP holistic assessment covering 5 years of history | You pay all costs at this stage |
| Queensland (QPS) | Approved Pre-Employment Medical Screening (PEMS) providers | QPS pays base costs; you pay extra reports and reviews |
| WA Police | Medical to standard P58 plus visual acuity assessment; reviewed by the force's Occupational Physician | Reimbursed at the final stage with proof of payment |
| SA Police | Police Medical Section, or a provider it refers you to | Not stated on the pages read |
| Tasmania Police | GP medical package, audiologist and optometrist | You pay |
| NT Police | Pre-employment medical against NT police medical standards | Not published |
| AFP and ACT Policing | External provider (medical and psychological) | Specialist report costs fall on you |
Forces publishing full standards
5
VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, AFP
Forces publishing little
3
NSW, WA (partly), NT
Common reference
Commercial driver
national medical standard
Being outside a standard doesn't always end your application. Many standards have a "case by case" category, and forces can ask for specialist reports. But you should know where you stand before you invest months in the process.
Eyesight standards by force
Vision is written as a fraction like 6/9: you can read at 6 metres what a person with standard vision reads at 9 metres. Lower second numbers are better. "Unaided" means without glasses or contacts; "corrected" or "aided" means with them.
Victoria
- Distance vision
- Unaided and aided: each eye at least 6/9, both eyes at least 6/6
- Other
- Near N8; binocular field 140° horizontal
Queensland
- Distance vision
- 6/9 or better in the better eye, corrected if needed; at least 6/36 uncorrected; corrected both eyes 6/6
- Other
- Near N8; fields over 70° horizontal and 20° vertical; double vision doesn't meet the standard
WA
- Distance vision
- Unaided 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other; if below, soft contact lenses correcting to 6/6 both eyes or 6/9 each eye
- Other
- Horizontal peripheral vision 70° each side
SA
- Distance vision
- 6/9 or better in the better eye and 6/18 or better in the worse eye, with or without glasses (current FAQ)
- Other
- A 2021 FAQ said the worse eye had to meet 6/18 without correction; the current FAQ says with or without
Tasmania
- Distance vision
- Both eyes 6/9, with or without aid
- Other
- Near N8; monocular vision excluded; fields 85° horizontal, 20° vertical
AFP
- Distance vision
- Unaided 6/36 both eyes and each eye; aided 6/6 both eyes and 6/9 each eye
- Other
- Near N8; blindness in one eye doesn't meet the standard
NT
- Distance vision
- Corrected vision within certain parameters is acceptable
- Other
- No figures published
NSW
- Distance vision
- No current standard published
- Other
- A 2019 form from a previous provider referred to commercial driving standards and near N9; treat as historical
| Force | Distance vision | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Unaided and aided: each eye at least 6/9, both eyes at least 6/6 | Near N8; binocular field 140° horizontal |
| Queensland | 6/9 or better in the better eye, corrected if needed; at least 6/36 uncorrected; corrected both eyes 6/6 | Near N8; fields over 70° horizontal and 20° vertical; double vision doesn't meet the standard |
| WA | Unaided 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the other; if below, soft contact lenses correcting to 6/6 both eyes or 6/9 each eye | Horizontal peripheral vision 70° each side |
| SA | 6/9 or better in the better eye and 6/18 or better in the worse eye, with or without glasses (current FAQ) | A 2021 FAQ said the worse eye had to meet 6/18 without correction; the current FAQ says with or without |
| Tasmania | Both eyes 6/9, with or without aid | Near N8; monocular vision excluded; fields 85° horizontal, 20° vertical |
| AFP | Unaided 6/36 both eyes and each eye; aided 6/6 both eyes and 6/9 each eye | Near N8; blindness in one eye doesn't meet the standard |
| NT | Corrected vision within certain parameters is acceptable | No figures published |
| NSW | No current standard published | A 2019 form from a previous provider referred to commercial driving standards and near N9; treat as historical |
The biggest difference is the unaided floor. The AFP and Queensland let you have quite poor uncorrected vision (6/36) as long as glasses or contacts bring you to the standard. WA and Victoria set much tighter unaided figures, which matters if you rely on glasses.
Get your eyes tested before you apply
An optometrist can tell you your unaided and corrected acuity in one visit. Ask for the figures in 6/x format for each eye and both together, and compare them with your force's row above.
Colour vision: Ishihara, D-15 and what fails
Most forces start with Ishihara plates (the dotted-number test) and send anyone with errors to further testing such as the Farnsworth D-15. The key distinction is the type of colour deficiency: protan (red) or deutan (green).
Victoria
- Test
- Ishihara 24-plate; 3+ errors go to Medmont C100 and D-15
- What fails or passes
- 2 or fewer errors suitable; moderate or severe deutan, or any protan defect, not suitable
Queensland
- Test
- Ishihara 24-plate
- What fails or passes
- 4 or more errors is a failure and leads to further testing; colour-correcting lenses not permitted
SA
- Test
- Not specified
- What fails or passes
- Only mild deutan colour vision accepted
Tasmania
- Test
- Ishihara and Farnsworth D-15
- What fails or passes
- Must pass both (the FAQ mentions the D-15)
AFP
- Test
- Testing with D-15
- What fails or passes
- Mild to moderate protan doesn't meet; deutan with a D-15 pass likely to meet
NT
- Test
- Not specified
- What fails or passes
- Assessed case by case; not automatically disqualifying
NSW, WA
- Test
- No current standard published
- What fails or passes
- Ask the recruiting team
| Force | Test | What fails or passes |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Ishihara 24-plate; 3+ errors go to Medmont C100 and D-15 | 2 or fewer errors suitable; moderate or severe deutan, or any protan defect, not suitable |
| Queensland | Ishihara 24-plate | 4 or more errors is a failure and leads to further testing; colour-correcting lenses not permitted |
| SA | Not specified | Only mild deutan colour vision accepted |
| Tasmania | Ishihara and Farnsworth D-15 | Must pass both (the FAQ mentions the D-15) |
| AFP | Testing with D-15 | Mild to moderate protan doesn't meet; deutan with a D-15 pass likely to meet |
| NT | Not specified | Assessed case by case; not automatically disqualifying |
| NSW, WA | No current standard published | Ask the recruiting team |
If you know you're colour blind, find out which type before applying. An optometrist can usually tell you. A mild deutan defect is acceptable in several forces; a protan defect closes the door in Victoria and the AFP.
Glasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery
Glasses and contacts are generally fine if they bring you to the standard, but several forces set conditions. SA and the AFP require polycarbonate lenses in glasses. Victoria and the AFP want contacts you can wear for 12 hours; WA asks for a report showing you tolerate soft contacts over 10 hours. Victoria doesn't accept multifocal contacts or monovision (one lens for distance, one for near).
Victoria
- Wait after surgery before applying or assessment
- More than 3 months after LASIK, LASEK, PRK or SMILE; more than 6 months after clear lens extraction or AC-PIOL; more than 1 year after PC-PIOL; radial keratotomy excludes
Queensland
- Wait after surgery before applying or assessment
- 3 months after LASIK or LASEK
Tasmania
- Wait after surgery before applying or assessment
- At least 3 months after LASIK or LSEK; 6 months after PRK
AFP
- Wait after surgery before applying or assessment
- 3 months (some procedures 6 months); radial keratotomy and retinal detachment don't meet the standard
NSW, WA, SA, NT
- Wait after surgery before applying or assessment
- No current waiting period published
| Force | Wait after surgery before applying or assessment |
|---|---|
| Victoria | More than 3 months after LASIK, LASEK, PRK or SMILE; more than 6 months after clear lens extraction or AC-PIOL; more than 1 year after PC-PIOL; radial keratotomy excludes |
| Queensland | 3 months after LASIK or LASEK |
| Tasmania | At least 3 months after LASIK or LSEK; 6 months after PRK |
| AFP | 3 months (some procedures 6 months); radial keratotomy and retinal detachment don't meet the standard |
| NSW, WA, SA, NT | No current waiting period published |
Planning laser surgery? Book it at least three months before your medical, and keep the surgeon's report.
Hearing standards and hearing aids
Hearing is tested with pure-tone audiometry across the speech frequencies (roughly 500 Hz to 4 kHz). The thresholds are in decibels: a lower number means you hear quieter sounds.
Victoria
- Standard
- All thresholds 25 dB or less in each ear at 500 Hz, 1, 2 and 3 kHz; borderline results can be cleared with a normal LISN-S test
- Hearing aids
- Only if you meet the standard without them
Queensland
- Standard
- 35 dB or less in both ears at 500 Hz to 4 kHz, without aids
- Hearing aids
- A supplementary noise discrimination test can be passed with aids
AFP
- Standard
- 25 dB or less in both ears from 500 Hz to 3 kHz, and 40 dB or less at 4 kHz, without aids
- Hearing aids
- A hearing aid or cochlear implant won't meet the standard
Tasmania
- Standard
- 30 dB from 0.5 to 4 kHz, with a 40 dB figure at 4 kHz (the 2026 table is partly misprinted)
- Hearing aids
- Case by case in the 2026 standard; the FAQ says you must wear them on duty if needed to pass
SA
- Standard
- Thresholds not published
- Hearing aids
- Not allowed
NSW, WA, NT
- Standard
- No thresholds published
- Hearing aids
- Not stated
| Force | Standard | Hearing aids |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | All thresholds 25 dB or less in each ear at 500 Hz, 1, 2 and 3 kHz; borderline results can be cleared with a normal LISN-S test | Only if you meet the standard without them |
| Queensland | 35 dB or less in both ears at 500 Hz to 4 kHz, without aids | A supplementary noise discrimination test can be passed with aids |
| AFP | 25 dB or less in both ears from 500 Hz to 3 kHz, and 40 dB or less at 4 kHz, without aids | A hearing aid or cochlear implant won't meet the standard |
| Tasmania | 30 dB from 0.5 to 4 kHz, with a 40 dB figure at 4 kHz (the 2026 table is partly misprinted) | Case by case in the 2026 standard; the FAQ says you must wear them on duty if needed to pass |
| SA | Thresholds not published | Not allowed |
| NSW, WA, NT | No thresholds published | Not stated |
Tasmania's two pages disagree on hearing aids, as they do on BMI. If you wear aids and want to join Tasmania Police, ask Recruiting Services for a written answer before you pay for an audiologist.
BMI and waist measurements
Body mass index (weight in kg divided by height in metres squared) is a blunt measure: it can't tell muscle from fat. Forces use it differently, from a hard limit to a screening flag.
AFP
- BMI rule
- Under 33; under 20 case by case
- Other measures
- None stated
SA
- BMI rule
- 30 or less
- Other measures
- Above 30, body fat % and waist-to-hip ratio are reviewed
Tasmania
- BMI rule
- 2026 standard: 18.5-29.9 green, under 18.5 or 30-34.9 orange (still passes), 35+ red (fail)
- Other measures
- Waist: 102 cm or less (men), 88 cm or less (women)
Queensland
- BMI rule
- Screening only, not in itself a reason for exclusion
- Other measures
- Waist and fitness also considered
Victoria, NSW, WA, NT
- BMI rule
- No BMI figure on current official pages
- Other measures
- Ask the recruiting team
| Force | BMI rule | Other measures |
|---|---|---|
| AFP | Under 33; under 20 case by case | None stated |
| SA | 30 or less | Above 30, body fat % and waist-to-hip ratio are reviewed |
| Tasmania | 2026 standard: 18.5-29.9 green, under 18.5 or 30-34.9 orange (still passes), 35+ red (fail) | Waist: 102 cm or less (men), 88 cm or less (women) |
| Queensland | Screening only, not in itself a reason for exclusion | Waist and fitness also considered |
| Victoria, NSW, WA, NT | No BMI figure on current official pages | Ask the recruiting team |
Tasmania's BMI conflict
Tasmania Police publishes different BMI rules in different places. Our data file records: 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. Its February 2026 health standards agree with the fitness page (35 or more fails), but the FAQ still says a BMI above 29.9 generally won't meet the requirements. Until the FAQ is updated, assume a BMI of 30-34.9 may draw extra scrutiny and ask Recruiting Services to confirm.
If you're muscular with a high BMI, SA's approach (checking body fat and waist-to-hip ratio above 30) is the one most likely to look past the number. Under the AFP's hard limit of 33, it's simply a cut-off.
Check your fitness against your force's test
Enter your beep test level, push-ups and other results and see how you stack up against each force's published fitness standards. Free.
Blood pressure and heart health
Blood pressure is checked at the medical (Tasmania says the GP takes it). Several forces publish thresholds, and treated high blood pressure doesn't always rule you out.
AFP
Under 140/90
medication allowed
Queensland
Over 140/90 referred
treated may meet standard
Victoria
Stage 1 fit
140-159 / 90-99 mmHg
Tasmania
130/80 green
140/90 or more red
SA asks applicants over 40 for fasting blood tests and an ECG. If your readings are borderline, get them checked by your GP several times before the medical: a single high reading on a nervous day is common, and your doctor can tell you whether it's a pattern.
Injuries and medical conditions
Three areas trip up the most applicants: knee and shoulder injuries, epilepsy, and diabetes. Asthma is usually manageable. These are the published rules.
ACL rupture
- Victoria
- Not covered in the standards we read
- Queensland
- Unrepaired doesn't meet; after repair, a year back at full activity
- AFP
- Needs surgical repair plus 12 months
- Others
- TAS: unrepaired ACL case by case
Shoulder dislocation
- Victoria
- Repaired at least 12 months earlier; unrepaired: 5 years since last (first before 40) or 2 years (first after 40)
- Queensland
- Unrepaired doesn't meet; a year back at full activity after repair
- AFP
- Repair plus 12 months; a single dislocation over 5 years ago may meet
- Others
- TAS: unrepaired recurrent dislocation excluded
Epilepsy
- Victoria
- 10 years seizure-free by default; 5 years after a first seizure; no anticonvulsants
- Queensland
- 10 years seizure- and medication-free
- AFP
- 10 years seizure-free
- Others
- WA: 10 years (benign childhood epilepsy excepted). SA and TAS: commercial licence standard
Diabetes
- Victoria
- 3-month tamper-resistant meter log required
- Queensland
- HbA1c on four occasions over 12 months; pumps may be suitable
- AFP
- HbA1c eight or less on 4 tests
- Others
- SA: commercial driver standard
Asthma
- Victoria
- Inhaled steroids: bronchodilator response under 12% or 200 ml
- Queensland
- Oral steroids fail; low-dose inhaled preventer likely OK
- AFP
- Long-term oral steroids fail; childhood asthma OK after 3 symptom-free years
- Others
- SA: management plan and spirometry. TAS: low-dose inhaled steroids permitted
| Condition | Victoria | Queensland | AFP | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACL rupture | Not covered in the standards we read | Unrepaired doesn't meet; after repair, a year back at full activity | Needs surgical repair plus 12 months | TAS: unrepaired ACL case by case |
| Shoulder dislocation | Repaired at least 12 months earlier; unrepaired: 5 years since last (first before 40) or 2 years (first after 40) | Unrepaired doesn't meet; a year back at full activity after repair | Repair plus 12 months; a single dislocation over 5 years ago may meet | TAS: unrepaired recurrent dislocation excluded |
| Epilepsy | 10 years seizure-free by default; 5 years after a first seizure; no anticonvulsants | 10 years seizure- and medication-free | 10 years seizure-free | WA: 10 years (benign childhood epilepsy excepted). SA and TAS: commercial licence standard |
| Diabetes | 3-month tamper-resistant meter log required | HbA1c on four occasions over 12 months; pumps may be suitable | HbA1c eight or less on 4 tests | SA: commercial driver standard |
| Asthma | Inhaled steroids: bronchodilator response under 12% or 200 ml | Oral steroids fail; low-dose inhaled preventer likely OK | Long-term oral steroids fail; childhood asthma OK after 3 symptom-free years | SA: management plan and spirometry. TAS: low-dose inhaled steroids permitted |
Summarised from the official standards linked in the sources. Each document has more detail and exceptions; always read your force's own standard.
Other exclusions worth knowing: SA doesn't accept a colostomy or ileostomy, and may require stretched earlobes to be surgically repaired. Queensland's standard says autism is deemed unsuitable; the AFP assesses ADHD and autism against the job's inherent requirements.
Medications that cause problems
Some medications are excluded because of what they treat, others because of side effects on safety (for example, bleeding risk if you're injured). Disclose everything you take, including supplements and anything prescribed overseas.
Medications named in published standards
- ✓ Anticoagulants: unlikely to meet (AFP), not permitted (SA; aspirin is OK), excluded (TAS)
- ✓ Opioids: excluded in Tasmania's 2026 standard
- ✓ Antidepressants: excluded if taken in the past 24 months (TAS); two years medication-free (QLD)
- ✓ Psychotropic medication: 12 months off and stable (AFP, SA)
- ✓ Anticonvulsants: must not be required (VIC)
- ✓ Roaccutane (isotretinoin): fails the AFP standard while taken
- ✓ Weight-loss drugs in the last 6 months: case by case (TAS)
- ✓ ADHD stimulants: case by case (AFP); 2 years off medication (QLD)
Never stop a medication just to pass
Stopping some medications suddenly is dangerous. The AFP says withdrawal must be supervised by a doctor. Talk to your prescriber about your plans and timing, and let them decide what's safe.
Mental health history
Mental health is assessed in both the medical and the psychological assessment. The rules range from Victoria's "not grounds for exclusion if treated and resolved or stable" to Queensland's two-year medication-free rule and five-year stability rule for psychosis or major mood disorders.
Usually helps
- ✓Full, honest disclosure with dates
- ✓A letter from your treating practitioner on your recovery and stability
- ✓Evidence of coping well since (work, study, sport)
- ✓Applying once you're clearly past any stability period
Usually hurts
- ✕Leaving out treatment the force later finds
- ✕Stopping medication without medical supervision
- ✕Applying in the middle of treatment to 'get in early'
- ✕Downplaying a history the records contradict
Our full guide to police psychological assessment sets out each force's mental-health and medication rules and what happens if you're found unsuitable. If you're struggling right now, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, and in an emergency call 000.
Vaccinations and infectious disease
COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a condition of entry in the forces that comment on it. SA says it has no policy requiring applicants to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Tasmania says vaccination is strongly encouraged but you no longer need to provide evidence. The AFP lists influenza and COVID-19 as recommended, not required.
AFP
- Required
- Measles-mumps-rubella, varicella, hepatitis B (with immunity test), whooping cough; meningococcal for ages 18-24; TB screening
- Recommended or other
- Influenza and COVID-19 recommended; vaccination costs reimbursed when you start at the College
Victoria
- Required
- Hepatitis B completed before the Academy
- Recommended or other
- No COVID statement found
Queensland
- Required
- Hepatitis B immunisation
- Recommended or other
- Acute COVID-19 infection doesn't meet the standard; past infection with full recovery does
SA
- Required
- Not stated
- Recommended or other
- No COVID-19 vaccination requirement
Tasmania
- Required
- Not stated
- Recommended or other
- COVID-19 strongly encouraged, no evidence required
| Force | Required | Recommended or other |
|---|---|---|
| AFP | Measles-mumps-rubella, varicella, hepatitis B (with immunity test), whooping cough; meningococcal for ages 18-24; TB screening | Influenza and COVID-19 recommended; vaccination costs reimbursed when you start at the College |
| Victoria | Hepatitis B completed before the Academy | No COVID statement found |
| Queensland | Hepatitis B immunisation | Acute COVID-19 infection doesn't meet the standard; past infection with full recovery does |
| SA | Not stated | No COVID-19 vaccination requirement |
| Tasmania | Not stated | COVID-19 strongly encouraged, no evidence required |
An NT booklet from 2022 listed COVID-19 vaccination as required. It's not linked from current NT pages and is probably out of date; check with NT Police Recruiting.
How to prepare for your police medical
Most medical failures are predictable. A few appointments before you apply can save you months.
- 1
Find your force's standard
Victoria, Queensland, SA, Tasmania and the AFP publish detailed documents (linked below). Read the sections that apply to you.
- 2
Get your eyes and hearing checked
An optometrist visit gives you acuity and a colour screen. If you've had noise exposure, get a hearing test too. Compare the numbers with the tables above.
- 3
Gather your records
Surgery reports (knee, shoulder, eyes), specialist letters and medication history. Victoria asks about the past five years; Queensland and the AFP want evidence of repairs and recovery periods.
- 4
Sort out what you can
Time laser surgery at least 3 months before the medical, finish ACL or shoulder rehab, and see your GP about blood pressure or weight well in advance.
- 5
Ask about grey areas in writing
If you're near a cut-off or your force's pages conflict (as Tasmania's do), email the recruiting team and keep the reply.
Then put the rest of the process in order: practise for the entrance tests (SA, Tasmania, NT, AFP), train for the fitness test with our fitness pass plan, and if standards rule out one force, use the force-finder quiz to compare the others. Each force's overview has its pay and conditions: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, AFP.
Free email alerts
Know when a force changes its medical standards
Tasmania rewrote its health standards in February 2026 and its FAQ still disagrees. We read every force's standards documents and email you when eyesight, BMI or medication rules change.
- ✓Alerts when medical standards change, force by force
- ✓Plain-English summaries of what it means for you
Frequently asked questions
What eyesight do you need to be a police officer in Australia?
It depends on the force. Victoria requires 6/9 in each eye and 6/6 with both eyes, with or without correction. Queensland requires 6/9 in the better eye with correction and at least 6/36 uncorrected. WA requires 6/9 and 6/18 unaided, or contact lenses that correct to 6/6. The AFP requires 6/36 unaided and 6/6 corrected.
Can you be a police officer if you're colour blind?
Sometimes. Most forces test with Ishihara plates and then further tests. Victoria and the AFP say protan (red) defects don't meet the standard, while milder deutan (green) defects may. SA accepts only mild deutan colour vision. NT assesses colour blindness case by case and says it isn't automatically disqualifying.
How long after LASIK can I apply for the police?
Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the AFP all set at least 3 months after LASIK or similar surgery. Victoria requires 6 months after clear lens extraction and a year after some implant lenses; Tasmania requires 6 months after PRK; the AFP says some procedures need 6 months. Radial keratotomy is excluded in Victoria and by the AFP.
Is there a BMI limit to join the police?
In some forces. The AFP requires a BMI under 33. SA asks for 30 or less, then looks at body fat and waist-to-hip ratio above that. Tasmania's 2026 standard fails a BMI of 35 or more. Queensland says BMI is a screening test only and not a reason for exclusion on its own.
Can you join the police with hearing aids?
Usually not if you need them to pass. The AFP says a hearing aid or cochlear implant won't meet its standard, and SA doesn't allow hearing aids. Victoria allows aids only if you meet the standard without them. Queensland has a supplementary noise test that can be passed with aids, and Tasmania lists them as case by case.
Who pays for the police medical?
It depends on the force. NSW applicants pay, with an initial fee of $555.50 plus specialist reports. Victoria and Tasmania applicants pay. Queensland covers the base costs. WA reimburses the medical and vision costs at the final stage. The AFP charges specialist report costs to the applicant.
Can I join the police with asthma?
Often, if it's well controlled. Queensland says a low-dose inhaled preventer is likely to be fine with normal spirometry, but asthma needing oral steroids isn't. The AFP accepts childhood asthma after three symptom-free years with normal spirometry. SA asks for an asthma management plan and spirometry.
Can I join the police if I have epilepsy?
Only after a long seizure-free period. Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA and the AFP set 10 years seizure-free as the default, and Queensland also requires 10 years off medication. Victoria allows 5 years after a single first seizure. Tasmania follows the commercial licence standard.
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.
- Victoria Police: Visual System Medical Standard (Oct 2025) — acuity, colour, refractive surgery, fields
- Victoria Police: Audiology Medical Standard (Aug 2025) — 25 dB thresholds, hearing aids
- Victoria Police: Medical assessments and medical guidelines — who does it, applicant pays, 5-year history; condition standards at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/medical-guidelines
- QPS: Health Standards Extract (Dec 2025) — vision, hearing, BMI, conditions, medication and mental health
- QPS Recruiting: Health standards — PEMS providers and who pays
- AFP: Recruitment Health Assessment Standards (Jan 2026) — vision, hearing, BMI, conditions, vaccinations
- AFP: Application process — health assessment, mental health stability
- SA Police: Medical FAQs — BMI, vision, colour, hearing aids, conditions
- SA Police: Recruitment process — Police Medical Section, COVID statement
- Tasmania Police: Physical Health Standards for Police Applicants (Feb 2026) — BMI, waist, BP, vision, hearing, medications
- Tasmania Police: FAQs and entry requirements — BMI 18.5-29.9 statement, hearing aids, cost and COVID at https://recruitment.police.tas.gov.au/recruitment-process/entry-requirements/
- WA Police Force: Recruitment process and FAQs — P58 standard, vision, reimbursement; FAQs at https://letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au/help-hub/faqs
- WA Police Force: Reimbursement for applicants — from 15 Aug 2023
- NSW Police Force: Physical and medical checks; costs — Cogent Thinking, applicant pays; $555.50 fee at https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/application_process/costs
- UHG: NSW Police vision assessment form (2019, previous provider) — historical only
- NTPFES: Recruitment FAQ — case-by-case conditions, vision and colour
Related guides
Joining the police
More in this series
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.