Police retirement age in every force
What each force's legislation says, as far as we could confirm it.
Australia has no single police retirement age. Each force sets its own through its police Act, and some have changed recently. Here's the position in all eight, with the forces we couldn't confirm clearly flagged.
- Compulsory age
- None found unconfirmed
- Voluntary / early
- Not stated
- Notes
- No age-based compulsory retirement found in the Police Act 1990 (s94C covers retirement by notice). The historic rule was 60, not confirmed as current.
- Compulsory age
- Not confirmed unconfirmed
- Voluntary / early
- Not confirmed
- Notes
- We could not confirm a compulsory retirement age from a primary source. ESSS lump sums are payable from 50.
- Compulsory age
- 60
- Voluntary / early
- QSuper Police account: from 55
- Notes
- Compulsory retirement at 60 per our Queensland data (QSuper information); we haven't checked the section of the Police Service Administration Act ourselves.
- Compulsory age
- Not confirmed unconfirmed
- Voluntary / early
- Not confirmed
- Notes
- No WA retirement age was verified.
- Compulsory age
- Not confirmed unconfirmed
- Voluntary / early
- Triple S access from 50 (reported)
- Notes
- No compulsory age verified. Triple S is reported to let police access super on retirement from 50.
- Compulsory age
- 65
- Voluntary / early
- From 55
- Notes
- Police Service Act 2003 (Tas).
- Compulsory age
- 67
- Voluntary / early
- From 55
- Notes
- Police Administration Act s22(2), raised to 67 from 7 December 2023. The NTPFES recruiting FAQ still says 65, which is out of date.
- Compulsory age
- None
- Voluntary / early
- Minimum retiring age 55
- Notes
- No compulsory retirement age in the current AFP Act 1979; employees may retire any time after 55 (s31).
| Force | Compulsory age | Voluntary / early | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Police | None found unconfirmed | Not stated | No age-based compulsory retirement found in the Police Act 1990 (s94C covers retirement by notice). The historic rule was 60, not confirmed as current. |
| Victoria Police | Not confirmed unconfirmed | Not confirmed | We could not confirm a compulsory retirement age from a primary source. ESSS lump sums are payable from 50. |
| QPS | 60 | QSuper Police account: from 55 | Compulsory retirement at 60 per our Queensland data (QSuper information); we haven't checked the section of the Police Service Administration Act ourselves. |
| WA Police | Not confirmed unconfirmed | Not confirmed | No WA retirement age was verified. |
| SAPOL | Not confirmed unconfirmed | Triple S access from 50 (reported) | No compulsory age verified. Triple S is reported to let police access super on retirement from 50. |
| Tasmania Police | 65 | From 55 | Police Service Act 2003 (Tas). |
| NT Police | 67 | From 55 | Police Administration Act s22(2), raised to 67 from 7 December 2023. The NTPFES recruiting FAQ still says 65, which is out of date. |
| AFP | None | Minimum retiring age 55 | No compulsory retirement age in the current AFP Act 1979; employees may retire any time after 55 (s31). |
'unconfirmed' means we couldn't verify the current rule on a primary source. Your police association or force HR can confirm.
Four forces are clear. Queensland's compulsory age is 60, Tasmania's is 65, and the Northern Territory's is now 67. The AFP has no compulsory age at all. For NSW, Victoria, WA and SA, we couldn't confirm a current compulsory age from the legislation or an official statement, so we say so rather than repeat old numbers.
Lowest confirmed
60
Queensland
Highest confirmed
67
Northern Territory
Earliest voluntary
55
TAS, NT and AFP
Super preservation age
60
born after 30 June 1964
Three ages that matter, and why they're different
Officers often mix up three separate ages. Getting them straight is the first step in planning when you'll leave.
- 1
Compulsory retirement age
Set by your police ActThe age at which your force's legislation says you must leave. It's set by the state or Commonwealth police Act, not by your super fund.
- 2
Voluntary or minimum retirement age
Set by your police Act or schemeThe earliest age you can retire, as opposed to resign. In Tasmania, the NT and the AFP it's 55. Retiring rather than resigning can matter for scheme benefits.
- 3
Preservation age
Set by the CommonwealthThe age you can generally get at accumulation super: 60 for everyone born after 30 June 1964. It's set by federal super law, not your force.
The gap between the second and third is where many plans fall down. You can retire from the AFP at 55, but if all your super is in PSSap accumulation, it stays locked until 60 unless you meet another condition of release. You'd need five years of other income.
Your police Act decides when you can leave. Federal super law decides when you can be paid.
Queensland Police: compulsory retirement at 60
Queensland officers must retire at 60. That's the lowest confirmed compulsory age of any Australian force, and it lines up neatly with preservation age: a Queensland officer retiring at 60 can access accumulation super straight away.
Our Queensland data takes the age from QSuper's police scheme information. We haven't checked the specific section of the Police Service Administration Act ourselves, so treat the legal reference as something to confirm with the Queensland Police Union or QPS HR if it matters to your plans.
18% employer super, but fewer years to earn it
Queensland's 18% employer rate is the highest of any force, but retiring at 60 means fewer years of contributions than an officer who can serve to 65 or 67. Run both scenarios in the police super calculator.
Members of the closed QSuper Police defined benefit account can take a reduced pension from 55; the factors are in the early retirement section below. See the Queensland force profile for pay and conditions.
Tasmania Police: compulsory at 65, voluntary from 55
Under the Police Service Act 2003, Tasmania Police officers must retire at 65 and may retire voluntarily from 55. The recruiting site makes the same point to applicants: you can apply from 17 and a half and must retire at 65.
The Act also deals with officers who can't continue for health reasons. The Commissioner may decide that an officer is unable to perform their duties because of mental illness, injury, illness, disease or general physical unfitness, may direct a medical examination, and the officer may retire with the Commissioner's written agreement. What that's worth financially depends on your super scheme and insurance.
Compulsory
65
Police Service Act 2003
Voluntary from
55
Super access
60
preservation age, accumulation
Tasmania's employer super rate for police isn't confirmed beyond the 12% Superannuation Guarantee, so check your fund statements. More in the Tasmania Police profile.
NT Police: 67, not 65
The Northern Territory raised its compulsory retirement age from 65 to 67. The change is in section 22(2) of the Police Administration Act, made by Act No. 31 of 2023, which commenced on 7 December 2023. Voluntary retirement is available from 55.
The recruiting FAQ is out of date
The NTPFES recruiting FAQ still says the retirement age is 65. The Act says 67. If you're planning around the date, go by the Act and confirm with the NT Police Association or NTPFES HR.
The Act also lets retired members be reappointed at a rank no higher than their last, but not if they're 67 or older. On medical grounds, the Commissioner may retire a member who is totally and permanently incapacitated, after considering the applicable super legislation. If a member isn't totally and permanently incapacitated but can't do their duties, the Commissioner must take reasonable steps such as alternative duties.
NT officers who joined before 10 August 1999 must keep contributing to CSS or NTGPASS, which have their own retirement rules. Later officers are in the fund of their choice. See the NT Police profile.
AFP: no compulsory retirement age, retire from 55
The current Australian Federal Police Act 1979 has no compulsory retirement age. Employees may retire at any time after the minimum retiring age of 55 (section 31). You'll still see the old "retire at 60" rule quoted online; it isn't current.
What no compulsory age gives you
- ✓You choose when to go, health and role permitting
- ✓More years of 15.4% employer super into PSSap
- ✓Retire from 55 if you have other income to bridge to 60
What to plan for
- ✕PSSap is preserved to 60 unless another condition of release applies
- ✕Operational roles have fitness and medical standards regardless of age
- ✕CSS and PSS members have their own scheme ages and factors
Invalidity retirement is separate. The Commissioner may retire an employee for physical or mental incapacity, with or without consent, under section 32, and non-consensual retirement is reviewable. CSS members below maximum retiring age and PSS or PSSap ordinary employer-sponsored members under 60 can't be retired on invalidity grounds unless CSC certifies. More on the AFP profile.
NSW, Victoria, WA and SA: what isn't confirmed
We'd rather tell you what we couldn't verify than repeat an old number.
For four forces, we couldn't confirm a current compulsory retirement age from the legislation or an official statement. Here's what we did find, and who can confirm the rest.
NSW
- What we found
- No age-based compulsory retirement in the current Police Act 1990; s94C covers retirement or resignation by notice. The historic rule was 60.
- Who can confirm
- Police Association of NSW; NSWPF HR
Victoria
- What we found
- Not confirmed from a primary source. ESSS lump sums are payable from 50, and operational members leaving at 55 or over get a lump sum rather than a disability pension.
- Who can confirm
- The Police Association Victoria; ESSSuper
WA
- What we found
- Not verified.
- Who can confirm
- WA Police Union; WA Police Force HR
SA
- What we found
- Not verified. Triple S is reported to let police access super on retirement from 50.
- Who can confirm
- Police Association of SA; Super SA
| Force | What we found | Who can confirm |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | No age-based compulsory retirement in the current Police Act 1990; s94C covers retirement or resignation by notice. The historic rule was 60. | Police Association of NSW; NSWPF HR |
| Victoria | Not confirmed from a primary source. ESSS lump sums are payable from 50, and operational members leaving at 55 or over get a lump sum rather than a disability pension. | The Police Association Victoria; ESSSuper |
| WA | Not verified. | WA Police Union; WA Police Force HR |
| SA | Not verified. Triple S is reported to let police access super on retirement from 50. | Police Association of SA; Super SA |
If you serve in one of these forces and you're within a few years of a likely retirement date, ask for the rule in writing from HR and check it with your association. It's a short email that removes a big uncertainty from your planning.
Retiring before 60: bridging the gap to your super
Plenty of officers want to leave in their mid-fifties, after 30-plus years of shift work. The obstacle is usually money, not the police Act. Accumulation super is preserved until 60, so retiring at 55 means five years without access to it, unless your scheme says otherwise.
50
- Years to preservation age
- 10 years
- Notes
- ESSS lump sum (Vic) and Triple S for SA police (reported) can be paid from 50
55
- Years to preservation age
- 5 years
- Notes
- Voluntary retirement from 55 in Tasmania, the NT and the AFP
57
- Years to preservation age
- 3 years
- Notes
- Accumulation super still preserved unless another condition of release applies
60
- Years to preservation age
- None
- Notes
- Preservation age: retire and access accumulation super
| If you retire at | Years to preservation age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 10 years | ESSS lump sum (Vic) and Triple S for SA police (reported) can be paid from 50 |
| 55 | 5 years | Voluntary retirement from 55 in Tasmania, the NT and the AFP |
| 57 | 3 years | Accumulation super still preserved unless another condition of release applies |
| 60 | None | Preservation age: retire and access accumulation super |
General rules only. Defined benefit schemes and some state schemes have their own access ages.
Ways officers bridge the gap
- ✓ Savings and investments outside super
- ✓ A defined benefit lump sum or pension that's payable earlier under scheme rules
- ✓ Long service leave and annual leave paid out on leaving
- ✓ Part-time or civilian work after policing
- ✓ A partner's income for those years
Once you reach 60, a transition-to-retirement income stream also lets you draw on super while still working. The full rules are in preservation age and access.
Compare retiring at 55, 60 and 65
Run the projection at different retirement ages with your force's employer rate. The paid report adds a side-by-side table for every age from 55 to 67.
Early retirement in police defined benefit schemes
The closed schemes reward staying to their normal age.
If you're in a closed defined benefit scheme, the scheme's own early-retirement rules usually matter more than your police Act. Retiring early generally means a smaller pension or lump sum.
QSuper Police account (Queensland, closed 1993)
The pension at 60 is your fortnightly final average salary times a service formula, capped at 75%. Retire between 55 and 59 and the pension is multiplied by (85 + 3 × (age − 55)) ÷ 100.
55
- Share of full pension
- 85%
- Calculation
- Pension × 0.85
56
- Share of full pension
- 88%
- Calculation
- Pension × 0.88
57
- Share of full pension
- 91%
- Calculation
- Pension × 0.91
58
- Share of full pension
- 94%
- Calculation
- Pension × 0.94
59
- Share of full pension
- 97%
- Calculation
- Pension × 0.97
60
- Share of full pension
- 100%
- Calculation
- Full formula pension
| Age at retirement | Share of full pension | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 85% | Pension × 0.85 |
| 56 | 88% | Pension × 0.88 |
| 57 | 91% | Pension × 0.91 |
| 58 | 94% | Pension × 0.94 |
| 59 | 97% | Pension × 0.97 |
| 60 | 100% | Full formula pension |
NSW Police Superannuation Scheme (closed 1988)
The maximum pension is 72.75% of salary after 30 years at 60 or over, or a maximum lump sum of 7.95 times salary. Early retirement at 55 gives up to a 58.20% pension or a 7.58 times lump sum, according to State Super's PSS fact sheet.
Victoria's ESSS
The ESSS lump sum is payable from age 50 (not on disability). Operational members who leave at 55 or over get a lump sum rather than a disability pension. Ask ESSSuper for an estimate at each age you're considering.
Medical retirement follows different rules
Retiring because of injury or illness isn't governed by the age rules above. Each force has its own process, and the money depends on your super scheme, insurance and, in some forces, a separate compensation scheme. WA, for example, pays a lump sum to officers medically retired for a work-related injury or illness under its 2021 compensation scheme.
Super law also has its own medical conditions of release, permanent incapacity and terminal illness, which can unlock super before 60. See police medical retirement for the national picture, and your force's guide below.
A retirement planning timeline for police
- 1
10 years out
Know the rulesConfirm your scheme, your force's retirement age and your preservation age. Get your first benefit estimate.
- 2
5 years out
Build the planReview salary sacrifice against the $32,500 cap, check insurance, and talk to a licensed adviser if your situation is complex.
- 3
2 years out
Final salaryCheck how final average salary is measured in a defined benefit scheme. Higher-paid duties in the last years can matter.
- 4
12 months out
PaperworkAsk HR for your leave balances and how they're paid out. Check notice periods and the paperwork for retiring, not resigning.
- 5
On the day
LeavingConfirm what insurance stops, update your binding nomination, and decide how to take your benefit: lump sum, pension or both.
Your fund can give you a benefit estimate, your association can confirm the rules for your force, and a licensed financial adviser can give you personal advice. This page is general information, not advice.
Coming back after you retire
Retiring from the police doesn't always mean leaving policing. Several forces actively bring back former officers.
Victoria
- Route back
- Retired officers with at least 2 years' prior service (Australia, NZ or UK) are being recruited as reservists, paid $86,188 full time on the current table.
NSW
- Route back
- Former NSWPF officers with 3+ years' service who left less than 3 years ago can apply for reappointment, with a 12-month probation and a 3-year tenure.
Northern Territory
- Route back
- Retired members may be reappointed at a rank not above their last rank, but not if they're 67 or older.
| Force | Route back |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Retired officers with at least 2 years' prior service (Australia, NZ or UK) are being recruited as reservists, paid $86,188 full time on the current table. |
| NSW | Former NSWPF officers with 3+ years' service who left less than 3 years ago can apply for reappointment, with a 12-month probation and a 3-year tenure. |
| Northern Territory | Retired members may be reappointed at a rank not above their last rank, but not if they're 67 or older. |
Victoria's reservist recruitment figures come from a news report; check current openings with Victoria Police.
Coming back can affect a pension or super arrangement, so check with your scheme first. For civilian options, see careers after policing, and for everything in this series, the retiring hub.
Free email alerts
Know the day your force's retirement rules change
Retirement ages, early-retirement factors and super access rules do change, as the NT's move to 67 showed. We email you when a force or scheme changes the rules for retiring officers.
- ✓Retirement age and police Act changes
- ✓Super access and scheme rule updates
Frequently asked questions
What is the compulsory retirement age for police in Australia?
There isn't one national age. Queensland police retire at 60, Tasmania Police at 65 and NT Police at 67. The AFP has no compulsory retirement age. We couldn't confirm a current compulsory age for NSW, Victoria, WA or SA; NSW's historic rule was 60, but no such provision was found in the current Police Act 1990.
Can police retire at 55?
In several forces, yes. Tasmania Police and NT Police allow voluntary retirement from 55, and AFP employees may retire any time after the minimum retiring age of 55. But retiring at 55 doesn't unlock accumulation super, which is preserved until 60 unless your scheme has its own earlier access rules.
Is the NT Police retirement age 65 or 67?
It's 67. The Police Administration Act was amended by Act No. 31 of 2023, which commenced on 7 December 2023 and raised the compulsory age in s22(2) from 65 to 67. The NTPFES recruiting FAQ still says 65, which is out of date. Voluntary retirement is available from 55.
Does the AFP have a compulsory retirement age?
No. The current AFP Act 1979 has no compulsory retirement age. Employees may retire at any time after reaching the minimum retiring age of 55 under section 31. The older 'retire at 60' rule you may see quoted is no longer current.
Do NSW police have to retire at 60?
Not as far as we can find. No age-based compulsory retirement provision appears in the current Police Act 1990, where s94C covers retirement or resignation by notice. Retirement at 60 was the historic rule, but we haven't found an official statement confirming whether any age limit still applies. The Police Association of NSW can confirm.
Can I access my super when I retire from the police?
If you're 60 or older and retire, generally yes. Under 60, accumulation super stays preserved unless you meet another condition of release, such as permanent incapacity. Some police schemes are different: Victoria's ESSS lump sum is payable from 50, and SA police are reported to access Triple S on retirement from 50.
What happens if I retire early from a defined benefit scheme?
Most defined benefit schemes reduce the benefit if you retire before the scheme's normal age. In the closed QSuper Police account, a pension at 55 is 85% of the formula amount, rising 3 points a year to the full amount at 60. NSW PSS members can retire at 55 with up to a 58.20% pension instead of 72.75%.
Can retired police officers rejoin?
Often, yes. Victoria Police is recruiting retired officers with at least 2 years' prior service as reservists. NSW has a reappointment program for former officers who left less than 3 years ago, and the NT allows reappointment of retired members at a rank not above their last, but not at 67 or over.
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.
- Police Service Act 2003 (Tas)
- Police Administration Act 1978 (NT), as in force at 6 December 2025
- Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (compilation 8 Nov 2025)
- QSuper Police Account Guide (issued 1 Jul 2026)
- Police Act 1990 (NSW), current version
- ESSSuper: ESSS Defined Benefit Fund PDS (issued 28 Feb 2025)
- State Super PSS Fact Sheet 1: Overview of the Police Superannuation Scheme (18 May 2026)
- NSW Police Force recruitment: Reappointment program
- ABC News: Victoria Police reservists, recruitment and crime (16 Aug 2026)
- ATO: Super withdrawal options — preservation age and access
- ATO: Common conditions of release — retirement, TTR, incapacity, terminal illness
Related guides
Retiring and super
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.