How to Master NSW Police Officer Recruitment in 2025

How To Become A Cop in NSW

If you’re wondering how to become a police officer in NSW, this guide has everything you need. I’ll give you the full details of what is involved in NSW Police Officer Recruitment, walking you through the entire application process. You’ll also find tips to help you apply the right way and maximise your chances of being selected in this highly competitive recruitment process.

New Benefits for NSW Police Officers

There’s never been a better time to start a career in policing in NSW.

In recent years, the NSW Police Force has introduced new benefits and incentives to make it easier and more accessible for candidates to train as police officers. One of the biggest changes is that recruits now receive financial support during their training at the NSW Police Academy—something that wasn’t offered in the past.

In NSW Police Officer Recruitment the Student Police Officers are now employed on a temporary, fixed-term basis for 16 weeks and earn a salary of $1,360 per week (gross), plus superannuation and allowances, while completing their initial training.

Some of the key NSW Police Officer Recruitment incentives include:

• A salary of $1,360 per week during your time at the Police Academy.
• A significant reduction in the cost of the University Certificate in Workforce Essentials (UCWE) course, from approximately $1,800 down to $700. Recruits will only need to enrol in this course after successfully passing an initial suitability assessment.
• The introduction of field placements as part of Session One learning, giving recruits hands-on experience in real operational environments and a clearer understanding of what a career in policing involves.

Police Salary In NSW Police Force

Student Police Officers will remain as students (not employees) during Session 1 of the Constable Education Program (CEP). This first session is delivered via distance education, allowing students the flexibility to balance their studies with work and family commitments.

From March 2024, Student Police Officers will be employed on a temporary, fixed-term contract during Session 2 of the CEP. This session runs for 16 weeks at the NSW Police Academy. During this time, Student Police Officers will receive a salary of $1,360 per week (gross), plus superannuation and allowances.

Key Benefits of Joining the NSW Police Force:

• Australia’s highest-paid police recruits.
• Flexible learning in Session 1 (16 weeks), completed online so you can continue working while you study.
• Only 16 weeks at the Police Academy (Session 2), significantly shorter than other jurisdictions.
• Australia’s highest-paid police officers during the first five years of service.
• Free accommodation and meals provided at the NSW Police Academy during Session 2.
• The only policing jurisdiction in Australia where applicants graduate with a formal university qualification.

Once you successfully complete your training, you’ll start as a probationary police constable with a base salary of approximately $80,733 per year (plus allowances and shift penalties). You’ll also have access to a range of other benefits, including paid study leave, career progression opportunities, and the chance to pursue one of over 100 specialist career paths within the NSW Police Force.

NSW Police Officers are entitled to various types of leave. Some examples are:

• annual leave (up to 6 weeks per year)
• Family and Community Service (FACS) leave
• sick leave (15 days per year)
• leave without pay (where approved by the commander)
• extended, or long service leave
• time off in lieu of overtime.

Where To Apply For NSW Police Force Recruitment

The first step in the NSW Police Officer Recruitment process is submitting an application as part of a detailed vetting and assessment process. This helps the NSWPF Recruitment Branch determine your professional suitability to become a NSW Police Officer.

This application is known as the Professional Suitability Application (PSA). It is an online form, accessed through the NSW Government’s iworkfor.nsw.gov.au website.

You can apply for the Police Professional Suitability Application at any time—applications are open year-round with no closing date.

It’s essential that you read each section of the application carefully and provide honest, accurate responses. Failing to disclose relevant information or providing misleading details may result in your application being declined.

Do You Need a Cover Letter for a Police Officer Role?

While it’s not mandatory, I strongly recommend including a one-page cover letter as part of your application to join the NSW Police Force.

Your cover letter should briefly highlight any relevant work experience and explain why you’re motivated to become a police officer. If you don’t have prior work experience, focus on your personal qualities, skills, and reasons for wanting to pursue a career in policing.

For school leavers applying straight out of school, a well-written cover letter is a great way to show maturity, commitment, and genuine interest in the role.

Example NSW Police Force Cover Letter

Below is an example NSWPF cover letter written for Kevin, a recent high school graduate with hospitality experience gained from working in a busy pub. Kevin has always aspired to become a police officer and has completed two weeks of work experience at his local police station to gain insight into the role.

Gain Government Experience to Strengthen Your Police Application

If you’re looking for ways to improve your chances of being accepted into the NSW Police Force, gaining experience in a government role can be a valuable advantage.

Policing is a highly competitive career path, and showing that you have already worked within a government environment can help demonstrate your professionalism, reliability, and ability to work within structured policies and procedures.

If you’d like support finding and applying for entry-level government jobs, visit this page for more information and helpful resources.

Next Steps When Applying to Join the NSW Police Force

Once you’ve submitted your Professional Suitability Application, you will be assigned a dedicated recruitment case manager. Your case manager will be your main point of contact throughout the entire application process.

They will conduct an initial review of your eligibility and carry out a range of background checks, reference checks, and suitability assessments.

During this stage of the NSW Police Officer Recruitment, you will also be required to:

• Enrol in the University Certificate in Workforce Essentials (UCWE)
• Complete a fitness assessment
• Undertake psychometric testing
• Attend a medical assessment

Additionally, you will be asked to attend a local NSW Police station to have your fingerprints taken. It is strongly recommended that you contact the police station in advance to confirm a suitable time.

NSW Police Force University Certificate – UCWE

The University Certificate in Workforce Essentials (UCWE) is a mandatory academic requirement for all applicants to the NSW Police Force. It is designed to prepare you for the challenges of police training and equip you with essential workforce skills.

Once your initial background and eligibility checks are complete, you will receive an email notification from the Recruitment Branch inviting you to enrol in the UCWE. You must submit your enrolment application within 48 hours of receiving this notification. Failure to enrol in time will result in your application being withdrawn from the recruitment process.

Key details of the UCWE:

• Delivered online over 4 weeks by Charles Sturt University
• Cost: $700 (FEE-HELP is available for eligible students)
• Developed in partnership with the NSW Police Force
• Provides foundational skills for entry into the Constable Education Program (CEP) and the Associate Degree in Policing Practice (ADPP)
• Successful completion of the UCWE satisfies the academic prerequisite for the ADPP

You will only be invited to enrol in the UCWE once you have passed the initial stages of the application process. Applicants who do not enrol in, or fail to complete, the UCWE will not be eligible to continue in the police recruitment process.

NSW Police Officer Recruitment Application Requirements

To apply for the NSW Police Force, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be an Australian citizen (by birth, naturalisation, or citizenship) or hold Australian permanent residency

You will be required to provide certified copies of the following documents as part of your application:

• Declaration and consent form
• Birth certificate
• Change of name certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of residence – documents showing your current address and one other address from the past five years (must display your name, address, and date)
• Citizenship documents (if applicable)
• Interstate driving history report – if you currently or previously held a driver’s licence outside NSW
• Overseas penal clearance certificate – if you have lived overseas for more than one year after the age of 16

All documents must be certified as true copies by a Justice of the Peace before being scanned and uploaded with your online application.

Initial Fitness Requirement – Police Swim Test

As part of the recruitment process, you will be required to complete an Aquatic Rescue Sequence. This assessment is designed to test your ability to safely enter the water and perform a basic rescue. It is a practical test that must be supervised and assessed by a fully licensed or accredited swimming instructor, teacher, or coach.

You can book your assessment at your local council pool or swim centre. Upon successful completion, you will receive an official certificate, valid for five years from the date of issue.

Important Information:

• All costs associated with this assessment are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Full instructions for the Aquatic Rescue Sequence will be provided at the time of assessment.
• If you are not a confident swimmer or are unsure whether you can meet the requirements, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from a qualified swimming instructor and undertake swimming lessons before submitting your application.

What to Expect During the NSW Police Officer Recruitment Process

As part of the application process to become a NSW Police Officer, you will need to successfully complete a series of assessments to determine your suitability for the role. These include:

Fitness Tests

You will be required to undertake the NSW Police Force Physical Capacity Tests, which include:

• Hand grip strength test
• Prone bridge (plank hold)
• Vertical jump
• Push-up test
• Illinois agility test
• Multi-stage fitness test (beep test)

Detailed information and minimum fitness standards are available on the NSW Police recruitment website.

Psychometric Testing

All NSW Police Officer applicants must complete a psychometric assessment to assess their psychological suitability for policing. Depending on the results, you may be invited to attend an interview with a NSW Police psychologist to discuss your assessment.

No specific preparation is required before sitting the assessment, and full instructions will be provided on the day of testing.

Medical Assessment

You will also need to undergo a medical assessment to ensure you are medically fit to perform the duties of a NSW Police Officer. This assessment will be conducted by the NSW Police Force’s external provider, Unified Healthcare Group (UHG). You will only be able to complete this assessment after being instructed to do so by the Police Recruitment Branch.

Costs of Applying to Become a NSW Police Officer

All costs associated with the NSW Police Officer Recruitment process are the responsibility of the applicant. Below is a guide to the approximate costs you may need to cover:

It’s important to factor these costs into your planning when applying to join the NSW Police Force.

What Happens After You Pass the Recruitment Process

Once you have successfully completed all stages of the NSW Police recruitment process—including fitness testing, psychometric assessment, medical assessment, background checks, and the UCWE—you may receive an offer to join the Constable Education Program (CEP) and begin your training at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn.

Your training will include a combination of academic study, practical skills training, and field placements to prepare you for life as a police officer. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a Probationary Constable and begin your policing career, serving the community and continuing to develop your skills on the job.

Final Tips for a Successful Application

Applying to become a police officer in NSW is a detailed and competitive process—but being well-prepared can make all the difference. Here are a few final tips to help you succeed:

• Be honest and thorough in your application. Any false or incomplete information may result in your application being withdrawn.
• Start preparing early for the fitness tests. Don’t leave it until the last minute—regular training will give you the best chance of meeting the required standards.
• Gather all required documents ahead of time to avoid unnecessary delays, including preparing a cover letter.
• Consider gaining relevant experience—such as customer service, community work, or entry-level government jobs—to strengthen your application.
• Ask for advice from current or former police officers, or from recruitment support services if you need help navigating the process.

Joining the NSW Police Force is a rewarding and respected career. With preparation, persistence, and the right attitude, you can give yourself the best possible chance of success.