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Moving to Australia · Overseas officers

Police officers moving to Australia
every force, every country, every route

Whether you serve in London, Dublin, Toronto, Auckland or Johannesburg, this is where to start: which Australian forces will recruit you, on what visa, how much of your service counts, and how long the move takes. Every rule was checked on the forces' own pages on 9 October 2026.

Updated 9 October 2026 20 min read Sources checked 9 October 2026 Independent, not advice

The short answer

Three Australian forces sponsor overseas police: WA (UK and Ireland, under 55, 13-week course), SAPOL (UK incl. BTP, Ireland, Guernsey and five Canadian services, under 45, 15 weeks) and Queensland (any country, under 55, 18 to 20 weeks). NZ officers can join six forces without a sponsored visa. Victoria needs PR first; the AFP needs citizenship.

Forces sponsoring visas

3

WA, SA and Queensland

Visa they use

Subclass 186

permanent, labour agreement stream

Highest age limit

Under 55

WA and Queensland

Shortest course

13 weeks

WA (12 weeks in NSW and Tas for NZ officers)

Contents +
  1. 1The short answer
  2. 2Which forces take which countries
  3. 3Every force's pathway
  4. 4Sponsored campaigns vs applying as a resident
  5. 5Visas overview
  6. 6How your service is recognised
  7. 7What experienced officers are paid
  8. 8Costs and reimbursements
  9. 9Timeline
  10. 10Guidance by country
  11. 11If no force recruits from your country
  12. 12Every guide in this series
  13. 13FAQs
  14. 14Sources

Which Australian police forces recruit overseas officers?

Three sponsor visas, six take New Zealanders, and one needs citizenship.

Three Australian forces now recruit experienced police from overseas with a sponsored permanent visa: WA Police, South Australia Police (SAPOL) and the Queensland Police Service. WA launched Australia's first overseas police campaign in October 2022; Queensland's labour agreement followed in February 2023, and SAPOL's Transition Program has since graduated 207 experienced officers.

Sponsor a visa

3 forces

WA, SA, Queensland

Take NZ officers

7 forces

all except the AFP

QLD international places

500 a year

5 years from 2023

Need PR first

Victoria

recognises UK, NZ and Australian service

Each sponsoring force runs a shortened transition course (13 to 20 weeks instead of 7 to 11 months), a shorter probation, and pay that reflects your service. Rank almost never transfers. This hub compares them side by side and links to a detailed guide for each force and each country.

Checked on 9 October 2026

We read WA's and SAPOL's international pages directly. Queensland's recruiting site blocked automated reading that day, so its terms come from search extracts of its pages and QPS news releases, which we flag. Overseas rules change often; check the force's page before you apply.

Latest

Victoria's plan to recruit UK officers: what the Coalition's proposal would mean for UK, Irish and NZ officers.

The UK side of the move

Coming from the UK? Our sister site's guide covers the UK side of the move: your police pension, resignation and notice, and rejoining later. Read Transferring to the Australian police from the UK on Police Pay UK.

Which forces take officers from which countries?

Find your country, then read across.

Australian police pathways by country of service

United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, NI)

WA Police
Yes (not BTP, military police or Specials)
SAPOL
Yes (BTP included; not CNC or military police)
Queensland
Yes (labour agreement)
Victoria
Only with PR or citizenship
NSW, Tas, NT
No overseas pathway
AFP
No (citizens only)

Republic of Ireland

WA Police
Yes
SAPOL
Yes
Queensland
Yes
Victoria
Not listed
NSW, Tas, NT
No overseas pathway
AFP
No

Guernsey

WA Police
Not listed: ask
SAPOL
Yes
Queensland
Yes (any country)
Victoria
Not listed
NSW, Tas, NT
No overseas pathway
AFP
No

New Zealand

WA Police
Yes (no visa needed)
SAPOL
Yes (up to $10,000 relocation)
Queensland
Yes ($20,000 relocation)
Victoria
Yes (with exceptions)
NSW, Tas, NT
Yes (NSW PMP, Tas ATP, NT ARP)
AFP
No (citizens only)

Canada

WA Police
No
SAPOL
Yes (RCMP, OPP, Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg only)
Queensland
Yes
Victoria
No
NSW, Tas, NT
No
AFP
No

United States

WA Police
No
SAPOL
No
Queensland
Yes (US passport counts for English)
Victoria
No
NSW, Tas, NT
No
AFP
No

South Africa

WA Police
No
SAPOL
No
Queensland
Yes (English test needed)
Victoria
No
NSW, Tas, NT
No
AFP
No

Any other country

WA Police
No
SAPOL
No
Queensland
Yes (2023 agreement: any country)
Victoria
No
NSW, Tas, NT
No
AFP
No

Sources: WA Let's Join Forces international pages and FAQ; SAPOL international applicants page and FAQ; QPS international recruitment page (search extract), 2023 ministerial statement and October 2024 QPS news; Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, NT and AFP recruitment pages via our force data files. Read 9 October 2026. BTP = British Transport Police; CNC = Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Two things stand out. First, Queensland is the only force open to officers outside the UK, Ireland, Guernsey, Canada and New Zealand: its 2023 agreement covers experienced officers from any country, and its October 2024 PACE cohort included officers from South Africa, Hungary and the USA. Second, New Zealanders have the most choice, because the 444 visa means no sponsorship is needed.

WA excludes British Transport Police; SAPOL names it as eligible.

Within the UK, the details matter. WA excludes BTP, military police, Special Constables and volunteers. SAPOL accepts BTP but excludes the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and military police. Queensland doesn't publish an exclusion list, so ask.

Every force's overseas pathway, compared

Visa, age, service, course and status in one table.

All eight forces' pathways for experienced officers

WA Police

Pathway (who)
International transition (UK, Ireland); NZ and interstate
Visa
186, sponsored
Age
Under 55 at nomination
Service needed
3 years by nomination (apply from 2y 8m)
Course
13 weeks
Status
Open

SAPOL

Pathway (who)
Transition Program (UK, Guernsey, Ireland, Canada, NZ)
Visa
186, sponsored (not NZ)
Age
Under 45 at visa application
Service needed
3+ continuous years in the last 5
Course
15 weeks
Status
Open

Queensland

Pathway (who)
International recruitment and PACE (any country)
Visa
186, sponsored; PR before academy
Age
Under 55 at visa application
Service needed
3+ years incl. 24 months operational
Course
18–20 weeks
Status
Open (500 places a year)

Victoria

Pathway (who)
Recognition of prior service (Australia, NZ, UK)
Visa
None: must be PR or citizen
Age
No upper limit
Service needed
Operational police
Course
Individual plan
Status
PR needed

NSW

Pathway (who)
Professional Mobility Program (Australia, NZ)
Visa
None
Service needed
Generally 1+ year after probation
Course
12 weeks
Status
Not for overseas

Tasmania

Pathway (who)
Accelerated Training Program (Australia, NZ)
Visa
None
Service needed
2+ years post-probation
Course
12 weeks
Status
Not for overseas

NT

Pathway (who)
Accelerated Recruitment Program (Australia, NZ)
Visa
None; NT doesn't sponsor
Service needed
2+ years at Constable
Course
Within 12 months' probation
Status
Not for overseas

AFP

Pathway (who)
None open (Skilled Police Program closed)
Visa
None
Service needed
Australian citizens only
Status
Closed

Sources as above, read 9 October 2026. Age limits come from each force's labour agreement and apply to the visa stage. Victoria's, NSW's, Tasmania's and the NT's pathways are for officers who already have the right to live and work in Australia.

For the three sponsoring forces, our detailed guides go through every rule, cost and step: UK police to WA Police, UK police to SAPOL and UK police to Queensland. If you're already in Australia with another force, see our interstate transfer guide.

Free tool

Which Australian force suits you?

Answer seven questions about pay, climate, location and lifestyle. The quiz flags the forces with an overseas pathway.

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Sponsored campaigns vs applying as a resident

Two very different ways in, and which one you're on depends on your visa.

Route 1: a sponsored recruitment campaign. WA, SAPOL and Queensland have labour agreements with the Australian Government. They assess you from overseas, nominate you for a permanent 186 visa, credit your service and put you through a short transition course. This is the route for almost every serving officer outside Australia and New Zealand.

Route 2: a standard application as a resident. If you're already an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or (for most forces) a New Zealand citizen, you can apply to any force like any other candidate. Experienced officers then use that force's lateral or transition program where one exists; otherwise you join as a new recruit and do the full academy.

Sponsored campaign

  • ✓Permanent visa for you and your family, nominated by the force.
  • ✓Selection done remotely from home.
  • ✓Short transition course and shorter probation.
  • ✓Some costs reimbursed; Queensland pays $20,000.

Standard application as a resident

  • ✕Any force is open to you, including Victoria's prior-service recognition.
  • ✕No labour-agreement age limit, but no sponsorship either.
  • ✕Outside the transition programs, service may not count and you'd do the full academy.
  • ✕You fund your own visa, by another route.

A third, special route applies to New Zealanders: the 444 visa lets you apply as a resident, and six forces run transition programs that recognise NZ service. See our guide for NZ officers.

Visas: what overseas officers actually use

The 186 for sponsored officers, the 444 for New Zealanders.

The three sponsoring forces nominate you for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, Labour Agreement stream. Home Affairs says it lets you live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, sponsor eligible relatives and apply for citizenship if eligible. Its main applicant charge is from A$6,140, and its age rule is under 45 "unless the labour agreement provides otherwise".

The two visas overseas police use

Who

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
Officers nominated by WA, SAPOL or the QPS
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
New Zealand citizens

Type

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
Permanent
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
Temporary in name; granted on arrival

Cost

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
From A$6,140 (main applicant)
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
Free

Family

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
Partner and dependent children on the same application
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
Each NZ citizen gets their own

Age

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
Set by the force's labour agreement (under 45 to under 55)
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
No age rule

Citizenship

Subclass 186 (Labour Agreement)
Possible once you meet the residence rules
Subclass 444 (Special Category)
Direct pathway since 1 July 2023

Sources: Home Affairs subclass 186 Labour Agreement stream page (updated 24 September 2026) and subclass 444 page, read 9 October 2026. General information, not migration advice.

The 444 is "temporary" in name, but since 1 July 2023 New Zealand citizens who hold it can apply directly for Australian citizenship once they meet the residence rules. The 186 is permanent from the day it's granted, so sponsored officers and their families can enrol in Medicare and work straight away. Nobody we checked uses the temporary 482 visa for police.

Citizenship still matters after you join

WA says some sensitive investigative and intelligence roles need a national security clearance, which only Australian citizens can hold. The AFP recruits Australian citizens only. If either matters to your long-term plans, factor in the time to citizenship. Our visa guide for police officers covers the residence rules.

How each force recognises your service

Pay usually follows your years; rank usually doesn't.

Recognition of prior service, by force

WA

How service counts for pay
Year by year: 3 years = Constable 4th year ($99,900), 4 = 5th year ($102,263); 5+ years moves to First Class Constable pay after exams, up to $109,553
Rank on entry
Capped at Constable 5th year on entry; exams to First Class and Senior Constable

SA

How service counts for pay
100% of continuous active service, capped at 7 years, for probation and Constable increments ($86,125 to $102,491)
Rank on entry
Former substantive Sergeants can apply for Senior Constable ($102,990) after probation

Queensland

How service counts for pay
Set by Service policy (cl 89); First Year Constable pay can be lifted for experience, QPS says up to $130k
Rank on entry
First Year Constable; 2023 statement mentions expediting to Senior Constable

Victoria

How service counts for pay
Skills-gap plan; starting increment not published
Rank on entry
Not published

NSW (Australia/NZ only)

How service counts for pay
Rank recognised
Rank on entry
Up to Senior Constable (from $115,290 incl. loading)

Tasmania (Australia/NZ only)

How service counts for pay
Up to 12 years: $78,426 to $101,487 after probation
Rank on entry
Rank doesn't transfer

NT (Australia/NZ only)

How service counts for pay
Increment for completed years, capped at 10+: $92,330 (3 years) to $103,977 base
Rank on entry
Constable or Constable First Class

Sources: force recruitment pages via our data files and the pages read for this hub; pay from each force's current pay table. NSW, Tasmania and NT figures apply to Australian and NZ officers only.

The pattern is consistent: Australian forces credit your experience for pay but appoint you at Constable level, then let you progress through their own exams or promotion processes. WA's published table is the clearest; Queensland's is set case by case. Our UK rank and service recognition guide goes rank by rank.

What experienced officers are paid

Starting points under each overseas pathway, from each force's pay table.

WA, 4+ years

$102,263

Constable 5th year

SA, in training

$83,398

Probationary Constable

QLD, First Year Constable

$78,505

base at 1.1; up to $96,528 at 1.6

These are base salaries. Shift pay works differently in each state: WA pays flat dollar amounts per shift, SAPOL's response roster carries a 23% allowance, and Queensland's operational officers get a 21% Operational Shift Allowance. Employer super is on top: 18% in Queensland and at least 12% in WA and SA.

For a sense of scale, the England and Wales constable maximum was £50,256 from September 2025. As an illustration only, at the RBA's rate on 9 October 2026 (A$1 = £0.5270) that's about A$95,362. A straight conversion ignores tax, pensions and living costs; see UK vs Australia police pay and, for UK figures, Police Pay UK's 2026/27 pay scales.

Free tool

Compare pay across all eight forces

Line up every force's pay stage by stage with employer super, then check take-home in the state you're considering.

Compare police pay →

Costs and what each force reimburses

Visa charges add up fast for families.

What the sponsoring forces pay back

WA

Reimbursed
Main applicant's visa (A$6,140) + A$300 on starting
Not reimbursed
Family visas, accommodation during the course
Extra help
Salary packaging of relocation costs

SA

Reimbursed
Visa, pre-medicals, physical assessments and police clearances for you and dependent family
Not reimbursed
Specialist medicals, flights, accommodation
Extra help
NZ officers: up to $10,000 relocation

Queensland

Reimbursed
Main applicant's visa application charge
Not reimbursed
Medicals, card fees, family visas
Extra help
$20,000 relocation incentive in two taxable instalments

Sources: WA international recruitment page and FAQ; SAPOL international FAQ; QPS international page (search extract) and recruiting site. Read 9 October 2026.

WA lists the 186 charges as A$6,140 for the main applicant, A$3,070 for each extra applicant aged 18+ and A$1,535 per child. For a couple with two children that's A$12,280 before flights and shipping. SAPOL reimburses the family's visa costs; WA and Queensland reimburse the main applicant only. Our cost of living guide covers rents and bills city by city.

How long the move takes

Roughly a year in WA and SA, longer in Queensland.

Timeline by sponsoring force

Selection

WA
Processing 6–8 weeks; 3 online stages
SA
At least 8 weeks, all remote
Queensland
Not published

Visa

WA
2–6 months (WA's estimate)
SA
Home Affairs timing
Queensland
PR must be granted before the academy

Course

WA
13 weeks
SA
15 weeks
Queensland
18–20 weeks

Probation

WA
6 months
SA
6, 9 or 12 months
Queensland
First Year Constable Program, about 12 months

Our estimate, enquiry to end of probation

WA
14–21 months
SA
15–34 months
Queensland
23–35 months

Sources: each force's international pages. Totals are our estimates and exclude your UK notice period.

  1. 1

    Check the hard rules

    Week 1

    Your country and service, age at the visa stage, years of service and any break in service.

  2. 2

    Get your records together

    Weeks 1–4

    Service, training, sickness and conduct records, licence history and police certificates.

  3. 3

    Apply and pass selection

    Months 1–4

    Online or phone interviews, psych and aptitude tests, fitness and medical.

  4. 4

    Nomination and visa grant

    Months 3–9

    Include your family. Don't resign until it's granted.

  5. 5

    Move, train and complete probation

    Year 1

    Transition course, then probation at your posting.

Our month-by-month timeline adds notice periods, pension paperwork and school terms.

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Practise for an Australian panel interview

Every force's selection includes a behavioural interview. Practise with an instant STAR score and model answer.

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Guidance by country

The realistic options from where you serve now.

United Kingdom

You have three sponsored options: WA, SAPOL and Queensland. Under 45 with family? SAPOL's family reimbursement is hard to beat. Aged 45 to 54? WA or Queensland. BTP? SAPOL. Start with our UK officers' flagship guide, and use Police Pay UK for your pension.

Republic of Ireland and Guernsey

Gardaí can apply to WA, SAPOL or Queensland. Guernsey officers are named by SAPOL and covered by Queensland's any-country agreement; WA doesn't list Guernsey, so ask. See Irish Garda to Australian police.

New Zealand

No sponsorship needed: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and the NT all have routes, with courses from 12 weeks. See NZ police officers moving to Australia.

Canada, the USA, South Africa and elsewhere

SAPOL accepts five named Canadian services; Queensland accepts experienced officers from any country, with English shown by a UK, US, Canadian, NZ or Irish passport or a test score. Read Canadian police to Australia, US police officers moving to Australia, South African police to Australia and Commonwealth officers.

United Kingdom UK police officers moving to Australia The flagship guide: forces, visas, pay and your pension. New Zealand NZ police officers moving to Australia The 444 visa and the six forces that recognise NZ service. Ireland Irish Garda to Australian police WA, SA and Queensland pathways for gardaí. Canada Canadian police to Australian police SAPOL's five named services and Queensland. United States US police officers moving to Australia Queensland's labour agreement and what else is realistic. South Africa South African police to Australia Queensland, English testing and the visa route. Commonwealth Commonwealth police officers moving to Australia Other countries: what's open and what isn't. Any country Can foreign police officers join Australian police? The short answer, force by force.

If no force recruits from your country

The longer route: residency first, then a standard application.

If your service isn't covered by WA's or SAPOL's lists and Queensland's English or experience rules don't fit, there's no sponsored police route for you right now. The alternative is to get Australian permanent residency some other way, then apply as a new recruit. Most forces have no upper age limit for recruits, and the AFP needs citizenship.

Before you give up

  • ✓ Check Queensland's any-country rule and its English options
  • ✓ Ask whether your service is 'compatible' (WA) or 'approved' (SA)
  • ✓ Check whether a partner's visa could give you work rights
  • ✓ Look at Victoria's prior-service recognition once you hold PR
  • ✓ Read each force's recruit eligibility: citizen, PR or NZ citizen
  • ✓ Join our alert list: forces add countries without much notice

Our guide for foreign police officers goes through every option, and police eligibility requirements covers the standard recruit rules in each state.

Every guide in the moving-to-Australia series

Force by force, country by country, and topic by topic.

Start with your force, then use the topic guides for visas, pay, pensions, family and the move itself. If you're already serving in Australia and want to move state, read the interstate transfer guide instead.

By force, for UK officers

WA UK police to WA Police 13-week course, under 55, service recognised to Constable 5th year. SA UK police to SAPOL BTP accepted, 15-week course, family visa costs reimbursed. Queensland UK police to Queensland PACE course, $20,000 relocation, PR before the academy. Victoria UK police to Victoria Police Prior service recognised, but only once you hold PR. NSW UK police to NSW Police Why there's no overseas pathway, and what you can do instead. NT UK police to NT Police The ARP is Australia and NZ only: your options. Tasmania UK police to Tasmania Police The ATP and the route in once you have PR. AFP UK police to the AFP Citizenship rules and the long route in.

By topic

Visas Australian visas for police officers The 186 labour agreement visa, costs, family and citizenship. Recognition UK rank and service recognition How each force credits your service and rank. Pay UK vs Australia police pay Rank-by-rank pay and take-home, with labelled exchange rates. Pension Your UK police pension in Australia Deferred benefits, transfers and tax. Cost of living Cost of living for police Rents, bills and childcare city by city. Family Moving with family Partner work, Medicare, schools and childcare. Timeline Timeline and checklists Month by month from enquiry to swearing in. Practicalities Practical first steps Licence, bank, tax file number, renting and shipping.
Already in Australia Police interstate transfer in Australia Moving between Australian forces: what transfers and what doesn't. UK sister site Police Pay UK UK police pay scales, pensions and what leaving means for you.

Free email alerts

Overseas police recruitment campaigns, the day they open

One email when any Australian force opens, pauses or changes a pathway for overseas officers: new countries, age limits, course dates, visa and reimbursement changes, and campaigns aimed at UK, Irish, Canadian and NZ police.

  • ✓Every force's overseas rule changes, verified
  • ✓New campaigns the day they open

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Frequently asked questions

Which Australian police forces recruit overseas officers?

Three forces sponsor overseas police for a permanent visa: WA Police (UK and Ireland), SA Police (UK including British Transport Police, Guernsey, Ireland and five Canadian services) and the Queensland Police Service (experienced police from any country). New Zealand officers can also join NSW, Tasmania and the NT without sponsorship. Victoria recognises overseas service only once you're a permanent resident.

Can a foreign police officer join the Australian police?

Yes, if you meet one force's overseas pathway. Queensland's labour agreement covers experienced officers from any country, subject to English, age and experience rules. WA and SAPOL accept a narrower list of countries. Otherwise you'd need Australian permanent residency or citizenship and would usually join as a new recruit, unless Victoria recognises your service.

What visa do overseas police officers need for Australia?

The forces that sponsor overseas officers nominate you for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, Labour Agreement stream, which is permanent from grant and covers your partner and children. Home Affairs lists the main applicant's charge from A$6,140. New Zealand citizens use the Special Category (subclass 444) visa they receive on arrival instead.

What is the age limit for overseas police joining Australian forces?

WA requires you to be under 55 at visa nomination and Queensland under 55 when you apply for the 186 visa. SAPOL's limit is lower: under 45 when you lodge and pay for the visa application. These come from each force's labour agreement, which can override the 186 visa's usual under-45 rule. Ordinary recruit entry has no upper age limit in most forces.

Does my overseas police service count in Australia?

In the forces with overseas pathways, yes, but rank rarely transfers. WA maps completed years to a Constable pay year and lets you sit exams for First Class and Senior Constable. SAPOL credits up to 7 years for probation and pay increments. Queensland sets your pay point by policy and says experience can lift First Year Constable pay to up to $130,000.

Which Australian police force is best for UK officers?

It depends on your age, service and family. WA has the shortest course (13 weeks), a published service-to-pay table and a limit of under 55. SAPOL accepts British Transport Police and reimburses family visa costs, but needs you to be under 45. Queensland offers $20,000 relocation and 18% employer super but publishes the least detail on pay.

Can American police officers join Australian police?

Only Queensland currently has a route open to US officers: its 2023 labour agreement covers experienced police from any country, and a US passport held as a citizen counts as proof of English. QPS said its October 2024 PACE cohort included former US officers. WA and SAPOL don't list US services, and the AFP requires Australian citizenship.

How long does it take to move from an overseas police force to Australia?

By our estimate, including 1 to 2 months to give notice and move: about 14 to 21 months from first enquiry to the end of probation in WA, 15 to 34 months in SA (the visa is the swing factor), and 23 to 35 months in Queensland, which includes its 12-month first-year program and requires permanent residency before the academy. See our month-by-month timeline for the working.

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. Let's Join Forces (WA): International Transitional Officer, eligibility and recruitment — service recognition table, visa reimbursement, age limit; read 9 October 2026
  2. Let's Join Forces (WA): Transitional Officers Hub — eligible countries, 6-8 week processing, recognition table, FAQs
  3. Let's Join Forces (WA): FAQs, Transition Officers - International — under 55 at nomination, 3 years by nomination, BTP exclusion, visa costs
  4. SAPOL: International applicants — eligible services, remote process, recognition of prior service; read 9 October 2026
  5. SAPOL: International applicants, frequently asked questions — age, visa, 15-week program, $83,398, reimbursement
  6. QPS Recruiting: International police recruitment — site blocked automated reading on 9 October 2026; terms taken from search extracts of this page
  7. Queensland Government ministerial statement: Queensland lures international police talent under new agreement (23 February 2023) — 500 international recruits a year for 5 years
  8. QPS News: QPS inducts its largest ever cohort of international and interstate officer transfers (17 October 2024) — 18-week PACE, 78 officers, countries
  9. QPS News: Kiwi cops, Queensland's got your back (3 July 2026) — 20-week PACE, $20,000 bonus
  10. Victoria Police: Prior interstate and international policing experience
  11. NSW Police Force recruitment: Professional Mobility Program
  12. Tasmania Police Recruitment: Accelerated Training Program
  13. NTPFES: Accelerated Recruitment Program
  14. NTPFES: Recruitment FAQ
  15. AFP: Skilled police program
  16. AFP: Eligibility
  17. Home Affairs: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Labour Agreement stream — from A$6,140; under 45 unless the labour agreement provides otherwise; page updated 24 September 2026
  18. Home Affairs: Special Category visa (subclass 444)
  19. Reserve Bank of Australia: exchange rates, table F11.1 — A$1 = £0.5270 on 9 October 2026; illustration only
  20. GOV.UK: Police Remuneration Review Body report 2026, England and Wales — constable scale from 1 September 2025
  21. Police Pay UK (our sister site)

Related guides

Transferring between Australian forces → What happens if you want to move state later. Police pay in Australia 2026 → Every force's pay, side by side. Police Pay UK → Our UK sister site: UK police pay and pensions.

Joining the police

More in this series

Moving to Australia UK police officers moving to Australia Which forces recruit serving UK officers, the 186 visa, how your service and pay convert, your UK pension, Medicare and a step-by-step plan. Moving to Australia NZ police officers moving to Australia The 444 visa, which forces recognise NZ service, transition courses, pay at your experience level and the 2026 Queensland campaign. Moving to Australia UK police to WA Police WA's international transition: under 55, 13-week course, the year-by-year service-to-pay table, visa costs and regional postings. Moving to Australia UK police to Queensland Police QPS's labour agreement and PACE course: eligibility, PR before the academy, the $20,000 incentive and what the $130k pay claim needs. Moving to Australia UK police to SA Police SAPOL's Transition Program: BTP accepted, under 45, remote selection, family visa costs reimbursed and up to 7 years' service credited. Moving to Australia UK police to NT Police Why the NT's Accelerated Recruitment Program and visa rules shut out UK officers today, and the routes that get you there: another force first, or PR then recruit. Moving to Australia UK police to Tasmania Police Tasmania's 12-week ATP is for Australian and NZ officers only. Residency rules, the stepping-stone route, recruit pay and how experience is paid. Moving to Australia UK police to Victoria Police Victoria recognises UK service but needs citizenship or PR. The $5,000 election pledge flagged, the PSO route, process, pay and realistic routes. Moving to Australia UK police to NSW Police No international lateral route: the PMP is Australia and NZ only. The degree requirement, fees for permanent residents, pay and the stepping-stone route.
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.