How to become a police officer

Begin your policing career

Pathways to a career in policing vary from state-to-state, but here’s a general guide to get you started:

1. Complete your secondary school certificate or equivalent training if you’re under 21.

2. Hold a full driver’s licence.

3. Get a Level 1 First Aid Certificate with CPR.

4. Consider a TAFE or undergraduate criminal justice course, such as the Bachelor of Policing and Public Safety.

5. Go through the application process with the police force you would like to join (federal or state). You must pass a range of physical, mental, and aptitude tests to complete your police training, as well as traffic and background checks.

6. Study a postgraduate criminal justice or criminology degree to advance to more senior roles.

What is a police officer?

The role of a police officer in Australia is to protect the public, maintain law and order, and prevent crime in the community. Keep in mind there are few steps to becoming a police officer in Australia, such as undergoing specific police training. Police officers must also be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

What does a police officer do?

As a police officer in Australia, your role will be diverse and vary from day to day. On one shift you may be the first responder to an accident or crime scene and in the next you may be providing evidence in court.

As a sworn officer, your duties may include:

• Responding to community safety concerns.

• Attending accidents, critical incidents, and emergencies.

• Investigating crime and interview witnesses, suspects, and victims.

• Enforcing traffic law.

• Responding to drug and alcohol affected people.

• Keeping a diary of the duties you perform and submitting paperwork on jobs you attend.

• Attending court hearings and giving evidence when needed.

• Attending community events, protests, and strikes.

• Talking to and assisting vulnerable members of the community.

Police officer skills

As well as meeting the official requirements to be a police officer, it will help if you develop the following skills:

• teamwork

• conflict resolution

• judgement and decision-making

• strong communication

• attention to detail

• courage

• first aid and CPR knowledge

• physical fitness

Police officer salary

According to PayScale at the time of writing, the average salary for a police officer is $71,404 per year.

The exact amount will differ depending on which state or territory you work in.

Industry bodies

• Australian Federal Police Association

• International Police Association Australia

• Police Federation of Australia

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