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Police Officer

ANZSCO 441312

A Police Officer enforces laws, investigates crimes, and ensures public safety while specialising in areas like traffic or criminal investigations.

  • This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).

How do I become a police officer

Get qualified to work as a police officer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Related career opportunities

Browse occupations related to Police Officer.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Police Officer generally earns $2,085 per week ($108,420 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

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The number of people working as a Police Officer has increased in recent years. There are currently 48,200 people employed in this job role compared to 46,700 five years ago. Police Officers may be employed across all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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If you’re interested in applying to become a Police Officer, consider enrolling in a Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies. This course will develop your skills in interviewing, conflict resolution, investigations and court document preparation. You could also consider a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Justice or a Certificate IV in Crime and Justice Studies.

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Related fields of study

Government and Public Sector

Obtain valuable skills and knowledge for maintaining the inner workings of the public service, including leadership, compliance, project management and government processes.

All Government and Public Sector

Police and Law Enforcement

Learn how you can make a difference in law enforcement, specialising in areas such as criminal law, social justice, and conflict resolution.

Career opportunities

Further reading

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Police Officer careers

A Police Officer enforces laws, investigates crimes and maintains public safety. You might gather evidence of alleged criminal activity and appear in court during prosecution proceedings. Police Officers may attend to other duties such as attending traffic accident scenes or patrolling areas of concern. You might specialise in a particular type of policing such as traffic branch, dog squad or criminal investigations.

Police Officers should have good personal skills and be good at communicating with members of the public. You’ll need to be a good problem solver and have strong attention to detail. It’s important that you can work as part of a team and follow correct procedures when carrying out your duties.