UK vs Australia Police Pay 2026: Rank by Rank

Do UK police officers earn more in Australia?

Usually yes, but by much less than the headline numbers suggest at constable level.

A top-of-scale constable in England and Wales earns £50,256 on the official scale from 1 September 2025, or about £52,015 after the 3.5% award from 1 September 2026 (our calculation, as the new pay points aren't published). An experienced UK officer joining WA Police is typically paid as Constable 5th year: $102,263.

At the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate on 9 October 2026 (A$1 = £0.5270), $102,263 is about £53,893. After each country's tax, the experienced constable's gain is real but modest. The difference grows quickly at sergeant and inspector, where Australian pay is far higher in pounds too.

UK constable top, take-home

£35,299

after tax, NI and 13.88% pension; our calc

WA Constable 5th year, take-home

$79,019

about £41,643 at the 9 Oct rate

UK sergeant top, take-home

£39,420

after tax, NI and pension; our calc

WA sergeant top, take-home

$101,283

about £53,376

Three other things shift the balance: Australian forces pay generous shift allowances, they pay your super on top of your salary instead of taking pension contributions out of it, and you get 6 weeks' annual leave from day one. Against that, you give up a guaranteed, inflation-linked UK pension for future service. The rest of this page works through each of these.

How we compare UK and Australian police pay

Official scales, each country's own tax rules, and conversions labelled as illustrations.

Australian pay comes from each force's current agreement as held in our data files, so it updates when a pay rise lands. UK pay comes from the England and Wales scale from 1 September 2025 (Police Pay Circular 011/2026, Annex F). The Government announced a 3.5% award from 1 September 2026 on 15 July 2026 (HCWS264), but the pay points determination wasn't published when we checked.

Read these labels

"2026, our calc" means the official 2025 UK figure × 1.035, rounded. Conversions use the RBA rate on 9 October 2026 (A$1 = £0.5270; £1 = A$1.8975) and are illustrations: the rate moves every day. Take-home figures are calculated by us for a single person with no other income, no student loan and no salary sacrifice.

UK take-home uses 2026-27 rates: personal allowance £12,570, 20% to £50,270, then 40%, plus employee National Insurance of 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. Police pension contributions come off before income tax but not before NI. Australian take-home uses 2026-27 ATO resident rates, the low income tax offset and the 2% Medicare levy.

Because a pound buys different things in each country, we also show a price-adjusted figure. OECD price-level data for 2025 puts Australian consumer prices about 2% above the UK's at 2025 exchange rates, which works out at roughly 10% higher at today's rate (our calculation). Housing is the big exception, so read the cost of living guide alongside this one.

Constable pay: UK pay points vs Australian increments

Where an experienced UK constable actually lands.

England and Wales constable scale (officers appointed after 1 April 2013)

Pay point 1

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £31,164
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £32,255
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$61,205

Pay point 2

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £32,472
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £33,609
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$63,774

Pay point 3

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £33,789
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £34,972
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$66,361

Pay point 4

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £35,106
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £36,335
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$68,947

Pay point 5

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £37,737
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £39,058
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$74,114

Pay point 6

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £43,038
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £44,544
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$84,524

Pay point 7

From 1 Sept 2025 (official): £50,256
From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc): £52,015
2026 in A$ (illustration): A$98,700

England and Wales constable	From 1 Sept 2025 (official)	From 1 Sept 2026 (our calc)	2026 in A$ (illustration)
Pay point 1	£31,164	£32,255	A$61,205
Pay point 2	£32,472	£33,609	A$63,774
Pay point 3	£33,789	£34,972	A$66,361
Pay point 4	£35,106	£36,335	A$68,947
Pay point 5	£37,737	£39,058	A$74,114
Pay point 6	£43,038	£44,544	A$84,524
Pay point 7	£50,256	£52,015	A$98,700

Source: Police Pay Circular 011/2026, Annex F; 3.5% award per HCWS264. London Weighting of £3,150 a year is paid on top in the Met and City of London. Conversions at A$1 = £0.5270 (RBA, 9 October 2026).

Scotland has its own scale: constables earn £34,001 to £54,597 from 1 April 2026. Northern Ireland also sets its own pay. Use Police Pay UK to find your exact UK figure.

Australian constable pay in the three forces that sponsor UK officers

WA Police

Constable range: Constable 1st year $94,651; 5th year and after $102,263
Next ranks up: First Class $107,977; Senior Constable $115,722 to $124,558
Rates from: 1 July 2026

SAPOL

Constable range: Probationary $83,398; Constable $86,125 to $102,491
Next ranks up: Senior Constable $102,990 to $117,542
Rates from: 1 January 2026

Queensland

Constable range: Constable 1.1 $78,505 to 1.6 $96,528
Next ranks up: Senior Constable 2.1 $96,528 to 2.10 $118,127
Rates from: 1 July 2026

Force	Constable range	Next ranks up	Rates from
WA Police	Constable 1st year $94,651; 5th year and after $102,263	First Class $107,977; Senior Constable $115,722 to $124,558	1 July 2026
SAPOL	Probationary $83,398; Constable $86,125 to $102,491	Senior Constable $102,990 to $117,542	1 January 2026
Queensland	Constable 1.1 $78,505 to 1.6 $96,528	Senior Constable 2.1 $96,528 to 2.10 $118,127	1 July 2026

Source: our force data files (WA Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 cl 10.1; SAPOL published salaries; QPS Certified Agreement 2025 with QPS CPI uplift schedule). Base salary only; shift allowances are extra.

Australia has more constable-level steps than the UK. Above Constable sit First Class and Senior Constable (WA) or Senior Constable (SA and Queensland), which experienced constables reach by exams or time served. So the closest Australian match for a UK constable at the top of the scale is often a senior constable, not a constable.

Where you start depends on the force. WA maps completed years of service to its Constable years: 4+ years starts on 5th year ($102,263), and 5+ years lets you sit the exams for First Class Constable ($107,977). SAPOL pays the Probationary Constable rate ($83,398) through its 15-week course and probation, then credits up to 7 years of service for increments. Queensland sets your pay point case by case. Our rank and service recognition guide covers the detail.

A UK constable with 4+ years' service joining WA is paid $102,263, about £53,893 at the 9 October 2026 rate, against £52,015 at home.

Sergeant pay: the gap widens

Australian sergeants earn far more, but you won't arrive as one.

Sergeant pay, UK and Australia

England and Wales (2026, our calc)

Annual pay: £55,443 to £58,175
Converted (illustration): A$105,205 to A$110,389

Scotland (from 1 April 2026)

Annual pay: £56,455 to £61,036
Converted (illustration): A$107,125 to A$115,818

WA Police Sergeant

Annual pay: $127,619 to $135,005
Converted (illustration): about £67,255 to £71,148

SAPOL Sergeant

Annual pay: $122,740 to $135,363
Converted (illustration): about £64,684 to £71,336

Queensland Sergeant

Annual pay: $118,127 to $133,671
Converted (illustration): about £62,253 to £70,445

Sergeant	Annual pay	Converted (illustration)
England and Wales (2026, our calc)	£55,443 to £58,175	A$105,205 to A$110,389
Scotland (from 1 April 2026)	£56,455 to £61,036	A$107,125 to A$115,818
WA Police Sergeant	$127,619 to $135,005	about £67,255 to £71,148
SAPOL Sergeant	$122,740 to $135,363	about £64,684 to £71,336
Queensland Sergeant	$118,127 to $133,671	about £62,253 to £70,445

UK: Circular 011/2026 Annex F scale × 1.035 (our calculation); Scotland from 1 April 2026. Australia: our data files, current tables. Conversions at A$1 = £0.5270.

The top of the England and Wales sergeant scale, about £58,175 in 2026 by our calculation, converts to around A$110,389. That's below a WA Senior Constable at Increment V ($124,558) and well below any Australian sergeant. Even at market rates, a WA sergeant at the top of the base scale earns about £71,148.

Rank doesn't transfer

WA, SAPOL and Queensland appoint UK officers at constable level. SAPOL says former substantive Sergeants and above can be appointed Senior Constable Increment 1 ($102,990) after probation. WA lets officers with 5+ years test for First Class and Senior Constable. To earn a sergeant's pay you then compete in your new force's promotion process.

For a UK sergeant, the honest comparison is your sergeant pay now against an Australian senior constable's pay for the first few years, then an Australian sergeant's pay if and when you're promoted. Read the ranks and promotion guide for how each force promotes.

Inspector pay: Australia pays much more

Commissioned pay in Australia includes compensation for extra hours.

Inspector pay, UK and Australia

England and Wales, outside London (2026, our calc)

Annual pay: £66,000 to £71,396
Converted (illustration): A$125,237 to A$135,476

WA Police Inspector

Annual pay: $173,361 to $185,897
Converted (illustration): about £91,361 to £97,968

SAPOL Inspector

Annual pay: $168,670 to $187,683
Converted (illustration): about £88,889 to £98,909

Queensland Inspector

Annual pay: $179,870 to $193,288
Converted (illustration): about £94,791 to £101,863

Inspector	Annual pay	Converted (illustration)
England and Wales, outside London (2026, our calc)	£66,000 to £71,396	A$125,237 to A$135,476
WA Police Inspector	$173,361 to $185,897	about £91,361 to £97,968
SAPOL Inspector	$168,670 to $187,683	about £88,889 to £98,909
Queensland Inspector	$179,870 to $193,288	about £94,791 to £101,863

UK: inspector outside London from Circular 011/2026 Annex F × 1.035 (our calculation). Australia: our data files. WA commissioned salaries include an allowance for work beyond 40 hours, weekends and public holidays (cl 10.1(b)), and overtime provisions don't apply to them.

A UK inspector at the top of the scale earns about £71,396 by our calculation, roughly A$135,476. Australian inspectors start at $173,361 in WA, $168,670 in SA and $179,870 in Queensland. In pounds that's well over twice the UK figure.

That difference is partly structural. WA folds compensation for long hours, weekends and public holidays into commissioned officers' salaries, so they don't claim overtime. For a UK inspector, though, the main question isn't the inspector scale: it's how long it takes to get back there after starting again at constable level.

Take-home pay in both countries

Each country's own tax, calculated by us.

UK take-home pay, England and Wales, 2026-27 tax year

Constable pay point 1

Gross: £32,255
Pension contribution: £4,154 (12.88%)
Income tax: £3,106
NI: £1,575
Take-home a year: £23,420
A month: £1,952

Constable pay point 7

Gross: £52,015
Pension contribution: £7,220 (13.88%)
Income tax: £6,445
NI: £3,051
Take-home a year: £35,299
A month: £2,942

Sergeant top

Gross: £58,175
Pension contribution: £8,075 (13.88%)
Income tax: £7,506
NI: £3,174
Take-home a year: £39,420
A month: £3,285

Inspector top (outside London)

Gross: £71,396
Pension contribution: £9,910 (13.88%)
Income tax: £12,026
NI: £3,439
Take-home a year: £46,021
A month: £3,835

UK rank (2026, our calc)	Gross	Pension contribution	Income tax	NI	Take-home a year	A month
Constable pay point 1	£32,255	£4,154 (12.88%)	£3,106	£1,575	£23,420	£1,952
Constable pay point 7	£52,015	£7,220 (13.88%)	£6,445	£3,051	£35,299	£2,942
Sergeant top	£58,175	£8,075 (13.88%)	£7,506	£3,174	£39,420	£3,285
Inspector top (outside London)	£71,396	£9,910 (13.88%)	£12,026	£3,439	£46,021	£3,835

Our calculation: 2026 pay = 1 Sept 2025 scale × 1.035; rUK income tax and employee Class 1 NI for 2026-27; 2015 scheme contribution tier from 1 April 2026 taken before tax. Single person, no student loan, no London Weighting, no overtime. Scottish income tax bands differ.

Australian take-home pay, 2026-27

SAPOL Probationary Constable (transition course)

Gross: $83,398
Tax + Medicare levy: $17,207
Take-home a year: $66,191
A fortnight: $2,546
In £ (illustration): £34,882

WA Constable 5th year

Gross: $102,263
Tax + Medicare levy: $23,244
Take-home a year: $79,019
A fortnight: $3,039
In £ (illustration): £41,643

SAPOL Constable Increment 7

Gross: $102,491
Tax + Medicare levy: $23,317
Take-home a year: $79,174
A fortnight: $3,045
In £ (illustration): £41,725

Queensland Constable 1.6, base

Gross: $96,528
Tax + Medicare levy: $21,409
Take-home a year: $75,119
A fortnight: $2,889
In £ (illustration): £39,588

Queensland Constable 1.6 + 21% OSA

Gross: $116,799
Tax + Medicare levy: $27,896
Take-home a year: $88,903
A fortnight: $3,419
In £ (illustration): £46,852

WA Sergeant Base Increment IV

Gross: $135,005
Tax + Medicare levy: $33,722
Take-home a year: $101,283
A fortnight: $3,896
In £ (illustration): £53,376

Queensland Sergeant 3.7

Gross: $133,671
Tax + Medicare levy: $33,295
Take-home a year: $100,376
A fortnight: $3,861
In £ (illustration): £52,898

WA Inspector Increment III

Gross: $185,897
Tax + Medicare levy: $53,570
Take-home a year: $132,327
A fortnight: $5,090
In £ (illustration): £69,736

Australian role	Gross	Tax + Medicare levy	Take-home a year	A fortnight	In £ (illustration)
SAPOL Probationary Constable (transition course)	$83,398	$17,207	$66,191	$2,546	£34,882
WA Constable 5th year	$102,263	$23,244	$79,019	$3,039	£41,643
SAPOL Constable Increment 7	$102,491	$23,317	$79,174	$3,045	£41,725
Queensland Constable 1.6, base	$96,528	$21,409	$75,119	$2,889	£39,588
Queensland Constable 1.6 + 21% OSA	$116,799	$27,896	$88,903	$3,419	£46,852
WA Sergeant Base Increment IV	$135,005	$33,722	$101,283	$3,896	£53,376
Queensland Sergeant 3.7	$133,671	$33,295	$100,376	$3,861	£52,898
WA Inspector Increment III	$185,897	$53,570	$132,327	$5,090	£69,736

Our calculation with 2026-27 ATO resident rates, LITO and the 2% Medicare levy; single, no HELP debt, no salary packaging. Employer super is paid on top and isn't deducted. Above $105,000 without private hospital cover, the Medicare levy surcharge may also apply.

Notice what's in each column. The UK figures take out 13.88% for the police pension, which buys a guaranteed pension. Australian figures take out nothing for retirement: the force pays super on top. Paying for the pension is the main reason a UK constable on £52,015 takes home only £35,299.

Free tool

Check Australian take-home for your exact pay point

Pick WA, SA or Queensland, your rank and step, your roster and overtime, and see your fortnightly pay after 2026-27 tax and the Medicare levy.

Calculate take-home →

Head to head: what you'd actually be better off by

Market rate and price-adjusted, side by side.

UK vs Australian take-home, experienced officers

Experienced constable

UK take-home (A$ illustration): £35,299 (A$66,982)
Australian take-home (£ illustration): WA Constable 5th year: $79,019 (£41,643)
Australian, price-adjusted £: £37,857

Experienced constable, UK before pension

UK take-home (A$ illustration): £40,726 (A$77,279)
Australian take-home (£ illustration): SAPOL Constable Increment 7: $79,174 (£41,725)
Australian, price-adjusted £: £37,931

Constable on shift work

UK take-home (A$ illustration): £35,299 + unsocial-hours pay
Australian take-home (£ illustration): QLD Constable 1.6 with OSA: $88,903 (£46,852)
Australian, price-adjusted £: £42,593

Sergeant at the top of the scale

UK take-home (A$ illustration): £39,420 (A$74,801)
Australian take-home (£ illustration): WA Sergeant Inc IV: $101,283 (£53,376)
Australian, price-adjusted £: £48,524

Inspector at the top of the scale

UK take-home (A$ illustration): £46,021 (A$87,327)
Australian take-home (£ illustration): WA Inspector Inc III: $132,327 (£69,736)
Australian, price-adjusted £: £63,397

Scenario	UK take-home (A$ illustration)	Australian take-home (£ illustration)	Australian, price-adjusted £
Experienced constable	£35,299 (A$66,982)	WA Constable 5th year: $79,019 (£41,643)	£37,857
Experienced constable, UK before pension	£40,726 (A$77,279)	SAPOL Constable Increment 7: $79,174 (£41,725)	£37,931
Constable on shift work	£35,299 + unsocial-hours pay	QLD Constable 1.6 with OSA: $88,903 (£46,852)	£42,593
Sergeant at the top of the scale	£39,420 (A$74,801)	WA Sergeant Inc IV: $101,283 (£53,376)	£48,524
Inspector at the top of the scale	£46,021 (A$87,327)	WA Inspector Inc III: $132,327 (£69,736)	£63,397

All figures are our calculations. Price-adjusted = the £ conversion divided by 1.10, reflecting OECD 2025 price levels at today's exchange rate. Housing costs vary far more than this average; see the cost of living guide.

For an experienced constable, the fair comparison is probably the second row: UK take-home before pension contributions (£40,726), because the Australian figure has no retirement saving taken out either. On that basis, an experienced constable in WA or SA takes home roughly the same in pounds at market rates, and slightly less once you allow for Australian prices.

So why do so many UK officers move? Because base pay isn't the whole package. A Queensland constable on a shift roster gets the 21% Operational Shift Allowance on top, the force pays 18% super, and promotion to senior constable and sergeant pays much more than in the UK. Lifestyle, weather and family reasons matter too, and only you can price those.

At constable level the move is roughly pay-neutral. The money case gets stronger with shift allowances, employer super and every promotion.

Overtime and shift pay: different systems

Australian shift pay is usually worth more than UK unsocial-hours pay.

Overtime and shift pay rules

Basic overtime

England and Wales: Time and a third
WA Police: 1.5x for the first 3 hours, then 2x (cl 13.3)
SAPOL: Award rate (Police Officers Award cl 5.2; multiplier not confirmed by us)
Queensland: Double time for operationally available, OST-qualified officers; others 1.5x for 3 hours then 2x (cl 26)

Rest day / short notice

England and Wales: Time and a half (rest day worked at short notice)
WA Police: Recall minimum 3 hours + 1 hour travel on weekly leave days (cl 13.5)
SAPOL: Recall on response-roster rest days paid as overtime
Queensland: Sunday is all double time for officers not already on double

Public holiday

England and Wales: Double time
WA Police: No public-holiday multiplier found in the agreement
SAPOL: Not confirmed (set by the award)
Queensland: Award cl 15.5 and 24.1; percentages not checked by us

Unsocial hours / shift pay

England and Wales: 10% for hours between 8pm and 6am
WA Police: Flat per shift: weekend day $74.11, evening $101.13, night $126.56
SAPOL: Night 20%, late night 25%, or 23% Response Allowance on the response roster
Queensland: 21% Operational Shift Allowance on base, plus night (20%) and late-night (25%) loadings per shift

	England and Wales	WA Police	SAPOL	Queensland
Basic overtime	Time and a third	1.5x for the first 3 hours, then 2x (cl 13.3)	Award rate (Police Officers Award cl 5.2; multiplier not confirmed by us)	Double time for operationally available, OST-qualified officers; others 1.5x for 3 hours then 2x (cl 26)
Rest day / short notice	Time and a half (rest day worked at short notice)	Recall minimum 3 hours + 1 hour travel on weekly leave days (cl 13.5)	Recall on response-roster rest days paid as overtime	Sunday is all double time for officers not already on double
Public holiday	Double time	No public-holiday multiplier found in the agreement	Not confirmed (set by the award)	Award cl 15.5 and 24.1; percentages not checked by us
Unsocial hours / shift pay	10% for hours between 8pm and 6am	Flat per shift: weekend day $74.11, evening $101.13, night $126.56	Night 20%, late night 25%, or 23% Response Allowance on the response roster	21% Operational Shift Allowance on base, plus night (20%) and late-night (25%) loadings per shift

Sources: UK figures from the overseas facts we checked (Police Regulations and determinations); WA Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024; SA Police Enterprise Agreement 2021; QPS Certified Agreement 2025. Where we haven't confirmed a rule, we say so.

The UK's basic overtime rate of time and a third is low by Australian standards. WA pays time and a half for the first 3 hours and double time after that, and works the hourly rate out as annual salary × 12/313 ÷ 80 (cl 10.13, 13.8). Queensland pays double time for all overtime to officers who are operationally available and OST-qualified, which is unusual even in Australia.

Shift allowances are where the money is

Queensland's Operational Shift Allowance is 21% of base pay for officers on operational 2- or 3-shift rosters. On Constable 1.6 ($96,528) that's about $20,271 a year, before the extra night and late-night loadings. SAPOL's response roster carries a 23% allowance. WA pays flat amounts per shift, such as $126.56 for a night shift.

By contrast, England and Wales pays a 10% unsocial-hours enhancement for hours worked between 8pm and 6am. The Australian allowances are larger and, in Queensland's case, apply to your whole base salary while you're on the roster. Our overtime and penalty rates guide covers every force.

Free tool

Work out Australian overtime and shift pay

Uses each agreement's own hourly-rate formula, including WA's 12/313 rule and Queensland's double time for operational officers.

Open the overtime calculator →

UK police pension vs Australian super

The biggest hidden difference between the two pay packets.

Pension vs super

Who pays

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): You: 12.88%, 13.88% or 14.22% of pensionable pay, from 1 April 2026; the force also pays in
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): Your force pays on top of salary: 12% in WA, at least 12% in SA, 18% in Queensland

What you build

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): A defined benefit: 1/55.3 of each year's pensionable pay, revalued by CPI + 1.25% while you serve
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): An accumulation balance invested in a fund; its value depends on contributions and returns

When you get it

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): Normal pension age 60; leave before 55 and the pension is deferred to State Pension age
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): Preserved until you meet a condition of release (generally preservation age and retirement)

Inflation link

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): Built in (CPI-linked revaluation and increases)
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): None built in: you carry investment risk

Your own extra contributions

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): Not needed
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): Optional (QLD defaults new officers to a 6% member contribution you can reduce to zero; SA police must contribute to Triple S, reported 4.5% after tax, not confirmed by us)

If you leave

UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme): Deferred pension stays in the UK; transfers to Australian funds are very unlikely in practice
Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers): Balance stays yours and moves with you between Australian jobs

	UK police pension (2015 CARE scheme)	Australian super (WA, SA, Queensland new officers)
Who pays	You: 12.88%, 13.88% or 14.22% of pensionable pay, from 1 April 2026; the force also pays in	Your force pays on top of salary: 12% in WA, at least 12% in SA, 18% in Queensland
What you build	A defined benefit: 1/55.3 of each year's pensionable pay, revalued by CPI + 1.25% while you serve	An accumulation balance invested in a fund; its value depends on contributions and returns
When you get it	Normal pension age 60; leave before 55 and the pension is deferred to State Pension age	Preserved until you meet a condition of release (generally preservation age and retirement)
Inflation link	Built in (CPI-linked revaluation and increases)	None built in: you carry investment risk
Your own extra contributions	Not needed	Optional (QLD defaults new officers to a 6% member contribution you can reduce to zero; SA police must contribute to Triple S, reported 4.5% after tax, not confirmed by us)
If you leave	Deferred pension stays in the UK; transfers to Australian funds are very unlikely in practice	Balance stays yours and moves with you between Australian jobs

UK: Police Pensions Regulations 2015 and the Home Office members' guide; contribution tiers from SI 2026/267. Australia: WA Treasury choice-of-fund brochure, Super SA Triple S, QPS Certified Agreement 2025. General information, not financial advice.

Here's the trade in numbers. A UK constable on £52,015 pays about £7,220 a year into the pension and builds roughly £941 a year of pension for that year's service (pay ÷ 55.3, our calculation), revalued while you serve and paid from 60.

A WA Constable 5th year pays nothing compulsory, and the force puts about $12,272 a year (12%) into super. In Queensland, 18% of Constable 1.6 pay is about $17,375 a year. Super is invested, so what it's worth at retirement depends on returns and fees, not a formula.

Your existing UK pension

The pension you've already built stays in the UK as a deferred pension. If you leave the 2015 scheme before 55, it's normally deferred to State Pension age, and transfers into Australian super funds are very unlikely to be possible in practice. Read your UK police pension if you move to Australia, and check figures with Police Pay UK's pension calculator before you resign.

Whether the pension or the super is "better" depends on your age, service and how long you'll stay. Australian super is portable between Australian employers, which a UK police pension isn't. For how super works in each force, see WA police super and Queensland police super.

Leave: 6 weeks from day one

More annual leave, a leave loading and long service leave.

Leave entitlements

Annual leave

England and Wales: 25 days rising to 30 with service
WA Police: 240 hours (6 weeks) a year, plus 40 hours for North West service
SAPOL: 6 weeks (30 working days)
Queensland: 6 weeks; 6 weeks 3 days in the North and West

Leave loading

England and Wales: None
WA Police: 18.75% on up to 5 weeks, capped
SAPOL: 17.5% for day workers; more for some shift workers
Queensland: 17.5% on 4 weeks for non-OSA officers; OSA officers keep OSA on leave

Long service leave

England and Wales: No equivalent
WA Police: 13 weeks after 10 years, then 13 weeks every 7 years
SAPOL: Set by regulations (rate not verified by us); plus 4 weeks' Police Service Leave at 20 years
Queensland: 13 weeks after 10 years (1.3 weeks a year)

Sick leave

England and Wales: Set by UK regulations
WA Police: Up to 168 days a year at the employer's discretion
SAPOL: 12 working days a year credited
Queensland: 15 days a year

	England and Wales	WA Police	SAPOL	Queensland
Annual leave	25 days rising to 30 with service	240 hours (6 weeks) a year, plus 40 hours for North West service	6 weeks (30 working days)	6 weeks; 6 weeks 3 days in the North and West
Leave loading	None	18.75% on up to 5 weeks, capped	17.5% for day workers; more for some shift workers	17.5% on 4 weeks for non-OSA officers; OSA officers keep OSA on leave
Long service leave	No equivalent	13 weeks after 10 years, then 13 weeks every 7 years	Set by regulations (rate not verified by us); plus 4 weeks' Police Service Leave at 20 years	13 weeks after 10 years (1.3 weeks a year)
Sick leave	Set by UK regulations	Up to 168 days a year at the employer's discretion	12 working days a year credited	15 days a year

Sources: overseas facts (UK annual leave); WA Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 cl 30, 33, 38; SA Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 cl 36-38; QPS Certified Agreement 2025 cl 58-64. Check your offer letter for how leave is credited in year one.

Six weeks' annual leave from the start is one of the clearest gains. UK officers start on 25 days and only reach 30 with long service, so a move to WA, SA or Queensland adds at least a week a year, and more for newer officers.

Australia also pays a leave loading, extra pay while you're on leave, and offers long service leave: in WA and Queensland, 13 weeks after 10 years. UK forces have no equivalent. We haven't seen any force say that UK service counts towards long service leave, so ask before you assume it does. The police leave guide compares all eight forces.

What about NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the NT and the AFP?

Higher or lower pay, but none sponsors UK officers.

Headline pay, all eight forces

NSW Police

First-year constable: $92,576
Senior constable top: $139,688
Sergeant top: $157,203
Inspector entry: $178,719
Sponsors UK officers?: No

Victoria Police

First-year constable: $84,060
Senior constable top: $118,945
Sergeant top: $149,358
Inspector entry: $170,644
Sponsors UK officers?: No

QPS

First-year constable: $78,505
Senior constable top: $118,127
Sergeant top: $133,671
Inspector entry: $179,870
Sponsors UK officers?: Yes

WA Police

First-year constable: $94,651
Senior constable top: $124,558
Sergeant top: $135,005
Inspector entry: $173,361
Sponsors UK officers?: Yes

SAPOL

First-year constable: $83,398
Senior constable top: $117,542
Sergeant top: $135,363
Inspector entry: $168,670
Sponsors UK officers?: Yes

Tasmania Police

First-year constable: $73,518
Senior constable top: $107,420
Sergeant top: $125,625
Inspector entry: $170,026
Sponsors UK officers?: No

NT Police

First-year constable: $87,005
Senior constable top: $120,539 (our calc)
Sergeant top: $139,008 (our calc)
Inspector entry: not published
Sponsors UK officers?: No

AFP

First-year constable: $72,317
Senior constable top: $111,861 (our calc)
Sergeant top: $132,185 (our calc)
Inspector entry: not published
Sponsors UK officers?: No

Force	First-year constable	Senior constable top	Sergeant top	Inspector entry	Sponsors UK officers?
NSW Police	$92,576	$139,688	$157,203	$178,719	No
Victoria Police	$84,060	$118,945	$149,358	$170,644	No
QPS	$78,505	$118,127	$133,671	$179,870	Yes
WA Police	$94,651	$124,558	$135,005	$173,361	Yes
SAPOL	$83,398	$117,542	$135,363	$168,670	Yes
Tasmania Police	$73,518	$107,420	$125,625	$170,026	No
NT Police	$87,005	$120,539 (our calc)	$139,008 (our calc)	not published	No
AFP	$72,317	$111,861 (our calc)	$132,185 (our calc)	not published	No

From our force data files (current tables). NSW figures include the 11.5% loading paid as salary; Victorian salaries include a 13% commuted penalty. '(our calc)' marks figures we calculated from the agreement; '(unconfirmed)' marks figures not yet confirmed in the agreement.

Only WA, SAPOL and Queensland sponsor visas for UK officers. Victoria recognises UK service but only once you're a permanent resident or citizen, NSW and Tasmania's lateral programs are for Australian and New Zealand officers, the NT doesn't sponsor visas, and the AFP requires citizenship.

Many officers take a sponsored role first and consider other forces later, but transfers between Australian forces aren't automatic. See the force guides for Victoria and NSW, and the pay comparison calculator for every force side by side.

Working out your own numbers

A five-step check before you apply or resign.

1

Find your exact UK pay
UK side

Your pay point, any London Weighting or allowances, typical overtime and your pension contribution tier. Police Pay UK has the scales and calculators.
2

Pin down your Australian start point
Offer stage

Ask the force, in writing, which pay point your service gets: WA's published table, SAPOL's increments or Queensland's case-by-case assessment.
3

Add the roster
Shift pay

Shift allowances can add 20% or more: Queensland's OSA is 21% of base, SAPOL's response roster 23%. Ask which roster you'll work after the course.
4

Compare take-home, not gross
Like for like

Use the UK figure before pension contributions against the Australian figure, then think separately about pension and super.
5

Price your life, not an average
Costs

Rent or mortgage, childcare, cars and energy in the city you'll be posted to. Our cost of living guide has the latest official figures.

Where Australia pays more

✓Sergeant and inspector pay, by a wide margin
✓Shift allowances (21% OSA in Queensland, 23% response roster in SA)
✓Employer-paid super with no compulsory deduction in WA and Queensland
✓6 weeks' annual leave plus leave loading and long service leave
✓Higher overtime multipliers

Where the UK package holds up

✕Constable take-home is similar in pounds at today's rate
✕Rank doesn't transfer: UK sergeants and inspectors restart at constable level
✕Super isn't a guaranteed, inflation-linked pension
✕Australian prices are about 10% higher overall at today's rate (our calculation)
✕Exchange rates move: the picture changes with the pound

Questions to ask the force before you accept

✓ Which pay point will I start on, and from what date?
✓ What am I paid during the transition course?
✓ Which roster and shift allowance will I work after the course?
✓ When can I sit the exams for the next constable grade?
✓ Which super fund will I be in, and what's the employer rate?
✓ How is annual leave credited in my first year?

Costs Cost of living for police Housing, energy, cars and childcare city by city. Flagship guide UK police officers moving to Australia Forces, visas, pay and your pension. Visas Australian visas for police The 186 visa, costs and family.

Free email alerts

Get the updated UK vs Australia pay comparison when either side changes

One email when the UK publishes its 2026 pay points, when WA, SAPOL or Queensland pay rises take effect, or when the exchange rate moves enough to change the picture. We re-run every take-home figure on this page and tell you what moved.

✓UK and Australian pay rises, side by side
✓Take-home figures re-run in both countries

Frequently asked questions

Do police get paid more in Australia than the UK?

In Australian dollars the numbers look about twice as big, but converted at the 9 October 2026 rate the gap for constables is modest: an experienced WA constable takes home about £41,643 a year against £40,726 for a top-of-scale UK constable before pension contributions. The gap widens sharply at sergeant and inspector, and Australian shift allowances and employer super add more.

How much does a police constable earn in Australia compared with the UK?

An England and Wales constable earns £31,164 to £50,256 on the scale from 1 September 2025 (about £32,255 to £52,015 after the 3.5% 2026 award, by our calculation). In Australia, WA pays $94,651 to $102,263 for constables, SAPOL $86,125 to $102,491 and Queensland $78,505 to $96,528, before shift pay.

What will my UK rank be worth in Australia?

Rank doesn't transfer. WA, SAPOL and Queensland appoint experienced UK officers at constable level and credit service for pay. SAPOL says former substantive Sergeants and above can be appointed Senior Constable after probation, which pays $102,990 at Increment 1. You then compete for promotion in your new force.

Is UK police overtime better than in Australia?

The UK multiplier is lower: time and a third for most overtime, time and a half for rest days worked at short notice and double time on public holidays. WA pays time and a half for the first 3 hours then double time, and Queensland pays double time for all overtime to operationally available officers. SAPOL's multipliers sit in an award we haven't confirmed.

Do Australian police pay into a pension like UK police?

Not in the same way. New officers in WA, SA and Queensland get employer-paid superannuation into an accumulation fund: 12% in WA and 18% in Queensland, on top of salary. UK officers pay 12.88% to 14.22% of their pay into a defined benefit scheme that pays a guaranteed, inflation-linked pension from 60.

How much annual leave do Australian police get compared with UK police?

UK officers start on 25 days a year, rising to 30 with service. WA, SAPOL and Queensland officers get 6 weeks (240 hours, or 30 working days) from the start, plus a leave loading of 17.5% or more, and long service leave, typically 13 weeks after 10 years. Queensland gives 6 weeks and 3 days in the North and West.

Is the exchange rate a fair way to compare police pay?

Only as a rough guide. The rate moves daily, and it ignores prices. OECD price-level data for 2025 suggests Australian consumer prices are about 10% higher than the UK at today's exchange rate (our calculation). So we show market-rate conversions and a price-adjusted figure, and we recommend comparing your actual costs, especially housing.

Is the 2026 UK police pay scale published?

Not when we checked. The Government accepted a 3.5% award from 1 September 2026 in a written statement on 15 July 2026, but the new pay points determination hadn't been published. Our 2026 UK figures are the official 1 September 2025 rates increased by 3.5%, rounded to the pound, and are labelled as our calculation.

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.

Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 (WAIRC, WES338) — pay (cl 10.1), overtime (cl 13), shift allowances (cl 16.1), leave (cl 30, 33)
Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): International transition
WA Treasury: Choice of super fund in the WA state public sector (2026)
SAPOL: Career progression and salaries
SAPOL: International applicants - frequently asked questions
South Australia Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 (approved, SAET ET-21-00375; scanned PDF read by the scanned copy) — shift loadings, leave
Super SA: Triple S
Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116) — overtime (cl 26), OSA, leave (cl 58-64)
Queensland Police Service: CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) FAQ and visual aids, Tranche 3 (official pay and allowance schedules)
QPS Recruiting: International police recruitment (as summarised publicly)
Crown Employees (Police Officers - 2024) Award, NSW Industrial Gazette Vol 397, 9 May 2025, pp 1238-1334
Victoria Police (Police Officers, PSOs, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2025, [2025] FWCA 1135, AE528554
Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated), TIC T15311 of 2026 (read via Wayback Machine copy 2026-05-20)
NTPFES: Constable recruitment page
Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2022 (PAT-certified), NTPA copy
Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995, [2024] FWCA 4231)
GOV.UK: Police Remuneration Review Body report 2026, England and Wales (pay scales from 1 September 2025, as set out in Police Pay Circular 011/2026, Annex F) — constable, sergeant and inspector scales from 1 September 2025
UK Parliament written statement HCWS264 (15 July 2026): police pay award — 3.5% from 1 September 2026; 2026 scale here is our calculation
GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances — 2026-27 bands
GOV.UK: National Insurance rates and categories — 8% and 2% employee rates
legislation.gov.uk: SI 2026/267, police pension member contribution rates from 1 April 2026 — 12.88% / 13.88% / 14.22% tiers
legislation.gov.uk: Police Pensions Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/445), with the Home Office guide 'Benefits of your police pension scheme' (15 December 2021) — 1/55.3 accrual, CPI + 1.25% revaluation, pension age 60, deferred to State Pension age if you leave before 55
ATO: Individual income tax rates (2026-27)
Reserve Bank of Australia: exchange rates, table F11.1 — A$1 = £0.5270 on 9 October 2026; illustration only
OECD: Purchasing power parities (PPP), 2025 — price-level comparison; the 10% gap at today's rate is our calculation
Police Pay UK: pension calculator
Police Pay UK: Police pension schemes explained

Joining the police

More in this series

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.

UK vs Australia police pay
rank by rank, after tax

Do UK police officers earn more in Australia?

How we compare UK and Australian police pay

Constable pay: UK pay points vs Australian increments

Sergeant pay: the gap widens

Inspector pay: Australia pays much more

Take-home pay in both countries

Head to head: what you'd actually be better off by

Overtime and shift pay: different systems

Shift allowances are where the money is

UK police pension vs Australian super

Leave: 6 weeks from day one

What about NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the NT and the AFP?

Working out your own numbers

Find your exact UK pay

Pin down your Australian start point

Add the roster

Compare take-home, not gross

Price your life, not an average

Get the updated UK vs Australia pay comparison when either side changes

Frequently asked questions

Do police get paid more in Australia than the UK?

How much does a police constable earn in Australia compared with the UK?

What will my UK rank be worth in Australia?

Is UK police overtime better than in Australia?

Do Australian police pay into a pension like UK police?

How much annual leave do Australian police get compared with UK police?

Is the exchange rate a fair way to compare police pay?

Is the 2026 UK police pay scale published?

Sources and how we checked them

Related guides

More in this series

UK vs Australia police payrank by rank, after tax

Do UK police officers earn more in Australia?

How we compare UK and Australian police pay

Constable pay: UK pay points vs Australian increments

Sergeant pay: the gap widens

Inspector pay: Australia pays much more

Take-home pay in both countries

Head to head: what you'd actually be better off by

Overtime and shift pay: different systems

Shift allowances are where the money is

UK police pension vs Australian super

Leave: 6 weeks from day one

What about NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the NT and the AFP?

Working out your own numbers

Find your exact UK pay

Pin down your Australian start point

Add the roster

Compare take-home, not gross

Price your life, not an average

Get the updated UK vs Australia pay comparison when either side changes

Frequently asked questions

Do police get paid more in Australia than the UK?

How much does a police constable earn in Australia compared with the UK?

What will my UK rank be worth in Australia?

Is UK police overtime better than in Australia?

Do Australian police pay into a pension like UK police?

How much annual leave do Australian police get compared with UK police?

Is the exchange rate a fair way to compare police pay?

Is the 2026 UK police pay scale published?

Sources and how we checked them

Related guides

More in this series

UK vs Australia police pay
rank by rank, after tax