How do you get into a specialist police unit?
Join, serve in general duties, then compete for a place.
No Australian force recruits the public straight into its tactical, dog, water, forensic or cyber units. Everyone joins as a recruit, graduates as a constable and works general duties first. Specialist vacancies are then advertised internally and filled on merit, often through a selection course.
Entry point
Constable
all units recruit internally
Typical wait
2–3 years
general duties first
Selection
Competitive
fitness, psych and interviews
Forces publish surprisingly little about how individual units select officers. Victoria, Tasmania and the AFP are the most open. For most units in NSW, Queensland, WA, SA and the NT, the published information covers what the unit does, not how to get in. Where nothing is published, we say so.
If you're still deciding which force to join
The larger forces (NSW, Victoria, Queensland) run more specialist units than the smaller ones, so it's worth checking which units a force has before you join. Our force profiles compare them.
How much service do you need before applying?
Here's what each force publishes about the general duties time needed before you can apply for a specialist role.
- Rule before applying
- 2 to 4 years of general duties, depending on the unit
- Source
- Official specialist areas page
- Rule before applying
- At least 2 years of general duties
- Source
- Official specialist positions page
- Rule before applying
- 3 years of general duties, then internal merit-based vacancies
- Source
- Official FAQ (search summary)
- Rule before applying
- 2 years as a police officer or PSO for tactical and canine roles
- Source
- Official role pages
- Rule before applying
- Probation finished and permanently appointed; selection on merit
- Source
- Official FAQ (search summary)
- Rule before applying
- 12 months in frontline general duties (stated for transferees)
- Source
- Official ARP page (search summary)
- Rule before applying
- Not published; units recruit 'experienced' frontline officers
- Source
- Official careers page
- Rule before applying
- Not published officially; further physical and psychometric testing for most commands
- Source
- Official page (search summary)
| Force | Rule before applying | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Police | 2 to 4 years of general duties, depending on the unit | Official specialist areas page |
| Tasmania Police | At least 2 years of general duties | Official specialist positions page |
| QPS | 3 years of general duties, then internal merit-based vacancies | Official FAQ (search summary) |
| AFP | 2 years as a police officer or PSO for tactical and canine roles | Official role pages |
| SAPOL | Probation finished and permanently appointed; selection on merit | Official FAQ (search summary) |
| NT Police | 12 months in frontline general duties (stated for transferees) | Official ARP page (search summary) |
| WA Police | Not published; units recruit 'experienced' frontline officers | Official careers page |
| NSW Police | Not published officially; further physical and psychometric testing for most commands | Official page (search summary) |
NSW search summaries also mention eligibility from Senior Constable rank for some units; we couldn't confirm this on an official page.
The minimum is only the starting point. Selection panels look for officers who've shown the skills the unit needs: good driving records for highway patrol, calm decision-making for tactical teams, careful scene work for forensics. Use your general duties years to build that record.
Tactical units in every force
Every force has a full-time or part-time tactical unit for sieges, high-risk arrests and counter-terrorism. They're the hardest specialist units to get into.
NSW
- Unit
- Tactical Operations Unit (TOU)
- What's published about entry
- No published minimum service or selection course
Victoria
- Unit
- Special Operations Group (SOG)
- What's published about entry
- At least 2 years on the road; a 13-week program including psychological, job-based physical and mechanical-reasoning tests (Victoria Police podcast)
Victoria
- Unit
- Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
- What's published about entry
- 2 years of general duties plus an elite level of fitness
Queensland
- Unit
- Special Emergency Response Team (SERT)
- What's published about entry
- Vetting and psych testing, a 14-day pre-selection, then a 14-week course (QPS museum article, 2023)
WA
- Unit
- Tactical Response Group (TRG)
- What's published about entry
- A rigorous selection course; no length or standard published
SA
- Unit
- STAR Group
- What's published about entry
- Above-average performance in all major skills; selection course details not published
Tasmania
- Unit
- Special Operations Group (SOG)
- What's published about entry
- 2 years of general duties; full-time since August 2024 (secondary sources)
NT
- Unit
- Territory Response Group (TRG)
- What's published about entry
- Nothing official published
AFP
- Unit
- Specialist Response Group (Tactical Response Operator)
- What's published about entry
- 2 years as police or PSO; a published fitness battery (below)
| Force | Unit | What's published about entry |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) | No published minimum service or selection course |
| Victoria | Special Operations Group (SOG) | At least 2 years on the road; a 13-week program including psychological, job-based physical and mechanical-reasoning tests (Victoria Police podcast) |
| Victoria | Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) | 2 years of general duties plus an elite level of fitness |
| Queensland | Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) | Vetting and psych testing, a 14-day pre-selection, then a 14-week course (QPS museum article, 2023) |
| WA | Tactical Response Group (TRG) | A rigorous selection course; no length or standard published |
| SA | STAR Group | Above-average performance in all major skills; selection course details not published |
| Tasmania | Special Operations Group (SOG) | 2 years of general duties; full-time since August 2024 (secondary sources) |
| NT | Territory Response Group (TRG) | Nothing official published |
| AFP | Specialist Response Group (Tactical Response Operator) | 2 years as police or PSO; a published fitness battery (below) |
Victoria's SOG detail comes from an official Victoria Police podcast; Queensland's from an official museum article. Neither is a formal recruitment rule. An NT TRG fitness trial described on a third-party fitness site is not shown because we couldn't confirm it.
Victoria's SOG says neither military experience nor CIRT service is required, which surprises many applicants. Tasmania's SOG became full-time in August 2024, according to secondary sources. In NSW, Tactical Operations Unit officers are paid an allowance of $7,928 to $19,820 a year depending on level.
What fitness do tactical units need?
Only the AFP publishes a full tactical fitness battery. It gives a good idea of the standard every tactical unit expects, well beyond recruit entry tests.
AFP Tactical Response Operator fitness tests
- ✓ 3 chin-ups wearing a 17 kg vest.
- ✓ Drag an 80 kg dummy 80 metres in the vest.
- ✓ Three flights of stairs and a 30 m leopard crawl in full kit.
- ✓ Tread water for 10 minutes in clothes, then swim 400 m.
- ✓ A 10 km pack march carrying 25 kg plus water and a rifle.
Victoria's CIRT asks for an "elite level of fitness" without numbers. Victoria's SOG program includes job-based physical tests, and Queensland's SERT pre-selection runs for 14 days. Compare that with recruit entry, where the beep test target is between level 5 and 7 in most forces.
Recruit fitness gets you in the door. Tactical selection is a different sport: strength under load, swimming and endurance with kit.
Build your base fitness first
Get a week-by-week plan to pass your force's recruit fitness test with a margin, the foundation for any specialist selection later. A$24.99, one-off.
Dog squads, water police and highway patrol
These are some of the most popular specialist roles, and also among the least documented. Here's what's published.
Dog units
- What forces publish
- Vic Dog Squad: 2 years GD. Tas Dog Handlers Squad: 2 years GD, highly competitive. AFP Canine Handler: 2 years as police or PSO. NSW Dog Unit, QPS Dog Squad, WA Canine Section, SAPOL Dog Operations, NT Dog Operations: no unit rule published.
Water police and marine
- What forces publish
- Vic Water Police Squad: 2 years GD; Vic Search and Rescue: 2 years, below Sergeant, with a recreational diving certificate. Tas Marine and Rescue Services: 2 years GD. NSW Marine Area Command, QPS Water Police, WA Water Police, NT Water Police: no rule published.
Highway patrol and road policing
- What forces publish
- Vic Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section: open from Constable upwards. WA probationers can work with the breath and drug operations unit. NSW Highway Patrol, QPS Road Policing, NT Traffic and Major Crash: no entry rule published.
| Unit type | What forces publish |
|---|---|
| Dog units | Vic Dog Squad: 2 years GD. Tas Dog Handlers Squad: 2 years GD, highly competitive. AFP Canine Handler: 2 years as police or PSO. NSW Dog Unit, QPS Dog Squad, WA Canine Section, SAPOL Dog Operations, NT Dog Operations: no unit rule published. |
| Water police and marine | Vic Water Police Squad: 2 years GD; Vic Search and Rescue: 2 years, below Sergeant, with a recreational diving certificate. Tas Marine and Rescue Services: 2 years GD. NSW Marine Area Command, QPS Water Police, WA Water Police, NT Water Police: no rule published. |
| Highway patrol and road policing | Vic Road Policing Drug and Alcohol Section: open from Constable upwards. WA probationers can work with the breath and drug operations unit. NSW Highway Patrol, QPS Road Policing, NT Traffic and Major Crash: no entry rule published. |
GD = general duties. 'No rule published' means we found the unit described officially, but no entry requirements.
Dog handling is a long commitment: the NT pays its dog handlers an allowance that, by our reading of the agreement, covers time off duty caring for the dog. In Queensland, dog handlers receive an allowance of 12% of the Senior Constable 2.5 rate. NSW pays highway patrol officers a Grade 1 Special Duties Allowance of $1,602 a year after six months.
Forensics, cyber crime and counter-terrorism
Investigative specialist units tend to value qualifications and detective experience more than fitness.
Forensics and crime scene
- What forces publish
- Vic Crime Scene Group: entry at Senior Constable, no detective qualification needed. Tas Crime Scene Officers: 2 years GD. WA forensic investigators usually build skills in general policing and detective work. NSW, QPS, SAPOL, NT: no entry rule published.
Cyber crime
- What forces publish
- NSW Cybercrime Squad: almost all investigators are designated detectives (NSW Parliament, 2021). Vic Cybercrime Squad: open to police and public servants. Others: no officer entry rule published.
Counter-terrorism
- What forces publish
- Joint Counter Terrorism Teams in each state and territory combine AFP officers, state police and partner agencies. No force publishes how officers join one.
| Unit type | What forces publish |
|---|---|
| Forensics and crime scene | Vic Crime Scene Group: entry at Senior Constable, no detective qualification needed. Tas Crime Scene Officers: 2 years GD. WA forensic investigators usually build skills in general policing and detective work. NSW, QPS, SAPOL, NT: no entry rule published. |
| Cyber crime | NSW Cybercrime Squad: almost all investigators are designated detectives (NSW Parliament, 2021). Vic Cybercrime Squad: open to police and public servants. Others: no officer entry rule published. |
| Counter-terrorism | Joint Counter Terrorism Teams in each state and territory combine AFP officers, state police and partner agencies. No force publishes how officers join one. |
Forensic roles can pay well once you're qualified. NSW pays a Forensic Services expert allowance of $23,248 a year, and WA pays a forensic qualifications allowance of 10% of base salary to officers with a diploma or higher, 4 years' forensic experience, who give expert evidence. Many forensic and cyber roles also employ civilians, so check whether the role you want is sworn.
If investigations appeal, read our guide to becoming a detective, which covers designation and detective allowances.
What do specialist units pay?
Specialist allowances are paid on top of salary and vary widely. These are the rates in each force's current agreement or award.
NSW
- Unit or allowance
- Tactical Operations Unit
- Rate
- $7,928 (Level 1) to $19,820 (Level 3) a year
NSW
- Unit or allowance
- Special Duties Allowance Grade 1 (e.g. Highway Patrol)
- Rate
- $1,602 a year after 6 months
NSW
- Unit or allowance
- Grade 3 (e.g. crime scene, surveillance, negotiators, crash investigators)
- Rate
- $4,004 rising to $5,617 after 5 years
NSW
- Unit or allowance
- Grade 4 (e.g. divers, cybercrime Advanced Capability Unit)
- Rate
- $6,798 rising to $10,400 after 5 years
NSW
- Unit or allowance
- Forensic Services expert allowance
- Rate
- $23,248 a year
Victoria
- Unit or allowance
- Disturbance Allowance 2 (e.g. SOG, covert, surveillance, undercover)
- Rate
- $18,194 a year (Operational Readiness rate)
Victoria
- Unit or allowance
- Disturbance Allowance 1
- Rate
- $9,705 a year (Operational Readiness rate)
Queensland
- Unit or allowance
- SERT allowance
- Rate
- $0 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate)
Queensland
- Unit or allowance
- Dog handler allowance (12% of Senior Constable 2.5)
- Rate
- $12,687 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate)
Queensland
- Unit or allowance
- PolAir tactical flight officers
- Rate
- $0 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate)
Queensland
- Unit or allowance
- Rural and Stock Crime Squad
- Rate
- 41%, all-inclusive
WA
- Unit or allowance
- Tactical Response Group
- Rate
- 10% of base salary (about $12,456 at the top of Senior Constable calc)
WA
- Unit or allowance
- Forensic qualifications allowance
- Rate
- 10% of base salary (diploma, expert evidence and 4 years' forensic experience)
SA
- Unit or allowance
- STAR Group and Water Operations
- Rate
- $1,526 a year (from 1 January 2024), plus the 18.5% Flexible Shiftwork Allowance for listed areas
Tasmania
- Unit or allowance
- Special Operations Group shift and penalty allowance
- Rate
- 26% of normal salary a year
Tasmania
- Unit or allowance
- Specialist Allowance Levels 1–5
- Rate
- L1 FT $671 rising to $1,007 after 2 years (secondary $904 to $1,242); L2 FT $1,342 to $2,013 (secondary $1,753 to $2,421); L3 FT $2,684 to $3,355 (secondary $3,326 to $3,880); L4 FT $4,026 to $4,698 (secondary $4,845 to $5,515); L5 (SOG) $6,538 to $7,209; a year
NT
- Unit or allowance
- Territory Response Group
- Rate
- 5% of top Senior Constable First Class salary (7 weeks leave table) a year
NT
- Unit or allowance
- Dog handlers
- Rate
- 12% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable
AFP
- Unit or allowance
- Rapid Deployment Allowance
- Rate
- $10,000 a year for roles that must be ready to deploy
| Force | Unit or allowance | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Tactical Operations Unit | $7,928 (Level 1) to $19,820 (Level 3) a year |
| NSW | Special Duties Allowance Grade 1 (e.g. Highway Patrol) | $1,602 a year after 6 months |
| NSW | Grade 3 (e.g. crime scene, surveillance, negotiators, crash investigators) | $4,004 rising to $5,617 after 5 years |
| NSW | Grade 4 (e.g. divers, cybercrime Advanced Capability Unit) | $6,798 rising to $10,400 after 5 years |
| NSW | Forensic Services expert allowance | $23,248 a year |
| Victoria | Disturbance Allowance 2 (e.g. SOG, covert, surveillance, undercover) | $18,194 a year (Operational Readiness rate) |
| Victoria | Disturbance Allowance 1 | $9,705 a year (Operational Readiness rate) |
| Queensland | SERT allowance | $0 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate) |
| Queensland | Dog handler allowance (12% of Senior Constable 2.5) | $12,687 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate) |
| Queensland | PolAir tactical flight officers | $0 a year (from 1 July 2026, QPS official rate) |
| Queensland | Rural and Stock Crime Squad | 41%, all-inclusive |
| WA | Tactical Response Group | 10% of base salary (about $12,456 at the top of Senior Constable calc) |
| WA | Forensic qualifications allowance | 10% of base salary (diploma, expert evidence and 4 years' forensic experience) |
| SA | STAR Group and Water Operations | $1,526 a year (from 1 January 2024), plus the 18.5% Flexible Shiftwork Allowance for listed areas |
| Tasmania | Special Operations Group shift and penalty allowance | 26% of normal salary a year |
| Tasmania | Specialist Allowance Levels 1–5 | L1 FT $671 rising to $1,007 after 2 years (secondary $904 to $1,242); L2 FT $1,342 to $2,013 (secondary $1,753 to $2,421); L3 FT $2,684 to $3,355 (secondary $3,326 to $3,880); L4 FT $4,026 to $4,698 (secondary $4,845 to $5,515); L5 (SOG) $6,538 to $7,209; a year |
| NT | Territory Response Group | 5% of top Senior Constable First Class salary (7 weeks leave table) a year |
| NT | Dog handlers | 12% of the hourly rate of a top-increment Senior Constable |
| AFP | Rapid Deployment Allowance | $10,000 a year for roles that must be ready to deploy |
Queensland's figures are QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) rates from 1 July 2026. SA's rates are the last in the 2021 agreement; increases after January 2024 aren't confirmed. 'calc' marks our calculation from the published percentage.
Some of these replace other pay. SA's Flexible Shiftwork Allowance is paid instead of shift and weekend penalties, and Tasmania's SOG allowance is in lieu of shift and penalties. Queensland's Rural and Stock Crime Squad rate is described as all-inclusive. Compare total pay, not just the allowance.
See what an allowance is worth after tax
Add an allowance to any force's salary and see your fortnightly take-home pay with 2026-27 tax rates.
Tasmania's specialist allowance: which roles pay what
Tasmania's 2026 award is unusually clear about which specialist roles attract which allowance, so it's a useful map of how forces value different specialist skills. The allowance has five levels and rises after two years in the role. The award sets a full-time (FT) rate and a separate 'secondary' rate for most levels.
Level 1
- Roles
- crash investigators, POMT, bomb scene examiners
- Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets)
- L1 FT $671 rising to $1,007 after 2 years (secondary $904 to $1,242)
Level 2
- Roles
- advanced crash, dignitary protection, PTU, SOG support, OSIs
- Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets)
- L2 FT $1,342 to $2,013 (secondary $1,753 to $2,421)
Level 3
- Roles
- drone pilots, negotiators, bomb response, search and rescue, crash analysts
- Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets)
- L3 FT $2,684 to $3,355 (secondary $3,326 to $3,880)
Level 4
- Roles
- SAR mission controllers, senior drone pilots, surveillance
- Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets)
- L4 FT $4,026 to $4,698 (secondary $4,845 to $5,515)
Level 5
- Roles
- SOG
- Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets)
- L5 (SOG) $6,538 to $7,209
| Level | Roles | Rate (full-time; secondary in brackets) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | crash investigators, POMT, bomb scene examiners | L1 FT $671 rising to $1,007 after 2 years (secondary $904 to $1,242) |
| Level 2 | advanced crash, dignitary protection, PTU, SOG support, OSIs | L2 FT $1,342 to $2,013 (secondary $1,753 to $2,421) |
| Level 3 | drone pilots, negotiators, bomb response, search and rescue, crash analysts | L3 FT $2,684 to $3,355 (secondary $3,326 to $3,880) |
| Level 4 | SAR mission controllers, senior drone pilots, surveillance | L4 FT $4,026 to $4,698 (secondary $4,845 to $5,515) |
| Level 5 | SOG | L5 (SOG) $6,538 to $7,209 |
FT = full-time. Rates are annual and rise after 2 years. SOG team leader +$671. Not cumulative. Forensic Services has its own four-level allowance.
The pattern is familiar from other forces. Tactical work sits at the top, followed by surveillance, search and rescue control and drone work, then negotiators and bomb response, with crash investigation and protection roles at the lower levels. Tasmania also pays SOG and surveillance members not on a 24-hour roster a shift and penalty allowance of 26% of salary, in place of normal shift penalties.
If you're weighing up Tasmania, remember its specialist roles all need at least 2 years of general duties, and the force is small, so vacancies are limited. Our Tasmania joining guide covers recruitment and the academy.
Is a specialist career worth the wait?
For many officers, a specialist unit is the reason they stay in policing. But it's competitive, and the first years in general duties are non-negotiable.
Works in your favour
- ✓Allowances worth thousands a year in many units
- ✓Advanced training and qualifications
- ✓Focused, skilled work with a close team
- ✓Recognition of specialist skill through allowances and qualifications
Watch out for
- ✕Years of general duties first, with no guarantee of selection
- ✕Tactical selection is physically and mentally brutal
- ✕On-call and recall demands in many units
- ✕Some allowances replace shift penalties or overtime
How to prepare for a specialist career
You can start preparing before you join, and you should keep preparing through general duties.
- 1
Join the right force
Larger forces run more specialist units. Our force quiz can help you choose.
- 2
Excel in general duties
Clean briefs, good driving, sound judgement and a clean discipline record are what selection panels look at first.
- 3
Get relevant qualifications
Swimming and diving for water units; first aid; investigation and forensic qualifications for those streams.
- 4
Build specialist fitness
Strength under load and swimming matter for tactical and water roles.
- 5
Talk to the unit
Ask unit members about selection, rosters and what they look for. Express interest early.
It all starts with getting in. Read our guide to becoming a police officer and the fitness test guide.
Check your fitness against every force
Enter your beep test level and push-ups to see which forces' recruit standards you already meet.
What isn't published (and who can confirm it)
Specialist selection is internal, so much of it isn't public. Here's what we couldn't confirm.
NSW's minimum service and any Senior Constable requirement for units such as the Dog Unit
- Who can confirm
- NSW Police Force recruitment, or the Police Association of NSW
Selection standards for NSW's TOU, WA's TRG, SA's STAR Group and the NT's TRG
- Who can confirm
- Each force (selection details are internal)
Entry rules for water police, highway patrol and forensics outside Victoria and Tasmania
- Who can confirm
- Each force's recruiting team
How officers are selected for Joint Counter Terrorism Teams
- Who can confirm
- Not published by any force
Current rates for SA's STAR Group allowance after January 2024
- Who can confirm
- SAPOL or the Police Association of SA
| Open question | Who can confirm |
|---|---|
| NSW's minimum service and any Senior Constable requirement for units such as the Dog Unit | NSW Police Force recruitment, or the Police Association of NSW |
| Selection standards for NSW's TOU, WA's TRG, SA's STAR Group and the NT's TRG | Each force (selection details are internal) |
| Entry rules for water police, highway patrol and forensics outside Victoria and Tasmania | Each force's recruiting team |
| How officers are selected for Joint Counter Terrorism Teams | Not published by any force |
| Current rates for SA's STAR Group allowance after January 2024 | SAPOL or the Police Association of SA |
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Frequently asked questions
How long before you can join a specialist police unit?
Usually two to three years of general duties after you graduate. Tasmania requires at least 2 years, Victoria 2 to 4 years depending on the unit, and Queensland 3 years. The AFP asks for 2 years as a police officer or protective service officer for tactical and canine roles. SA requires you to be permanently appointed first.
Can you join the police straight into a tactical unit?
No. Every tactical unit in Australia, from NSW's Tactical Operations Unit to the AFP's Specialist Response Group, recruits from serving officers. You'll need general duties experience, and in Victoria at least 2 years on the road, before you can attempt selection.
How do you become a police dog handler in Australia?
Join your force, complete general duties, then apply when the dog unit advertises. Victoria's Dog Squad and Tasmania's Dog Handlers Squad both require 2 years of general duties, and Tasmania says vacancies are highly competitive. The AFP's canine handler role needs 2 years as police or PSO. Dog handlers in Queensland and the NT receive a specific allowance.
What is the AFP tactical fitness test?
The AFP's Tactical Response Operator page lists: 3 chin-ups in a 17 kg vest, an 80 kg dummy drag over 80 m, three flights of stairs and a 30 m leopard crawl in full kit, 10 minutes treading water in clothes followed by a 400 m swim, and a 10 km pack march carrying 25 kg plus water and a rifle.
Do specialist police get paid more?
In many units, yes. NSW pays Tactical Operations Unit officers $7,928 to $19,820 a year extra, and Special Duties Allowances of $1,602 to $10,400 for roles such as highway patrol, crime scene and divers. Victoria's Disturbance Allowance 2 is $18,194, WA's TRG allowance is 10% of base salary, and Queensland pays SERT and dog handler allowances.
How do you join the water police?
After general duties, apply for a vacancy in your force's marine unit. Victoria's Water Police Squad needs 2 years of general duties, and its Search and Rescue Squad needs 2 years, a rank below Sergeant and a recreational diving certificate. Tasmania's Marine and Rescue Services needs 2 years. Other forces don't publish entry rules.
Do you need to be a detective to join a cyber crime unit?
Not always. Victoria's Cybercrime Squad is open to police and public service staff. In NSW, a Deputy Commissioner told Parliament in 2021 that almost all Cybercrime Squad investigators are designated detectives. Cyber units also employ civilian technical specialists in most forces.
How do police join a Joint Counter Terrorism Team?
No force publishes an entry process. JCTTs operate in every state and territory, combining AFP officers, state police and partner agencies such as ASIO. The AFP also runs a separate counter-terrorism graduate program for civilians.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 10 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: Specialist areas
- Victoria Police: Police Life Experts podcast S2E5, inside the Special Operations Group (transcript)
- Tasmania Police Recruitment: Specialist positions
- QPS Recruiting: Specialised roles and areas — Search summary only.
- myPolice QLD museum: The best job in the world, part 2 (May 2023)
- Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Career possibilities
- AFP: Tactical Response Operator
- AFP: Canine Handler
- NSW Police Force: Dog Unit
- NSW Police Force: Marine Area Command
- Crown Employees (Police Officers - 2024) Award, NSW Industrial Gazette Vol 397, 9 May 2025, pp 1238-1334
- NSW Police Force recruitment: Specialist roles
- Victoria Police (Police Officers, PSOs, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2025, [2025] FWCA 1135, AE528554
- Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116)
- Queensland Police Service: CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) FAQ and visual aids, Tranche 3 (official pay and allowance schedules)
- QPS Recruiting: Frequently asked questions (as summarised publicly)
- Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 (WAIRC, WES338)
- South Australia Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 (approved, SAET ET-21-00375; scanned PDF read by the scanned copy)
- SAPOL: International applicants - frequently asked questions
- Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated), TIC T15311 of 2026 (read via Wayback Machine copy 2026-05-20)
- Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2022 (PAT-certified), NTPA copy
- NTPFES: Accelerated Recruitment Program
- Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995, [2024] FWCA 4231)
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.