Aspiring police officers in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) can earn A$1,360 weekly while undergoing academy training, alongside superannuation and other allowances. The arrangement allows recruits to receive an income before completing their police training and becoming probationary constables.
The payment is part of a recruitment programme introduced by the NSW government to attract more people into policing and reduce financial barriers to joining the force.
However, the salary does not cover the entire training period. Here is how the programme works, how much recruits receive and what happens after graduation.
1. How much do student police officers earn?
According to the NSW Police Force recruitment website, student police officers receive A$1,360 per week during the second session of their training.
The payment comes with superannuation and additional allowances.
The arrangement took effect in March 2024. Recruits are employed on temporary fixed-term contracts during this stage of their training.
Over the 16-week academy period, the weekly salary amounts to A$21,760 before additional benefits.
2. How long does the police training last?
The training programme is divided into two sessions, each lasting 16 weeks.
The first session involves distance education, allowing applicants to study online while maintaining their existing work and family commitments.
However, students do not receive a salary during this first stage.
The second session takes place at the Goulburn Police Academy, where recruits undergo 16 weeks of training and receive the A$1,360 weekly salary.
This means the paid training period lasts four months, rather than the full 32 weeks.
3. What happens after graduation?
After completing their studies, successful recruits become probationary constables and begin working as police officers.
The NSW Police recruitment website lists the starting annual salary for a probationary constable at approximately A$88,169, excluding applicable allowances.
Officers can also receive additional benefits, including shift penalties, study leave and opportunities for further professional training.
4. Do student police officers receive accommodation?
Yes. The NSW Police Force provides free accommodation and meals at its Goulburn Police Academy during the residential training session.
This reduces the financial burden on recruits while they complete the academy programme.
The force also advertises annual leave of up to six weeks for employed officers, alongside other employment benefits.
5. Why did Australia introduce the payment?
The NSW government announced the paid training arrangement in October 2023 as part of efforts to address police recruitment and retention challenges.
At the time, the state had more than 1,500 police vacancies.
The government said paying recruits during academy training would make policing more accessible to people who could not afford to spend four months studying without an income.
The initiative was also intended to attract mature-age applicants, women with family responsibilities and people from lower-income households.
The arrangement subsequently took effect in March 2024.
Can foreigners apply to become police officers in Australia?
The payment arrangement does not automatically make the programme available to foreigners.
Applicants must satisfy the NSW Police Force’s recruitment and eligibility requirements. The programme is designed for people seeking to join the state’s police force, and applicants should check the official recruitment rules before applying.
For more information, visit the NSW Police Force recruitment website.