Why you can't compare police salaries straight off a recruiting page
Each force quotes a different thing as 'salary'. Line them up as published and the ranking is wrong.
Australia has eight police forces, and each has its own pay instrument: a state award in NSW and Tasmania, enterprise agreements in Victoria, South Australia and the AFP, a certified agreement in Queensland, an industrial agreement in WA and a consent agreement in the Northern Territory. Each one decides in its own way how shift work, weekends and public holidays are paid, and that changes what the headline salary means.
Some forces fold that compensation into the salary. Others pay a percentage of salary on top, and others pay a flat dollar amount for each shift. Put the published numbers side by side and you are comparing a NSW salary that includes an 11.5% loading with a Queensland base that excludes a 21% allowance, and a WA base that excludes per-shift payments altogether.
- 1
Salary as the instrument states it
Column 1The figure in the pay table. In NSW that's base salary (the loading is shown separately); in Victoria it already includes a 13% commuted penalty; elsewhere it is base pay only.
- 2
Front-line pay
Column 2Salary plus the percentage loading, composite or roster allowance a constable on a standard 24/7 general-duties roster gets every fortnight, plus fixed allowances that every such officer receives. This is our like-for-like figure.
- 3
What's still on top
VariesPer-shift allowances (NSW, Victoria, WA, and night allowances in Queensland, SA, NT and the AFP), overtime, on-call, specialist and remote allowances. These depend on your roster, so we show the rules, not a single number.
How we built this comparison
Every figure is read from each force's data file, which records the clause or official page and the date we read it. Where a rate is calculated by us (most NT rates above Constable 4, the AFP's composite figures, Queensland's recruit pay) it carries a calc marker. Queensland's CPI-uplifted rates are QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment schedule. Where a rate is reported but not confirmed in the agreement, it carries unconfirmed. Rules we couldn't confirm are left out, not guessed.
Every force at a glance: 2026 pay at five career stages
This table shows each force's current pay table, as at the date you're reading it. Salaries are annual and before tax. The front-line column adds the loading or composite explained in the next section, so it's the fairer column for a first-year comparison.
- Recruit in training
- No annual rate
- First-year base
- $83,028
- First-year front-line
- $92,576
- Senior constable top (base)
- $125,281
- Sergeant top (base)
- $140,989
- Inspector entry
- $178,719
- Recruit in training
- $61,187
- First-year base
- $84,060
- First-year front-line
- $93,212
- Senior constable top (base)
- $118,945
- Sergeant top (base)
- $149,358
- Inspector entry
- $170,644
- Recruit in training
- $59,728 calc
- First-year base
- $78,505
- First-year front-line
- $94,991
- Senior constable top (base)
- $118,127
- Sergeant top (base)
- $133,671
- Inspector entry
- $179,870
- Recruit in training
- $74,309
- First-year base
- $94,651
- First-year front-line
- $94,651
- Senior constable top (base)
- $124,558
- Sergeant top (base)
- $135,005
- Inspector entry
- $173,361
- Recruit in training
- $71,872
- First-year base
- $83,398
- First-year front-line
- $102,580
- Senior constable top (base)
- $117,542
- Sergeant top (base)
- $135,363
- Inspector entry
- $168,670
- Recruit in training
- $61,801
- First-year base
- $73,518
- First-year front-line
- $94,103
- Senior constable top (base)
- $107,420
- Sergeant top (base)
- $125,625
- Inspector entry
- $170,026
- Recruit in training
- $74,619
- First-year base
- $87,005
- First-year front-line
- $111,366
- Senior constable top (base)
- $120,539 calc
- Sergeant top (base)
- $139,008 calc
- Inspector entry
- No equivalent published
- Recruit in training
- $69,698
- First-year base
- $72,317
- First-year front-line
- $91,727
- Senior constable top (base)
- $111,861 calc
- Sergeant top (base)
- $132,185 calc
- Inspector entry
- No equivalent published
| Force | Recruit in training | First-year base | First-year front-line | Senior constable top (base) | Sergeant top (base) | Inspector entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | No annual rate | $83,028 | $92,576 | $125,281 | $140,989 | $178,719 |
| Victoria Police | $61,187 | $84,060 | $93,212 | $118,945 | $149,358 | $170,644 |
| QPS | $59,728 calc | $78,505 | $94,991 | $118,127 | $133,671 | $179,870 |
| WA Police | $74,309 | $94,651 | $94,651 | $124,558 | $135,005 | $173,361 |
| SAPOL | $71,872 | $83,398 | $102,580 | $117,542 | $135,363 | $168,670 |
| Tasmania Police | $61,801 | $73,518 | $94,103 | $107,420 | $125,625 | $170,026 |
| NT Police | $74,619 | $87,005 | $111,366 | $120,539 calc | $139,008 calc | No equivalent published |
| AFP | $69,698 | $72,317 | $91,727 | $111,861 calc | $132,185 calc | No equivalent published |
Base figures exclude loadings, except Victoria's, which include the 13% commuted penalty, and Inspector rates in Victoria and WA, which include allowances for extra hours. Tasmania has no separate senior constable scale, so its figure is the top of the single constable scale. The AFP does not map bands to ranks; its figures are the tops of the constable (Band 5.3) and team leader/sergeant (Band 7.3) broadbands, our mapping. calc = calculated by us; unconfirmed = reported, not confirmed in the agreement.
Two things stand out. First, the spread in first-year base pay is wide: $22,334 a year separates WA Police ($94,651) from AFP ($72,317). Second, the order is unstable. A force near the bottom of one column can be near the top of the next, because loadings, scale lengths and promotion structures differ so much.
No single force pays the most at every rank. The answer changes with your career stage and your roster.
First-year constable pay, compared like for like
The number most applicants care about: what you earn once you're sworn in and on the roster.
First-year constable: front-line pay by force
Bright bar = base salary; full bar = with the standard roster loading, composite or fixed allowances. Per-shift allowances are not included.
- NT Police $111,366
23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance
- SAPOL $102,580
23% Response Allowance (metro response roster only)
- QPS $94,991
21% Operational Shift Allowance (OSA); night allowances on top
- WA Police $94,651
No loading: flat dollar shift allowances per shift on top
- Tasmania Police $94,103
28% shift and penalty allowance (24-hour roster)
- Victoria Police $93,212
13% commuted penalty already inside the salary; hourly shift loadings on top
- NSW Police $92,576
11.5% loading paid as salary; per-shift allowances on top
- AFP $91,727
22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance
On front-line pay, NT Police leads at $111,366, followed by SAPOL ($102,580) and QPS ($94,991). NT Police's lead comes from what it pays on top of a $87,005 base: 23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance. In the NT, both allowances start only once you're posted after training; the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services recruiting page publishes the Constable 1 package as $111,366.
- Base
- $87,005
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance
- Front-line pay
- $111,366
- Take-home a fortnight
- $3,277
- Base
- $83,398
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 23% Response Allowance (metro response roster only)
- Front-line pay
- $102,580
- Take-home a fortnight
- $3,047
- Base
- $78,505
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 21% Operational Shift Allowance (OSA); night allowances on top
- Front-line pay
- $94,991
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,849
- Base
- $94,651
- What's added for a front-line roster
- No loading: flat dollar shift allowances per shift on top
- Front-line pay
- $94,651
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,840
- Base
- $73,518
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 28% shift and penalty allowance (24-hour roster)
- Front-line pay
- $94,103
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,826
- Base
- $84,060
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 13% commuted penalty already inside the salary; hourly shift loadings on top
- Front-line pay
- $93,212
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,802
- Base
- $83,028
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 11.5% loading paid as salary; per-shift allowances on top
- Front-line pay
- $92,576
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,786
- Base
- $72,317
- What's added for a front-line roster
- 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance
- Front-line pay
- $91,727
- Take-home a fortnight
- $2,764
| Force | Base | What's added for a front-line roster | Front-line pay | Take-home a fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT Police | $87,005 | 23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance | $111,366 | $3,277 |
| SAPOL | $83,398 | 23% Response Allowance (metro response roster only) | $102,580 | $3,047 |
| QPS | $78,505 | 21% Operational Shift Allowance (OSA); night allowances on top | $94,991 | $2,849 |
| WA Police | $94,651 | No loading: flat dollar shift allowances per shift on top | $94,651 | $2,840 |
| Tasmania Police | $73,518 | 28% shift and penalty allowance (24-hour roster) | $94,103 | $2,826 |
| Victoria Police | $84,060 | 13% commuted penalty already inside the salary; hourly shift loadings on top | $93,212 | $2,802 |
| NSW Police | $83,028 | 11.5% loading paid as salary; per-shift allowances on top | $92,576 | $2,786 |
| AFP | $72,317 | 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance | $91,727 | $2,764 |
Take-home uses 2026-27 resident tax rates and the Medicare levy, with no HELP debt, overtime or per-shift allowances. Victoria's front-line figure adds the capability, Operational Readiness, General Duties, wellbeing and retention allowances paid to a general-duties Constable 1. The AFP figure adds the Use of Force allowance, as the AFP's advertised package does. SA's 23% Response Allowance applies only to Metropolitan Response Teams.
The forces that pay per shift look weaker here than they really are. A WA probationary constable earns $94,651 before a single shift allowance; each 8-hour night shift adds $126.56, and each 8-hour weekend day shift $74.11. A NSW constable on a B (night) shift gets about $8.44 an hour on top of the loaded salary. Model your own roster in the take-home pay calculator.
What would you actually take home?
Pick your force and pay point, add your real roster and overtime, and see your fortnightly take-home under 2026-27 tax.
What you're paid while you train
Every force except NSW pays recruits an annual salary at the academy, but rates and course lengths vary a lot. NT Police pays the most ($74,619), and QPS the least ($59,728, calculated by us). NSW is the odd one out: there's no annual recruit salary because students study an associate degree.
Recruit pay during academy training
Annual rate while in training. NSW pays a weekly rate during one 16-week session only, so it isn't shown as a salary.
- NT Police $74,619
- WA Police $74,309
- SAPOL $71,872
- AFP $69,698
- Tasmania Police $61,801
- Victoria Police $61,187
- QPS $59,728 calc
- Recruit rate
- Not an annual salary
- How it's set
- No annual recruit salary. Stage 1 of the ADAP (16 weeks online) is unpaid; during the 16-week Academy session students are employed as temporary administrative staff on $1,360 a week plus super and allowances (rate from March 2024).
- Course
- Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP) with Western Sydney University: Session 1 is 16 weeks online (unpaid), Session 2 is 16 weeks full-time at Goulburn, then 12 months as a Probationary Constable with 3 online part-time sessions.
- Recruit rate
- $61,187
- How it's set
- Recruit rate from 1 Jun 2026 (Schedule A), paid until sworn in at the end of week 12; $63,023 from 1 Jun 2027.
- Course
- Police Foundation Training Program, weeks 1-25 (cut from 31 weeks).
- Recruit rate
- $59,728 calc
- How it's set
- 70% of First Year Constable (Constable 1.1) base from 1 Jul 2026 ($78,505 = $54,954) plus the $183/fortnight recruit training allowance (about $4,774 a year). Derived by us; the recruiting site quotes conflicting totals of about $53,700 and about $60,000.
- Course
- About 8 months for mainstream recruits (the 2023 ministerial statement says 'almost eight month'; exact weeks not verified).
- Recruit rate
- $74,309
- How it's set
- Recruit-in-Training rate from 1 Jul 2026, paid during the 28-week Academy course.
- Course
- 28 weeks for entry-level recruits, followed by 18 months as a Probationary Constable.
- Recruit rate
- $71,872
- How it's set
- Cadet rate (domestic recruits at the Academy) from 1 Jan 2026. Interstate and international transition recruits are paid as Probationary Constable ($83,398) during training.
- Course
- SAPOL's current Training page describes 9 to 11 months of recruit training (an earlier SAPOL notice described about six months at the Academy after a 2020 change), 8:30am-5pm Monday to Friday, then graduation as a Probationary Constable within a 2.5-year Constable Development Program; graduates receive a Diploma of Policing on permanent appointment.
- Recruit rate
- $61,801
- How it's set
- Trainee Constable annual salary from FFPPOOA 1 Dec 2025, paid during the 28-week recruit course. Rises to $63,655 from Dec 2026.
- Course
- 28 weeks, including 6 weeks' practical training at a station.
- Recruit rate
- $74,619
- How it's set
- Recruit Constable base for the first 4 months of training ($79,095 from 4 months to graduation), as published by NTPFES in October 2026. Allowances are not paid during training.
- Course
- 30 weeks for Constables (the PPSO FAQ calls it 'the 32-week Constable course'); ACPO 24 weeks; PPSO 18 weeks; JESCC Auxiliary 12 weeks.
- Recruit rate
- $69,698
- How it's set
- Band 2.3 base from 9 Dec 2025 while at the AFP College (police recruits, national and ACT). No composite during training. PSO recruits start at Band 2.1 ($64,754).
- Course
- Police (national and ACT): 26 weeks, Federal Police Development Program, with the opportunity to receive the POL50124 Diploma of Policing.
| Force | Recruit rate | How it's set | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | Not an annual salary | No annual recruit salary. Stage 1 of the ADAP (16 weeks online) is unpaid; during the 16-week Academy session students are employed as temporary administrative staff on $1,360 a week plus super and allowances (rate from March 2024). | Associate Degree in Applied Policing (ADAP) with Western Sydney University: Session 1 is 16 weeks online (unpaid), Session 2 is 16 weeks full-time at Goulburn, then 12 months as a Probationary Constable with 3 online part-time sessions. |
| Victoria Police | $61,187 | Recruit rate from 1 Jun 2026 (Schedule A), paid until sworn in at the end of week 12; $63,023 from 1 Jun 2027. | Police Foundation Training Program, weeks 1-25 (cut from 31 weeks). |
| QPS | $59,728 calc | 70% of First Year Constable (Constable 1.1) base from 1 Jul 2026 ($78,505 = $54,954) plus the $183/fortnight recruit training allowance (about $4,774 a year). Derived by us; the recruiting site quotes conflicting totals of about $53,700 and about $60,000. | About 8 months for mainstream recruits (the 2023 ministerial statement says 'almost eight month'; exact weeks not verified). |
| WA Police | $74,309 | Recruit-in-Training rate from 1 Jul 2026, paid during the 28-week Academy course. | 28 weeks for entry-level recruits, followed by 18 months as a Probationary Constable. |
| SAPOL | $71,872 | Cadet rate (domestic recruits at the Academy) from 1 Jan 2026. Interstate and international transition recruits are paid as Probationary Constable ($83,398) during training. | SAPOL's current Training page describes 9 to 11 months of recruit training (an earlier SAPOL notice described about six months at the Academy after a 2020 change), 8:30am-5pm Monday to Friday, then graduation as a Probationary Constable within a 2.5-year Constable Development Program; graduates receive a Diploma of Policing on permanent appointment. |
| Tasmania Police | $61,801 | Trainee Constable annual salary from FFPPOOA 1 Dec 2025, paid during the 28-week recruit course. Rises to $63,655 from Dec 2026. | 28 weeks, including 6 weeks' practical training at a station. |
| NT Police | $74,619 | Recruit Constable base for the first 4 months of training ($79,095 from 4 months to graduation), as published by NTPFES in October 2026. Allowances are not paid during training. | 30 weeks for Constables (the PPSO FAQ calls it 'the 32-week Constable course'); ACPO 24 weeks; PPSO 18 weeks; JESCC Auxiliary 12 weeks. |
| AFP | $69,698 | Band 2.3 base from 9 Dec 2025 while at the AFP College (police recruits, national and ACT). No composite during training. PSO recruits start at Band 2.1 ($64,754). | Police (national and ACT): 26 weeks, Federal Police Development Program, with the opportunity to receive the POL50124 Diploma of Policing. |
Two details matter for your budget. Queensland pays recruits 70% of the first-year constable base plus a training allowance, so its figure is calculated by us from that rule; the recruiting site quotes conflicting totals. And in South Australia, interstate and international transition recruits are paid as probationary constables from day one, which is worth knowing if you're already a serving officer. Read more on each force's SA salary page and Queensland salary page.
What each force's salary figure actually includes
This is the table to read before you trust any comparison, including ours. It shows each force's pay instrument, what's paid for shift work, and how the hourly rate for overtime is worked out.
- Pay instrument
- Crown Employees (Police Officers - 2024) Award
State award, NSW Industrial Relations Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- 11.5% loading paid as salary; per-shift allowances on top
- Overtime hourly base
- Overtime is worked out on base salary (excluding the 11.5% loading) ÷ 52.14 weeks ÷ 38 hours.
- Pay instrument
- Victoria Police (Police Officers, Protective Services Officers, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2025
Enterprise agreement, Fair Work Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- 13% commuted penalty already inside the salary; hourly shift loadings on top
- Overtime hourly base
- Victorian salaries include a 13% commuted penalty. Overtime is on the base rate: salary ÷ 1.13 (÷ 1.164 for Inspector and above) ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38.
- Pay instrument
- Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116)
Certified agreement, Queensland Industrial Relations Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- 21% Operational Shift Allowance (OSA); night allowances on top
- Overtime hourly base
- Overtime is on base salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38.
- Pay instrument
- Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024
Industrial agreement, WA Industrial Relations Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- No loading: flat dollar shift allowances per shift on top
- Overtime hourly base
- The WA agreement (cl 10.13, 13.8) sets the hourly rate as annual salary × 12/313 ÷ 80. We use that formula.
- Pay instrument
- South Australia Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 (read with the Police Officers Award)
Enterprise agreement (read with an award), SA Employment Tribunal - Shift and weekend pay
- 23% Response Allowance (metro response roster only)
- Overtime hourly base
- Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38. SAPOL overtime multipliers sit in a separate award we haven't yet confirmed.
- Pay instrument
- Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated)
State award, Tasmanian Industrial Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- 28% shift and penalty allowance (24-hour roster)
- Overtime hourly base
- Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38.
- Pay instrument
- Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2025
Consent agreement, Police Arbitral Tribunal - Shift and weekend pay
- 23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance
- Overtime hourly base
- Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38 using the 2022 agreement's multipliers; the 2025 agreement's overtime changes aren't published.
- Pay instrument
- Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995)
Enterprise agreement, Fair Work Commission - Shift and weekend pay
- 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance
- Overtime hourly base
- The AFP agreement sets the Overtime Rate at (base salary × 12/313) ÷ 40, which equals double the ordinary hourly rate. We use that formula.
| Force | Pay instrument | Shift and weekend pay | Overtime hourly base |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | Crown Employees (Police Officers - 2024) Award State award, NSW Industrial Relations Commission | 11.5% loading paid as salary; per-shift allowances on top | Overtime is worked out on base salary (excluding the 11.5% loading) ÷ 52.14 weeks ÷ 38 hours. |
| Victoria Police | Victoria Police (Police Officers, Protective Services Officers, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2025 Enterprise agreement, Fair Work Commission | 13% commuted penalty already inside the salary; hourly shift loadings on top | Victorian salaries include a 13% commuted penalty. Overtime is on the base rate: salary ÷ 1.13 (÷ 1.164 for Inspector and above) ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38. |
| QPS | Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116) Certified agreement, Queensland Industrial Relations Commission | 21% Operational Shift Allowance (OSA); night allowances on top | Overtime is on base salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38. |
| WA Police | Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 Industrial agreement, WA Industrial Relations Commission | No loading: flat dollar shift allowances per shift on top | The WA agreement (cl 10.13, 13.8) sets the hourly rate as annual salary × 12/313 ÷ 80. We use that formula. |
| SAPOL | South Australia Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 (read with the Police Officers Award) Enterprise agreement (read with an award), SA Employment Tribunal | 23% Response Allowance (metro response roster only) | Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38. SAPOL overtime multipliers sit in a separate award we haven't yet confirmed. |
| Tasmania Police | Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated) State award, Tasmanian Industrial Commission | 28% shift and penalty allowance (24-hour roster) | Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38. |
| NT Police | Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2025 Consent agreement, Police Arbitral Tribunal | 23% Consolidated Allowance + 5% General Policing Allowance | Overtime is estimated on salary ÷ 52.14 ÷ 38 using the 2022 agreement's multipliers; the 2025 agreement's overtime changes aren't published. |
| AFP | Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995) Enterprise agreement, Fair Work Commission | 22% Core Composite + $3,500 Use of Force allowance | The AFP agreement sets the Overtime Rate at (base salary × 12/313) ÷ 40, which equals double the ordinary hourly rate. We use that formula. |
NSW: a loading, plus allowances on someone else's salary
NSW non-commissioned officers get an 11.5% loading paid as salary, which covers weekends and replaces annual leave loading. Shift allowances come on top, worked out on the Sergeant Level 5 salary ($140,989) for everyone: salary ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 7 ÷ 8 × rate × hours (award cl 50). That makes a B shift worth about $8.44 an hour, which is worth relatively more to junior constables. Full detail is on the NSW police salary page.
Victoria: penalties inside the salary, plus new allowances
Victoria's ordinary rate already includes a 13% commuted penalty (16.4% for inspectors and above). The 2025 agreement lifts the pay tables by only 3% a year; the rest of the deal comes through allowances that phase in. For a general-duties Constable 1 those are worth $9,152 a year: capability allowance $3,488, operational readiness allowance $2,644, general duties allowance $1,322, wellbeing allowance $602, retention allowance $1,096. Hourly loadings for evenings, nights and weekends are paid on top.
Queensland: the Operational Shift Allowance
Queensland publishes base salary only. Officers in operational shift positions get the 21% OSA, which replaces shift, weekend and public holiday penalties and annual leave loading, plus 20% or 25% night allowances per shift. Current Queensland rates include the 2025 CPI uplift and come from QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) schedule, which replaced the agreement's printed tables. General-duties officers also get a retention payment: $4,000 on 31 Jan 2026 and $4,000 on 31 Jan 2027 ($8,000 total).
WA, SA, Tasmania, NT and the AFP
WA pays base salary with flat dollar shift allowances. SAPOL publishes only the lowest and highest increment of each rank, so we can't show in-between steps. Tasmania pays a 28% shift and penalty allowance on a 24-hour roster (21% or 15% on other rosters). The NT pays a 23% Consolidated Allowance once you're posted, and most NT rates above Constable 4 are our estimates because the 2025 schedule isn't public. The AFP pays a 22% Core Composite to rostered officers in Bands 2 to 7, and its bands don't map to rank titles.
Five years in: where normal progression takes you
Assuming you progress every year and aren't promoted, this is the pay point you'd reach in your fifth year of service.
- Pay point in year 5
- Constable Level 5
- Base
- $93,993
- Front-line pay
- $104,802
- Pay point in year 5
- Senior Constable Point 5 (Level 2)
- Base
- $102,648
- Front-line pay
- $102,648
- Pay point in year 5
- Constable 1.5
- Base
- $92,541
- Front-line pay
- $111,975
- Pay point in year 5
- Constable 5th year of service & thereafter
- Base
- $102,263
- Front-line pay
- $102,263
- Pay point in year 5
- In-between increments not published
- Pay point in year 5
- Constable Level 5
- Base
- $83,326
- Front-line pay
- $106,657
- Pay point in year 5
- Constable First Class Constable 1/C 5
- Base
- $94,175
- Front-line pay
- $120,544
- Pay point in year 5
- Band 3 (Constable / PSO broadband) 3.4
- Base
- $84,597
- Front-line pay
- $106,708
| Force | Pay point in year 5 | Base | Front-line pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | Constable Level 5 | $93,993 | $104,802 |
| Victoria Police | Senior Constable Point 5 (Level 2) | $102,648 | $102,648 |
| QPS | Constable 1.5 | $92,541 | $111,975 |
| WA Police | Constable 5th year of service & thereafter | $102,263 | $102,263 |
| SAPOL | In-between increments not published | – | – |
| Tasmania Police | Constable Level 5 | $83,326 | $106,657 |
| NT Police | Constable First Class Constable 1/C 5 | $94,175 | $120,544 |
| AFP | Band 3 (Constable / PSO broadband) 3.4 | $84,597 | $106,708 |
Progression rules: NSW 12 months per level plus competencies; Victoria in-situ to Senior Constable after 4 years plus education; Queensland 12 months per pay point plus training; WA 5th-year rate; Tasmania annual increments; NT Constable First Class after 4 completed years plus OSTT; AFP soft barrier from 2.4 to 3.1, then annual increments. AFP's careers page lists $84,597 for 4 years' service, which matches Band 3.4.
Year five: front-line pay
Pay point after normal annual progression, with the standard roster loading or composite. SA is excluded because its in-between increments aren't published.
- NT Police $120,544
- QPS $111,975
- AFP $106,708
- Tasmania Police $106,657
- NSW Police $104,802
- Victoria Police $102,648
- WA Police $102,263
By year five the picture shifts. NT Police leads on front-line pay ($120,544), and Victoria's in-situ step to Senior Constable after four years lifts its salary to $102,648. WA's base reaches $102,263 with First Class Constable still ahead after five years. Progression speed matters as much as starting pay: NSW's new scale takes about nine to ten years from probationary constable to the top of senior constable, according to the government and the Police Association.
Senior constable, sergeant and inspector pay
Most officers spend the bulk of their career as senior constables or sergeants, so the tops of those scales matter more over a lifetime than starting pay. Here the order changes again.
- Senior constable top
- $120,539 calc
- With roster loading
- $154,290
- Sergeant top
- $139,008 calc
- With roster loading
- $177,930
- Inspector entry
- No equivalent published
- Senior constable top
- $117,542
- With roster loading
- $144,577
- Sergeant top
- $135,363
- With roster loading
- $166,496
- Inspector entry
- $168,670
- Senior constable top
- $111,861 calc
- With roster loading
- $139,970
- Sergeant top
- $132,185 calc
- With roster loading
- $164,766
- Inspector entry
- No equivalent published
- Senior constable top
- $118,127
- With roster loading
- $142,934
- Sergeant top
- $133,671
- With roster loading
- $161,742
- Inspector entry
- $179,870
- Senior constable top
- $107,420
- With roster loading
- $137,498
- Sergeant top
- $125,625
- With roster loading
- $160,800
- Inspector entry
- $170,026
- Senior constable top
- $125,281
- With roster loading
- $139,688
- Sergeant top
- $140,989
- With roster loading
- $157,203
- Inspector entry
- $178,719
- Senior constable top
- $118,945
- With roster loading
- $118,945
- Sergeant top
- $149,358
- With roster loading
- $149,358
- Inspector entry
- $170,644
- Senior constable top
- $124,558
- With roster loading
- $124,558
- Sergeant top
- $135,005
- With roster loading
- $135,005
- Inspector entry
- $173,361
| Force | Senior constable top | With roster loading | Sergeant top | With roster loading | Inspector entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT Police | $120,539 calc | $154,290 | $139,008 calc | $177,930 | No equivalent published |
| SAPOL | $117,542 | $144,577 | $135,363 | $166,496 | $168,670 |
| AFP | $111,861 calc | $139,970 | $132,185 calc | $164,766 | No equivalent published |
| QPS | $118,127 | $142,934 | $133,671 | $161,742 | $179,870 |
| Tasmania Police | $107,420 | $137,498 | $125,625 | $160,800 | $170,026 |
| NSW Police | $125,281 | $139,688 | $140,989 | $157,203 | $178,719 |
| Victoria Police | $118,945 | $118,945 | $149,358 | $149,358 | $170,644 |
| WA Police | $124,558 | $124,558 | $135,005 | $135,005 | $173,361 |
'With roster loading' applies the same 24/7 roster loading or composite as the first-year table. Sergeants in specialist or day roles may not receive it. Inspector salaries get no loading; Victoria's and WA's include allowances for extra hours.
Top of the sergeant scale: front-line pay
Bright bar = base; full bar = with the 24/7 roster loading or composite.
- NT Police $177,930 calc
- SAPOL $166,496
- AFP $164,766 calc
- QPS $161,742
- Tasmania Police $160,800
- NSW Police $157,203
- Victoria Police $149,358
- WA Police $135,005
On base salary alone, Victoria Police pays the most at the top of the sergeant scale ($149,358). Add roster loadings and NT Police moves ahead ($177,930). At inspector level, QPS has the highest published entry rate ($179,870), with NSW Police close behind ($178,719). The NT and AFP tables we read have no inspector-equivalent rate.
Watch the top-of-scale definitions
Senior constable isn't the same rank everywhere. Victoria has Leading Senior Constable above it, SA has Senior Constable 1st Class, Tasmania has a single long constable scale, and WA reaches Senior Constable only after about nine years. We compare the top of each force's main senior constable (or equivalent) scale, as recorded in the data.
Employer super: the pay gap you don't see on your payslip
Superannuation is where the biggest hidden differences sit. Queensland pays 18% of ordinary time earnings with no compulsory member contribution. The AFP pays 15.4%, and its 22% composite counts as salary for super. Victoria Police officers join the ESSS defined benefit scheme. Most other forces pay the 12% Superannuation Guarantee, though for SA, Tasmania and the NT that rate is not confirmed on a primary source.
- Employer super
- 12% Superannuation Guarantee
- On first-year base
- $11,358
- First-year package incl. super
- $106,009
- Employer super
- 12% SG minimum (not confirmed)
- On first-year base
- $10,441
- First-year package incl. super
- $121,807
- Employer super
- Defined benefit (ESSS)
- On first-year base
- Defined benefit
- Employer super
- 12% (inferred; not confirmed)
- On first-year base
- $10,008
- First-year package incl. super
- $112,587
- Employer super
- 12% (accumulation; reported)
- On first-year base
- $9,963
- First-year package incl. super
- $102,540
- Employer super
- 18% of ordinary time earnings
- On first-year base
- $14,131
- First-year package incl. super
- $109,122
- Employer super
- 12% SG minimum (not confirmed)
- On first-year base
- $8,822
- First-year package incl. super
- $102,925
- Employer super
- 15.4% (composite counts)
- On first-year base
- $13,587
- First-year package incl. super
- $105,314
| Force | Employer super | On first-year base | First-year package incl. super |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA Police | 12% Superannuation Guarantee | $11,358 | $106,009 |
| NT Police | 12% SG minimum (not confirmed) | $10,441 | $121,807 |
| Victoria Police | Defined benefit (ESSS) | Defined benefit | – |
| SAPOL | 12% (inferred; not confirmed) | $10,008 | $112,587 |
| NSW Police | 12% (accumulation; reported) | $9,963 | $102,540 |
| QPS | 18% of ordinary time earnings | $14,131 | $109,122 |
| Tasmania Police | 12% SG minimum (not confirmed) | $8,822 | $102,925 |
| AFP | 15.4% (composite counts) | $13,587 | $105,314 |
Super is calculated on base salary, except the AFP, where it's calculated on base plus the 22% composite because the EA says the composite counts for super. Package = front-line pay + employer super. Victoria's defined benefit can't be expressed as a yearly dollar amount.
Highest first-year package
$121,807
NT Police, front-line pay plus super
Queensland employer super
$14,131
a year on a first-year base of $78,505
AFP employer super
$13,587
on base plus composite
Over a career, a six-point difference in employer super compounds into a large balance gap. That's why a lower Queensland base isn't the whole story. Project your own balance with the police super calculator.
Shift, weekend and overtime differences
Overtime rules vary as much as base pay. Queensland pays operational non-commissioned officers double time for all overtime, Tasmania and the AFP pay double time, and NSW, Victoria, WA and the NT start at time and a half. The hourly base also differs: NSW excludes the loading, Victoria strips out the 13% penalty, and the AFP's overtime rate is set by a formula in the agreement.
- Overtime rates
- First 2 hours (time and a half); After 2 hours (double time); Public holiday overtime, first 2 hours (double time); Public holiday overtime after 2 hours (double time and a half)
- Summary
- Time and a half for the first 2 hours, then double time.
- Overtime rates
- Weekday, first 3 hours (time and a half); Weekday after 3 hours (double time); Weekend or public holiday (double time)
- Summary
- Monday to Friday: time and a half for the first 3 hours, then double time.
- Overtime rates
- Operational NCOs: all overtime (double time); Others: first 3 hours (time and a half)
- Summary
- Operationally available, OST-qualified non-commissioned officers get double time for all overtime, in recognition of their 'duty to act'.
- Overtime rates
- First 3 hours (time and a half); After 3 hours (double time)
- Summary
- Time and a half for the first 3 hours, then double time (cl 13.3).
- Overtime rates
- Not confirmed: the award clause hasn't been read, so we state no multiplier
- Summary
- Overtime rates are set in the Police Officers Award (cl 5.2), which was not retrieved, so no multiplier is given.
- Overtime rates
- All overtime (double time)
- Summary
- All overtime for Constables and Sergeants is paid at double time, with a 4-hour minimum on call-back.
- Overtime rates
- Weekday (time and a half); Weekend (double time); Public holiday (double time and a half)
- Summary
- Under the 2022 agreement, overtime for Senior Sergeant and below is time and a half on weekdays, double time on weekends and double time and a half on public holidays, with a 4-hour minimum for pre-notified overtime and a 2-hour minimum double-time recall.
- Overtime rates
- All overtime (double time)
- Summary
- All overtime is paid at double time: the Overtime Rate is (base salary x 12/313)/40, twice the base hourly rate.
| Force | Overtime rates | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | First 2 hours (time and a half); After 2 hours (double time); Public holiday overtime, first 2 hours (double time); Public holiday overtime after 2 hours (double time and a half) | Time and a half for the first 2 hours, then double time. |
| Victoria Police | Weekday, first 3 hours (time and a half); Weekday after 3 hours (double time); Weekend or public holiday (double time) | Monday to Friday: time and a half for the first 3 hours, then double time. |
| QPS | Operational NCOs: all overtime (double time); Others: first 3 hours (time and a half) | Operationally available, OST-qualified non-commissioned officers get double time for all overtime, in recognition of their 'duty to act'. |
| WA Police | First 3 hours (time and a half); After 3 hours (double time) | Time and a half for the first 3 hours, then double time (cl 13.3). |
| SAPOL | Not confirmed: the award clause hasn't been read, so we state no multiplier | Overtime rates are set in the Police Officers Award (cl 5.2), which was not retrieved, so no multiplier is given. |
| Tasmania Police | All overtime (double time) | All overtime for Constables and Sergeants is paid at double time, with a 4-hour minimum on call-back. |
| NT Police | Weekday (time and a half); Weekend (double time); Public holiday (double time and a half) | Under the 2022 agreement, overtime for Senior Sergeant and below is time and a half on weekdays, double time on weekends and double time and a half on public holidays, with a 4-hour minimum for pre-notified overtime and a 2-hour minimum double-time recall. |
| AFP | All overtime (double time) | All overtime is paid at double time: the Overtime Rate is (base salary x 12/313)/40, twice the base hourly rate. |
SAPOL's overtime multipliers sit in the Police Officers Award, which we haven't confirmed, so no multiplier is stated as fact. NT rates are from the 2022 agreement; the 2025 agreement's overtime changes aren't public.
For worked examples of a four-hour overtime shift in every force, weekend and public holiday rules, on-call and recall minimums, read our police overtime and penalty rates comparison, or model your own hours in the overtime calculator.
Housing, remote incentives and the cost of living
We don't adjust salaries for cost of living, because we haven't found a sourced, like-for-like index for the places police actually work. What we can show is the housing and remote support written into each force's rules, which can outweigh a salary gap.
WA provides fully subsidised housing in 56 listed country towns, but its regional attraction payment amounts aren't published, so they're not in our figures. Victoria pays a $1,481 remote allowance at listed stations.
Next scheduled pay rises, force by force
Rankings move every time a force's pay date passes. This table shows when each force's current rates took effect and the next change in our data. Proposed or inferred changes are marked unconfirmed.
- Current rates from
- 1 July 2026
- Next change
- 1 July 2027
- What changes
- A 5% rise from the first full pay period on/after 1 Jul 2027 is inferred, not gazetted. unconfirmed
- Current rates from
- 1 June 2026
- Next change
- 1 June 2027
- What changes
- Final scheduled increase under the 2025 agreement: Schedule A rates rise 3.0% (e.g. Constable 1 to $86,582, Recruit to $63,023), and allowances step up, including the last phase of the Operational Readiness Allowance (Constable 1 to $3,632) and General Duties Allowance (Constable 1 to $1,816).
- Current rates from
- 1 July 2026
- Next change
- March 2027
- What changes
- March 2027 Brisbane CPI decides CUA period 2: if it exceeds 2.5%, the difference (capped at 1%) is added to the 1 Jul 2026 increase and back-paid.
- Current rates from
- 1 July 2026
- Next change
- 30 June 2027
- What changes
- Nominal expiry of the 2024 Agreement.
- Current rates from
- 1 January 2026
- Next change
- 1 January 2027
- What changes
- PROPOSED, not ratified: 4% from the first full pay period on or after 1 Jan 2027 under the new enterprise agreement announced by PASA on 16 Sep 2026. unconfirmed
- Current rates from
- 1 December 2025
- Next change
- 1 December 2026
- What changes
- 3% increase to all award salaries from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026 (already in the award table).
- Current rates from
- 7 August 2026
- Next change
- 7 August 2027
- What changes
- Year three of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3% increase, expected from the first pay period on or after about 7 August 2027 (date inferred from the 7 Aug 2025 start and annual steps). unconfirmed
- Current rates from
- 9 December 2025
- Next change
- 9 December 2026
- What changes
- Final EA increase of 2.7%.
| Force | Current rates from | Next change | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | 1 July 2026 | 1 July 2027 | A 5% rise from the first full pay period on/after 1 Jul 2027 is inferred, not gazetted. unconfirmed |
| Victoria Police | 1 June 2026 | 1 June 2027 | Final scheduled increase under the 2025 agreement: Schedule A rates rise 3.0% (e.g. Constable 1 to $86,582, Recruit to $63,023), and allowances step up, including the last phase of the Operational Readiness Allowance (Constable 1 to $3,632) and General Duties Allowance (Constable 1 to $1,816). |
| QPS | 1 July 2026 | March 2027 | March 2027 Brisbane CPI decides CUA period 2: if it exceeds 2.5%, the difference (capped at 1%) is added to the 1 Jul 2026 increase and back-paid. |
| WA Police | 1 July 2026 | 30 June 2027 | Nominal expiry of the 2024 Agreement. |
| SAPOL | 1 January 2026 | 1 January 2027 | PROPOSED, not ratified: 4% from the first full pay period on or after 1 Jan 2027 under the new enterprise agreement announced by PASA on 16 Sep 2026. unconfirmed |
| Tasmania Police | 1 December 2025 | 1 December 2026 | 3% increase to all award salaries from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026 (already in the award table). |
| NT Police | 7 August 2026 | 7 August 2027 | Year three of the 2025 Consent Agreement: 3% increase, expected from the first pay period on or after about 7 August 2027 (date inferred from the 7 Aug 2025 start and annual steps). unconfirmed |
| AFP | 9 December 2025 | 9 December 2026 | Final EA increase of 2.7%. |
Watch three things in the next year: Tasmania (1 December 2026) and the AFP (9 December 2026) have scheduled rises; South Australia's proposed agreement needs a member vote and tribunal approval before its 1 January 2027 rise can be paid; and WA's agreement expires on 30 June 2027 with no rise scheduled after July 2026. Follow each one on the pay deal tracker.
Which force pays most at each stage, and why the answer changes
In training
NT Police
$74,619
First year, base
WA Police
$94,651
First year, front-line
NT Police
$111,366
Year five, front-line
NT Police
$120,544
Senior constable top, base
NSW Police
$125,281
Sergeant top, base
Victoria Police
$149,358
Sergeant top, front-line
NT Police
$177,930
Inspector entry
QPS
$179,870
The answer changes for three reasons. Loadings are structured differently, so a percentage-based force jumps ahead once you're rostered. Scale shapes differ: WA starts high but moves in two-year increments, while Victoria starts lower and promotes in situ to Senior Constable after four years. And pay dates differ, so a force that rose in July can be overtaken by one that rises in December.
When the headline salary is a good guide
- ✓You'll work a standard 24/7 general-duties roster, so the front-line column applies
- ✓You're comparing forces that both pay a percentage loading (QLD, TAS, NT, AFP)
- ✓You're looking at commissioned ranks, which have no loading
When it misleads
- ✕You're comparing a per-shift force (NSW, VIC, WA) with a percentage one
- ✕You'll spend years in a day role or a specialist unit without the roster allowance
- ✕One force has just had a pay rise and the other hasn't yet
Before you choose a force on pay
- ✓ Compare front-line pay, not the recruiting headline
- ✓ Check how long it takes to reach senior constable
- ✓ Add employer super to the package
- ✓ Check housing and remote incentives where you'd be posted
- ✓ Look at the next scheduled pay date
- ✓ Read the force's own profile for recruiting and academy details
What would you earn in another force?
Enter your rank and years of service and see your pay in all eight forces, side by side.
If you're weighing a move, the highest-paid police force analysis looks at total packages and remote postings in more depth, and each force's salary page (for example WA police salary or Victoria Police salary) has every pay point.
Free email alerts
Get an alert the day your force's pay deal moves
When a pay offer is announced, voted on, approved or paid, we update this comparison and email you what it means for your rank, before most payslips show it.
- ✓Pay offers, votes and back pay dates for your force
- ✓The updated national ranking after every rise
Frequently asked questions
How much do police earn in Australia in 2026?
A first-year constable earns between $72,317 (AFP) and $94,651 (WA Police) in base salary. With each force's standard front-line loading or composite, first-year pay runs up to $111,366 in NT Police. Sergeants at the top of the scale earn about $125,625 to $149,358 base, and inspectors start at $168,670 or more where an inspector rate is published.
Which state pays police the most?
It depends on the stage of your career. WA Police has the highest first-year base salary, NT Police the highest first-year pay once roster allowances are added, Victoria Police the highest top-of-scale sergeant salary on base, and QPS the highest published inspector entry rate. See our highest-paid force analysis for every lens.
Why does NSW quote a higher salary than its pay table?
NSW pays non-commissioned officers an 11.5% loading as salary, in place of weekend penalties and annual leave loading. A probationary constable's base salary is $83,028; with the loading it is $92,576. Overtime is worked out on the base figure, without the loading, which is why both numbers matter.
Is Queensland police pay lower than other states?
Queensland's base salary is lower than several forces ($78,505 for a first-year constable, QPS's official CPI-uplifted rate). But most front-line officers also get the 21% Operational Shift Allowance, taking it to $94,991, and Queensland pays 18% employer super, the highest of any force.
Do police get paid while training at the academy?
Yes in every force except for NSW's first online session. NT Police pays recruits the most ($74,619). NSW students are paid $1,360 a week during the 16-week Goulburn session as temporary staff, but the first 16-week online session is unpaid, according to NSW Police.
Does Victoria Police pay include penalty rates?
Partly. Victorian salaries already include a 13% commuted penalty for weekend, public holiday and shift liability, so a Constable's $84,060 is not a bare base salary. Hourly shift loadings for evenings, nights and weekends are paid on top, plus allowances worth about $9,152 a year to a general-duties first-year constable.
How much super do police get in Australia?
Every force pays at least the 12% Superannuation Guarantee. Queensland pays 18% and the AFP 15.4%, with the AFP's 22% composite also counting for super. Victoria Police officers are in the ESSS defined benefit scheme, so their benefit depends on salary and years of service rather than a percentage contribution.
When is the next police pay rise?
In date order, the next pay changes in our data are: Tasmania Police (1 December 2026), AFP (9 December 2026), SAPOL (1 January 2027), QPS (March 2027). South Australia's rise is part of a proposed agreement that still needs a member vote and tribunal approval. WA's agreement has no rise after 1 July 2026 and expires on 30 June 2027.
Are these figures before or after tax?
All salary figures on this page are gross annual pay before tax. Take-home pay depends on your roster, overtime, HELP debt and deductions. Use the take-home pay calculator to see what lands in your account each fortnight under 2026-27 tax rates.
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.
- Crown Employees (Police Officers - 2024) Award, NSW Industrial Gazette Vol 397, 9 May 2025, pp 1238-1334 — NSW Police pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Victoria Police (Police Officers, PSOs, Police Reservists and Police Recruits) Enterprise Agreement 2025, [2025] FWCA 1135, AE528554 — Victoria Police pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116) — QPS pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Western Australia Police Force Industrial Agreement 2024 (WAIRC, WES338) — WA Police pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- South Australia Police Enterprise Agreement 2021 (approved, SAET ET-21-00375; scanned PDF read by the scanned copy) — SAPOL pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Police Award No. 2 of 2026 (Consolidated), TIC T15311 of 2026 (read via Wayback Machine copy 2026-05-20) — Tasmania Police pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Northern Territory Police Force Consent Agreement 2022 (PAT-certified), NTPA copy — NT Police pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995, [2024] FWCA 4231) — AFP pay tables, loadings and overtime rules
- NSW Police Force recruitment: Salary and benefits
- Victoria Police: Salary and benefits
- 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)
- Let's Join Forces (WA Police Force): Salary and allowances
- SAPOL: Career progression and salaries
- PASA via Medianet: PASA secures landmark enterprise agreement for South Australia Police (16 Sep 2026; proposed, not ratified)
- Tasmania Police Recruitment: Benefits
- NTPFES: Constable recruitment page
- AFP: Leave, pay and benefits
- AFP: Police officer - national policing
- ATO: Tax rates for Australian residents 2026-27 — used for the take-home column
Related guides
Pay
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.