Stage 1: Minimum Application Requirements
You must satisfy the following minimum application requirements before submitting your application.
Residency
You must be either an Australian citizen, or hold permanent residency status or be a New Zealand citizen holding a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth). Proof of permanent residency or citizenship is required when submitting your application.
Further information on immigration matters can be found at the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship website www.immi.gov.au or by phoning 131 881.
Driver licence
You must hold a current Australian Open driver licence to operate a motor vehicle (manual or automatic) ;
or
a current Australian Provisional driver licence, with one years driving experience and successful completion of a defensive driving course recognised by the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The QPS recognises the following defensive driving course:
- Drive Vehicle in Queensland (TLIC107C)
Defensive driving courses must be delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The following RTO's have agreed to list their names as providers of this course.
| Advanced Driver Training Centre 3 Escott Place Annandale TOWNSVILLE QLD 4814 Ph: (07) 4775 5092 |
Precise School of Driving Pty Ltd Also Trading as Precise Driver Training PO BOX 3939, Burleigh Town Qld 4220 (3 Ruff Court, Burleigh Waters, Qld 4220) Ph 1300 85 95 03 Ph (07) 5520 1011 - 5520 1012 |
| D/T Education PO Box 282 MORAYFIELD QLD 4506 Ph: (07) 5497 0554 |
To drive police patrol vehicles, police officers must meet particular medical and health standards as outlined by the National Road Transport Commission's guidelines. These medical standards have been incorporated into the medical and fitness testing associated with Stage 2 of the selection process.
Information about obtaining an open driver licence can be found at Queensland Transport.
Educational/employment experience
To apply to become a police officer you must meet the following education and employment experience requirements:
| Full-time employment experience | Required Study |
| Less than 3 years employment |
The successful completion of 3 or more full-time semesters of accredited study (or equivalent) within a Bachelor degree course or a completed accredited Diploma |
| Between 3 and 5 years employment |
Minimum of 400 hours of Diploma-level study (comprising at least 200 hours of level IV subjects or higher) or 8 subjects of a Bachelor degree |
| More than 5 years employment |
Minimum of 200 hours of Diploma-level study (level IV subjects or higher) or 4 subjects of a Bachelor degree |
Please note:
- Indigenous Australians who do not meet the aforementioned education and employment experience, may be eligible for a QPS Traineeship. Refer the Justice Entry Program (JEP) section of this website for further information.
- Current or recent serving ADF Personnel may be eligible for an education exemption, depending on their length of tenure and training within the Australian Defence Force. Refer the ADF section of this website.
- All educational qualification requirements are subject to change at any time without notice.
- Studies should contain assignment-based assessments involving researching, problem-solving, proven literacy and analytical ability.
- Educational qualifications must be accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework or VETEC/VETAB.
- Full-time employment is defined as employment after completing secondary education and may include voluntary or unpaid work performed on a regular basis (for example, caring for family, disabled or elderly people). Part-time or volunteer work experience is also recognised.
- You must supply a copy of the results of your education qualifications with your application. You will be required to present an original of these documents at a later date.
ADF Applicants Revised Education Entry Standards
The QPS recently reviewed the entry requirements for ADF personnel to recognise certain ADF service and training.
The standard PROVE application normally requires applicants to have successfully undertaken a minimum of 200 hours of Diploma level study to be considered for entry to the QPS.
Sergeants/Petty Officers and senior ranks
Applicants with at least four (4) years full time ADF service and have achieved the rank of Substantive Sergeant/Petty Officer (or equivalent) or higher, are automatically granted an education exemption. Although an education exemption applies to this group of applicants, all other minimum entrance requirements of the PROVE program must be met.
ADF Personnel who have attained this rank or higher are eligible to fill out the PROVE application and send it to:
QUEENSLAND POLICE RECRUITING
GPO Box 1395
Brisbane QLD 4001
Ranks below Sergeant/Petty Officers
If you hold the rank of Substantive Corporal/Leading Seaman or below with a minimum of 4 years full time service you may be eligible for a partial or full education exemption. If you believe you have gained equivalent knowledge, skills and training to be exempt from the minimum 200 hours of tertiary education, please apply in the following method;
- Complete the ADF Application for Education Exemption Form (
28 KB) - Attach your complete record of training and service including results of promotion examinations.
- Attach your latest 2 evaluation reports. If these reports have not been overviewed by a commissioned officer, please supply the name of a commissioned officer who can be contacted.
- A copy of your latest medical examination results (if available)
- Any other documents that may assist with your application for recognition of ADF service in lieu of 200 hours tertiary study. Send this information marked ‘ADF Confidential’ to;
Principal Recruiting Officer
Application Case Management Unit
POLICE RECRUITING
Queensland Police Service
GPO Box 1440,
Brisbane Qld 4001
Or email Recruiting-ADF@police.qld.gov.au for further details.
Former ADF personnel can apply under the same conditions, provided they have been discharged for a period no longer than five years. (The Manager of Recruiting may, at his discretion, consider applicants who have been discharged for a period greater than five years)
How do I obtain the necessary qualifications?
If you do not currently fulfill the prescribed educational application requirements you are required to undertake tertiary studies. Although not mandatory, evidence suggests that recruits who have previously undertaken studies in a justice discipline have found it of benefit to complete the Police Recruit Operational Vocational Education (PROVE) program.
For more information on obtaining the necessary educational qualifications, you can contact your local university, TAFE or accredited training provider. The following links are to be used as a guide only and are by no means exhaustive.
University
Australian Universities
TAFE
TAFE Queensland
(For interstaters, TAFE Colleges outside of Queensland are numerous and plentiful)
Accredited Training Organisations
There are many Registered Training Organisations who offer accredited courses and can be found by conducting an 'internet search' or through the yellow and or white pages. For internet searches it is suggested that you use search words such as those listed below, to locate a course that meets your educational requirements. While you can study across a range of course areas it can prove helpful to study subjects in a field directly related to law enforcement. Possible search words can include Certificate IV, Diploma, Justice, Criminology, Police Officer preparation, Legal Studies, police recruit etc.
Bachelor Level Courses: Studies can be undertaken in a range of undergraduate degree courses. Suggested disciplines include but are not limited to, sociology, psychology, law, commerce, economics, management and business. Degree courses that focus specifically on the criminal justice system are available at Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point campus, University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus and University of Sunshine Coast.
Diploma Courses: Diploma-level courses are offered by various vocational, education and training sector providers. Studies in the Diploma of Justice Administration, Diploma of Public Safety and Diploma of Business or Management are considered to be particularly suitable for the professional development of police officers.
Traineeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: The Traineeship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People is a six-month, full-time vocational preparation course for Indigenous Australians seeking to enter the QPS. For further information, contact POLICE RECRUITING on (07) 3364 8000 or email jep@police.qld.gov.au
English Language Courses: Effective policing relies heavily on a good command of the English language. If you are an applicant from a non-English speaking background, and you have difficulty interpreting the English language, you may be asked to undertake an Australian Second Language Proficiency Ratings Scale (ASLPR) assessment. English language courses are available for people from non-English speaking backgrounds seeking to improve their written and oral English language skills. Information can be obtained from the Southbank Institute of TAFE on(07) 3244 5000 or from local TAFE Institutes.
Trade certificate apprenticeships and Certificates I, II and III: These qualifications do not currently meet the required study level.
Why do I need educational qualifications to apply to become a police officer?
Tertiary education provides an opportunity to develop further knowledge, skills and abilities. The higher your education level the more competitive you may be in the psychometric assessment component of the selection process. The skills and abilities you develop through education are required for you to be successful in the PROVE program at the Queensland Police Service Academy. The PROVE program prepares recruits with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the role of an operational police officer.
Life experience
A broad range of life experiences are integral in performing competently as an operational police officer. This requirement ensures that you are equipped with the personal and practical knowledge to cope with the policing role. Life experience is essential when assisting and/or providing advice to people in resolving everyday policing and community problems.The life experience requirement takes into consideration:
- Level of work experience
- Level of study completed
- Outside interests
- Community/volunteer work (for example, Salvation Army, Drug Arm, Lifeline, Meals on Wheels).
Successful applicants are those who are able to demonstrate a variety of life experiences.
Guidance Officer Information
Police Recruiting have developed an information pack for Guidance Officers to assist students interested in a Policing career.
Guidance Officers (
555 KB)
Integrity/Conduct
The QPS is committed to being an employer of choice through the selection of people who display the attributes of integrity, fairness, equity, professionalism and accountability.
Police officers are granted powers and responsibilities that exceed those afforded to other citizens. However, in order to properly pursue these statutory functions police officers must have the confidence of the wider community. The systematic integrity screening of police recruit applicants is an important mechanism for the maintenance and advancement of the organisational integrity of the QPS.
The QPS requires that persons applying to be appointed as a police recruit meet very high standards with regard to their past behaviour and conduct. In selecting people to join the QPS, applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process that includes self-disclosure of 'relevant information'. Each applicant must complete all questions relating to 'relevant information' as they appear on the application forms. The QPS will then undertake integrity checking of police recruit applicants.
Example of 'relevant information'
If you have been questioned, charged or cautioned as the result of an offence as an adult or juvenile, you are required to disclose this information on your application form. This includes instances where no conviction was recorded.
You must also include spent convictions under the Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986 by virtue of section 5AA 4 of the Police Service Administration Act 1990.
It is most important that you spend some time and deliberation answering all questions relating to 'relevant information'. All your answers must be complete and accurate.
Failing to disclose all 'relevant information' or providing false or misleading information may result in a determination that you are unsuitable for employment by the Service.
Should the Queensland Police Service have a concern about any of your relevant information, you will be notified and given 28 days to respond in writing, prior to a decision being made.
Decisions relating to your suitability in this instance will be made by the delegated officer, the Manager of the Human Resources Development Branch.
Download full information relating to Relevant Information (
33 KB).
Overseas Travel
Additionally, if you have travelled overseas and remained there for six months or longer you may be required to obtain a current criminal history clearance certificate from that country. The countries for which we require a clearance certificate are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand (fingerprints required), United Kingdom and United States.
To obtain clearance certificates go to http://www.immi.gov.au/ and access Form 47P ‘Character Requirements Penal Clearance Certificates’.
The direct link is http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/47p.pdf The addresses of the relevant police stations from the countries concerned are outlined on the form. As some countries are taking up to 12 months to return clearance certificates it is recommended that you make application to the relevant country as soon as possible. It is not necessary to wait until you have lodged your Recruit application before applying to obtain a clearance certificate.
Health
One of the toughest challenges for applicants and police recruits is the demands of the physical competency test of the selection process and the physical skills training program at the Queensland Police Service Academy.The QPS places significant emphasis on physical competency due to the high level of physical demands placed on police officers in operational duties.
On application, you must be medically and physically able to perform all operational requirements of a police officer. Any medical condition which could suddenly and unexpectedly render a person incapable of carrying out the duties of a police officer, or would prevent a person from performing all those duties automatically; make him or her unsuitable for appointment as a police recruit. You are required to complete a medical questionnaire when submitting your application.
Medical
As of 1 July 2008 applicants no longer have to obtain a Certificate of Fitness/Indemnity form from their local GP.
Prior to submitting your application to join the Queensland Police Service (QPS), you are now required to contact a Pre Employment Medical Service PEMS Directory (
299 KB) provider recognised by the Queensland Police Service, to undertake a complete medical examination.
You are to take the following two (2) documents (provided in the PROVE application pack), to the PEMS provider on the day of your medial examination.
1. Health Assessment - Medical Questionnaire (
52 Kb) (must be completed by you and provided to the PEMS provider).
2. Certificate of Fitness Indemnity form (
221 KB) (to be completed/signed by both the PEMS provider and yourself on the day of the examination).
After successful completion of the medical examination, you can submit a PROVE application to join the Queensland Police Service. Be sure to include a copy of the medical examination report. You must obtain the Certificate of Fitness/Indemnity form so that you can present this form to physical competency test officers prior to undertaking your physical competency test (PCT).
Queensland Police Service
Approved Pre-Employment Medical Services (PEMS)
| Health for Industry www.hfi.com.au | QLD Vocational Health Services www.qvhs.com.au | Recovre Pty Ltd www.recovre.com.au | |
| Full Medical Health Assessment including Certificate of Fitness |
$155.92 | $148.50 | $192.50 |
Prices quoted are correct at the time of writing. The Queensland Police Service accepts no responsibility for any anomalies in projected costs. Applicants must make their own enquiries to obtain correct and accurate information.
Please note that Health Questionnaires are only valid for 12 months from time of completion by PEMS provider until an applicant commences at the Academy.
There are no age or height restrictions to join the QPS. Usually by the time applicants meet the minimum application requirements, including education and life experience, they are in their twenties. The average age for recruits is approximately 27 years. Compulsory retirement remains at 60 years of age.
Applicants must demonstrate a visual acuity of 6/6 with both eyes together. If you wear glasses or contact lenses the assessment is made whilst you are wearing the corrective lenses.
If you have one weak eye that does not correct to 6/6 you may still be eligible provided you can pass a practical test of depth and speed perception.
Applicants who have had laser eye surgery (such as Lasik) must wait for twelve months before they can be accepted to rule out any risk of late complications.
The QPS standard in relation to colour vision does not call for perfect responses in relation to colour vision perception. However, the Service requires a good standard of colour vision perception of distinct colours, as opposed to perception of shades.
An applicant must meet the genuine and reasonable requirements of a police officer and perform duties such as:
- Pursuit in a motor vehicles
- Identifying people and things
- Giving credible and reliable evidence of identification
- Identifying colour-coded signs; and
- Identifying the target correctly when firearms are being used.
Colour vision will be tested at the time of your medical examination. However, if you already know that you are colour blind to any degree it may make sense to pursue the following steps before proceeding further with your application. If you are uncertain, most optometrists offer colour vision testing as part of the bulk-billed eye examination.
If an applicant or possible applicant has a colour vision medical issue they can have an Ishihara Plate Test completed by the PEMS provider or an Optometrist..
An applicant identified as a protan or deuteranope will not meet the QPS standards. In circumstances where the applicant is identified as deutranomalous then that applicant will undertake a colour assessment by the Pre-Employment Medical Service provider. If the applicant is able to then identify distinct colours, as opposed to shades they would then meet the QPS standard.
All costs incurred will be met by the applicant/potential applicant and not by the QPS.
There are two categories of medical condition that may prevent applicants from succeeding. The first category comprises conditions that may prevent the applicant from effectively performing the duties of a police constable. An example of this might be a person who has had an upper limb amputated, as they would be unable to effectively restrain offenders.
The second category comprises medical conditions that pose an avoidable risk to the ongoing health and/or safety of the respective applicant. An example in this category may be a person with a history of mental illness in the context of the stresses of general duties policing.
Asthma, deafness, diabetes, epilepsy and mental instability are the more common conditions that may prevent an applicant from carrying out the basic requirements of an operational police officer. For example, a person suffering from asthma would not be suitable to work in an environment or under conditions which significantly expose the person to a risk of serious asthma attack, more particularly so in critical or emergent situations or where first aid or other assistance might not be available. While the consequence would be severe in terms of the officer's health and safety, there could also be severe consequences for the health and safety of other officers and members of the general public.
Very few applicants are permanently rejected on medical grounds, although we do require extra medical information from roughly a quarter of all applicants. Many more applicants are excluded on integrity grounds because they fail to disclose medical information during their application.
There are very few "hard and fast" rules with almost all applicants being judged on their individual merits. There are two ways you can get advice. The first is to contact POLICE RECRUITING on (07) 3364 8000 or Recruiting@police.qld.gov.au to discuss the specifics of your own case. The second is to discuss the matter with your own doctor. If you choose the second option you should encourage your doctor to read the QPS briefing note for that purpose and also refer to the medical guidelines for commercial vehicle drivers.
You may be required to obtain specialist medical advice prior to any decision Pre Employment Medical Service provider. Any medical expenses incurred in establishing your fitness for police duty are your responsibility.
Certificates and Supporting Documentation
A copy of your birth certificate must be supplied with your application.You must successfully obtain a Senior First Aid Certificate prior to your appointment as a police recruit. However, it is not necessary to have this certificate at the time of lodging your application. If you are likely to be successful in the selection process, you will be advised when the certificates are necessary.
A Senior First Aid Certificate can be obtained from St John's Ambulance, the Australian Red Cross, Queensland Ambulance Service, Royal Life Saving Society, Emergcare or other registered training providers. This certificate is valid for three years and must be current during all recruit training. The 'resuscitation' component of this certificate is valid for one year and must be current during all recruit training.
Swimming Proficiency
Prior to, or during recruit training you will be required to demonstrate a swimming proficiency involving a supervised 100m clothed and untimed swim of any stroke.
Costs associated with obtaining certificates are at the applicants' expense. If a recruits' Senior First Aid Certificate expires during the recruit training period, re-qualification will be required also at the recruits' expense.
Please Note:
The Bronze Medallion and Keyboard Skills Certificate are no longer a requirement of the Recruit Selection Process.
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