How to Apply

We will help you to understand the requirements of the position within the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and provide you with essential organisational and instructional information. These resources are designed to help you at each stage of the recruitment and selection process.

Go to SmartJobs

Staff vacancies including temporary and permanent opportunities in the QPS are advertised on the Queensland Government ‘SmartJobs and careers’ site. 


Please visit the SmartJobs website and login your account to apply for a role. 

Go to SmartJobs

Search a Job

Browse all vacancies at QPS by selecting ‘Queensland Police Service’ in the ‘Department or organisation’ search option. Alternatively, you can search and filter current job vacancies posted on SmartJobs based on: 

• location
• occupational group
• salary

SmartJobs can alert you to new jobs based on your job preference. You can set up, restart or change Job Alerts. If a new job is added to SmartJobs with your alert criteria, you will be sent an email alert. Job Alerts expire after 90 days.

Prepare your Application


Provide a comprehensive current resume outlining your educational qualifications, work history and experiences relevant to this role. The resume should include contact details of two referees, including a referee who has thorough knowledge of your conduct and performance in the last 2 years. Permission will be sought from shortlisted applicants to contact referees so that current employment is not jeopardised.

Shortlisting for assessment will be determined on how well you address the job requirements outlined in your written statement and your resume/CV.

The QPS has diverse roles, each with distinct eligibility criteria. To understand the specific requirements for applying a particular role, please refer to the role description and the corresponding applicant guide.

Your statement should include examples of previous performance and demonstrate leadership behaviours at the level of the Leadership stream. Be prepared to discuss/reflect on these behaviours if you are invited to attend an assessment/interview.

You can find more information on the Leadership stream here: Leadership Competencies for Queensland.

Submit your Application


You can ‘save and submit later,’ allowing you to organise your attachments for submission at a later time, prior to the closing date. Complete applications must be received no later than midnight on the specified vacancy closing date. You can track your application and maintain your personal details including contact details through your SmartJobs account.

Submission Checklist

The following checklist can be used before submitting your application:

❎ Have you read the applicant guide for the vacancy?

❎ Have you observed any specified page limit?

❎ Have you attached your CV/ Resume?

❎ Have you attached your written statement?

❎ Have you attached any other requested or relevant documentation?

❎ Have you saved a copy of the role description for future reference? 

Late applications

Late applications cannot be submitted via the Smart Jobs and Careers website. If it is necessary to submit a late application, you will need to contact the person on the role description about the possibility of submitting a late application.

Panel chairs can determine whether late applications should be considered as part of the selection process (where the applicant provides details of circumstances).

Withdrawing an application

Applicants have the option to withdraw their online application at any time. Applicants wishing to resubmit an application will need to withdraw and delete their application in their Smart Jobs account prior to the closing date.

It is not possible to submit a new application if the Job Ad has closed. Refer to the Late Applications section if submitting an application after the closing date.

SmartJobs help

Check out SmartJobs help site for detailed instructions on registering, setting up alerts and other useful information.

Next > Application Process

To find out more about how we process your application, click here.

Application process