Queensland Police
Join our Recruit Training Program and stand alongside more than 12,000 police officers employed to protect and serve the community in all parts of the state.
Program details
Applications are open throughout the year. Find out more about our recruitment dates and locations.
- Location: Statewide
- Length: 8-month Recruit Training Program
- Placements: This program recruits for roles across Queensland Police.
About this program
Ready to take your first step toward a challenging and rewarding career in policing? Join our Queensland Police Recruit Training Program to protect our community and create a better Queensland.
As a recruit you'll get to train at the Queensland Police Academy in Brisbane or Townsville. During the training, you'll be equipped with knowledge of the law and the practical skills to professionally and confidently handle a range of police duties—from fast-paced city operations to working in our rural and remote communities.
The standard program is approximately 36 weeks. For those with policing experience undertaking the Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) program, it is approximately 18 weeks.
After successfully completing your recruit training, you'll be inducted as a constable and become part of the First Year Constable Program during which you'll receive further training and development on the job.
Hear more about life as a Queensland Police Service (QPS) recruit
Life as a QPS recruit is very full-on it's you kind of live and breathe Academy, you go to bed thinking about what you learned that day, you wake up thinking about what you're going to learn that in the next day, it is yeah it's definitely very consuming but it's been amazing learning the ins and outs of policing.
The purpose of the course is to make sure that the people we've selected to join the organisation are job ready by the time they leave and are sworn in.
A typical day for a recruit here at the Academy: they would normally commence their morning with a morning parade and roll call, then depending on what is scheduled for that particular day they could be doing some of their online learning products and assessment items, they could be having some tutorial sessions with facilitators or they could be undertaking what we have called scenario-based training where they run through some practice scenarios in preparation for them being out on the road operationally.
It's a challenging course so the expectation upon them is to be committed to the learnings that are undertaken within the academy. Doing lots and lots of study was a really big life adjustment for me but yeah after a couple of months it definitely started to feel like my new normal. The training is critical, it's critical for the organisation to make sure that by the time someone has sworn in that they have the skillset to actually undertake the job but what it requires is not only an understanding of the laws and the legislative power that we have and are able to use in extreme circumstances but it's also an understanding of how they make decisions in a crisis environment at times and that requires a lot of not only the skills in terms of the learnings but it requires that the people that we select who have a value alignment with the organisation being strong in integrity, having a sense of community a respect and fairness and professionalism, that they apply those values in an operational environment at every time.
Upon their successful completion and graduation the program they then enter into their first year so whilst the academy they're allocated at different training centres around the state upon graduation they will transfer to those training stations. Within those stations are a number of field training officers who will then for a first year Constable that is a 12-month period their first 2 months is 100% supervision and then after that 2 months is 50% supervision through that period of time there's a number of workplace activities that they need to meet the requirements of and at the end of that 18 months having collectively successfully passed everything they'll then be confirmed and be a fully operational police officer that can work without supervision.
We certainly try and highlight to recruits that being a member of this organisation there is an expectation by the community of showing leadership and being looked upon to be a leader and we very much value our development of people as leaders in the organisation.
Who we are looking for
At the Queensland Police Service, we are looking for applicants who have:
- a strong demonstration of the QPS values (outlined in the QPS Strategic Plan)
- good communication skills (both verbal and non-verbal)
- analysis and problem-solving abilities
- a sense of responsibility
- the ability to defuse situations
- compassion
- time management
- a willingness to help.
Program eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are 17 years of age or older at the time of applying or no older than 59 years of age at commencement
- are currently completing or have completed year 12 (or equivalent) or have 3 or more years of full time (or part time equivalent) work by the time of commencement
- can demonstrate a reasonable degree of aerobic fitness and physical and mental strength
- are an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- are an Australian permanent resident
- have a visa with unrestricted working rights under Australian immigration law.
Additional information for international students
You are eligible to apply if you:
- can provide evidence of your visa type, status and entitlements to work prior to starting employment with us. Right to work must be maintained through employment. For more information on right to work and visa conditions visit the Department of Home Affairs.
- have obtained overseas qualification recognition if your received your degree outside of Australia.
Program remuneration and benefits
- annual training salary starting at $55,200
- generous leave entitlements, including 6 weeks recreation leave per year
- up to $20,000 paid on select higher education debts in criminology, social work, counselling or other relevant human services
- a 38-hour working week, that's 9 days off in every 28-day roster
- overtime paid for work beyond rostered hours
- access to leave for carers, bereavement or emergency reasons, Australian Defence Force Reserves, study and sporting commitments
- access to a wide variety of training opportunities
- additional travel allowances and financial incentives for officers working in remote areas
- the security of being a member of the QSuper superannuation scheme with 18% employer superannuation contributions.
How to apply
Applications are open throughout the year. Find out more about our recruitment dates and locations.
Our recruitment process
You will need to complete our eligibility test and provide relevant supporting documents.
Once you've submitted your application and we've confirmed you meet our eligibility criteria, you'll be invited to an online interview with 1 or 2 QPS members.
If you successfully progress after your interview, you will be invited to complete relevant integrity, medical, psychological, and fitness assessments.
If you are successful, we will invite you to provide region and district allocation preferences.
Get ready to begin your career with Queensland Police.
More information about this program
Find out more about Queensland Police recruitment.
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