Queensland Police Service Recruiting
Your pathway to becoming a Queensland police officer
To become a Queensland police officer, you must undertake a structured recruitment process designed to assess your suitability. If successful, you will then complete a recruit training program at a QPS Academy.
QPS offers a range of entry pathways for applicants from different backgrounds, including school leavers and career changers without policing experience, as well as applicants with policing experience from Australia or overseas.
These entry pathways help the QPS Recruiting team assess your application and determine the training program best suited to your circumstances. Learn more about the journey from police recruit training to the frontline.
On this page:
-
QPS entry pathways
Each entry pathway will guide you through the relevant eligibility requirements and application process steps. Note, these may vary depending on the pathway and your individual circumstances.
To get started, explore the entry pathway below which best matches your unique background and experience.
General Entry policing pathway
The General Entry police recruit applicant pathway is designed for individuals who are new to policing and do not have prior or recent policing experience.
Australian and New Zealand police experience
The QPS invites applications from current or recently serving police officers from other Australian or New Zealand (ANZ) jurisdictions.
International police experience
Foreign nationals with recent and relevant policing experience may be eligible to apply to the QPS.
Former QPS police experience
The QPS welcomes applications from previous serving QPS officers wishing to re-join the organisation.
Special Constable (State officer)
Queensland police officers who have recently or will soon retire or resign can apply to become Special Constables to support frontline duties during high-demand periods.
-
First Nations and Multicultural preparatory programs
QPS also offers preparatory programs for Multicultural and First Nations recruit applicants which run prior to the Recruit Training Program (RTP) to help applicants prepare for their RTP journey.
First Nations Entry Pathway
The QPS offers positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in its First Nations Recruit Preparation Pathway (FNRPP).
Multicultural Recruit Preparation Pathway
The Multicultural Recruit Preparation Pathway (MRPP) is available to recruit applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
-
Next steps
Once you have explored the entry pathway that best suits your circumstances and reviewed the links below to learn more about a policing career, complete the QPS Eligibility Test.
If you appear eligible, you will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) which QPS Recruiting will review.
Once you submit an EOI to commence the application process, you may then be required to complete several steps and assessments within short timeframes. Before you begin, make sure you are prepared and able to fully commit to the recruitment process.