Queensland Police Service Recruiting
To be eligible to become a police recruit/officer, applicants are assessed against ‘The Standard for Health Assessment for Employment as a General Duties Police Officer with the Queensland Police Service’ (The Standard). The Standard is used to determine if a person is “fit for policing” - having sufficient physical and mental fitness to meet the genuine occupational requirements and demands of a general duties police officer. Each case is considered on its individual circumstances. The QPS authorises Pre-Employment Medical Service Provider (PEMS) to conduct the assessment using qualified medical practitioners.
The QPS is responsible for the base costs associated with the following assessment:
- Recruit Medical Assessment conducted on QPS paperwork
- Audiometry
- Spirometry
- Epworth
- Oversight by Occupational Physician Registrar to QPS Recruiting Health Standard OR
- Oversight and sign-off by Occupational Physician Registrar.
The applicant is responsible for the costs associated with any additional examinations or reports.
The following information is an extract of the Health Standards and is not exhaustive and does not include all medical conditions. It is therefore to be used as a guide only.
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Vision
Component Standard Relevant Comments Monocular vision Visual acuity greater than or equal to 6/9 in the better eye, with correction if needed; must be a minimum of 6/36 uncorrected. May still be considered with a report from a specialist. Binocular acuity - distant Applicants must have a corrected binocular visual acuity of 6/6 with a corrected visual acuity of 6/9 in the better eye. May still be considered with a report from a specialist. Binocular acuity - near Corrected near vision must be N8 The visual correction must either be contact lenses or glasses. Colour vision Colour vision anomaly is screened for using the 24 plate Ishihara test with 4 or more errors constituting a failure. If abnormal, further colour vision testing is required using the Farnsworth D15 test. Peripheral vision Greater than 70 degrees either side of the meridian horizontally and greater than 20 degrees vertically above and below the horizontal. Stereopsis Minimum degree of binocular fusion and stereopsis must be 40 seconds of an arc on a screening test. Applicants can be assessed by an ophthalmologist for cause and possible correction. Diplopia (double vision) Does not meet the standard. Other eye conditions including acuity corrective surgery All candidates who have undergone LASIK and LASEK Eye Surgery, must wait 3 months post surgery before being cleared medically fit. A report from the treating doctor is required. Hearing
Component Standard Relevant Comments Audiometry Pure tone thresholds must be <= 35db in both ears at each of the following frequencies - 500Hz, 1KHz, 2KHz, 3KHz, 4KHz. This standard must be achieved without hearing aids. Failure to meet the above standard will require consideration of the supplementary criteria. Q. Hearing: I have some loss of hearing – will this be an issue?
A. You may be required to have an assessment by an audiologist to ascertain the extent of the hearing loss. Your pre-employment medical provider may conduct practical tests, if deemed necessary. Should you use a hearing aid and pass the tests, you will be required to wear the aid while on duty.
Endocrine Disorders
Component Standard Relevant Comments Insulin dependent and Non insulin dependent diabetes HbA1c in the range of 6.1 – 8.0 for a period of 12 months (tested on four occasions at three-month intervals). No hypoglycaemic events in the last 12 months. Applicants who have an insulin pump for the treatment of type 1 diabetes may be suitable provided the person can demonstrate a well-controlled hypoglycaemic history whilst using the insulin pump therapy. A report from the treating specialist is required. Neurological Conditions
Component Standard Relevant Comments Epilepsy A period of 2 years without seizures and medication free is required. The treating neurologist must complete a report. Migraines or persistent headaches Migraines and persistent headaches must be controlled and the applicant will be required to demonstrate no prolonged periods of incapacity. Persistent migraines or headaches during the past two years require further information in the form of a report from a treating doctor. Blood Pressure
Component Standard Relevant Comments Systolic blood pressure A systolic blood pressure which is greater than 140mmHg must be referred for assessment. Treated hypertension may meet the standard if undertaking treatment. Diastolic blood pressure A diastolic blood pressure that is greater than 90mmHg needs to be referred for assessment. Respiratory
Component Standard Relevant Comments Past or current history of asthma Asthma treated with oral corticosteroids does not meet the standard.
Asthma with a low dose inhaled preventative is likely to meet the standard if spirometry is normal.
Each case needs to be assessed on the history and examination. Infectious Diseases
Component Standard Relevant Comments SARS-CoV-2 Acute infection with SARS-CoV-2 does not meet the standard. Previous history and full recovery meet the standard. Hepatitis B Infection with blood-borne virus would not preclude entry unless associated symptoms that could interfere with operational duties. HEP B immunisation required.
Recruiting provides additional information to applicants.
HIV-AIDS Symptomatic HIV infection is unlikely to meet the standard.
Asymptomatic HIV infection may be suitable but will require further investigation and assessment by an infectious diseases specialist.
Musculo-Skeletal and BMI
Component Standard Relevant Comments Musculo-skeletal history Shoulder dislocation (single or recurrent) does not meet the standard. Surgical repair is required to meet the standard.
Knee instability does not meet the standard. Surgical repair is required to meet the standard.
An unrepaired ACL rupture does not meet the standard.
Any significant injury or surgery to the musculo-skeletal system including significant knee, back and shoulder injuries require an orthopaedic review or neurosurgical review unless there is a lengthy period of demonstrable fitness following injury or surgery.
Applicants with single or recurrent shoulder dislocation or knee instability and has received surgical repair, must have returned to full activity over at least a year; and the treating surgeon certifies there is no increased risk of re-injury
Applicants who have had shoulder or knee reconstruction within the last five years require a report from an Orthopaedic surgeon.
Applicants who have not had surgical repair, but can provide relevant information from an orthopaedic surgeon (and if practical from a physiotherapist re rehabilitation) are encouraged to provide the information as part of the PEMS process.
Shin splints/medial tibial stress syndrome A history of medial tibial stress syndrome must be resolved prior to clearing the medical assessment. BMI BMI is used as a screening test only and is not, in itself a criterion for exclusion. Any applicant with a BMI at end of range (low or high) should be carefully screened. Gastrointestinal, Urological & Pregnancy
Component Standard Relevant Comments Hernias Applicants must be free from hernias. If they have had surgical correction, it must be at least 3 months post surgery before clearing the applicant. If a hernia is suspected, a surgical consultation is required to confirm the diagnosis and to correct the condition. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Likely to meet the standard. Will require a report from treating doctor. Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Collitis Likely to meet the standard if recovered or on treatment with no restrictions. Will require a report from treating doctor. Urinary System Renal and Urological conditions would preclude suitability only if they were likely to significantly interfere with recruit training or general duties policing. Pregnancy Applicants who are pregnant are unsuitable until after confinement.