Becoming a Transitional Officer
Looking for a new beat? The Western Australia Police Force is accepting applications from current Police Officers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as New Zealand and interstate Australia.
Compatible Jurisdictions
Current serving officers in the following regions are eligible to apply to become a Transitional Officer:
Interstate Australia
Ireland
New Zealand
United Kingdom - England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
British Transport Police and Military/Defence Force Police, as well as Special Constables and Volunteers are not considered to be compatible jurisdictions.
Eligibility Requirements for International Applicants
To transition to the WA Police Force, applicants must:
- Currently be serving as a Police Officer or have previously served as a police officer within the last 18 months.
- Have completed probation and a minimum of two years and eight months service.
- Hold a current, valid full Driver's License.
Applications for Transitioning to the WA Police Force
There are a few steps to get through to join the WA Police Force. We will consider your prior service and ranks but still have some mandatory checks and assessments. To learn more about the selection process for Transitional Officers, click here (Ireland/United Kingdom) or here (interstate/New Zealand).
During your application, you will be required to provide the following certified documents:
- Driver's License and history
- Passport photo
- Tattoo photos
If you are from interstate Australia, you may also be required to provide a First Aid Certificate.
The Police Recruitment team will assist you with any inquiries, in addition to provide information regarding your application and next steps. You will not need to travel to Western Australia at any point during the application process to complete next steps*.
*Dependent on location and determination made by the Police Recruiting Branch.
It typically takes 6-8 weeks for applications to be processed.
Relocating to Western Australia
Relocating to Australia is no small move, particularly when it's both the largest police jurisdiction and the most isolated city in the world!
When settling in Western Australia, it's important that you and any family who may be moving with you, are prepared.
Applying For a Visa
Successful applicants from Ireland and the United Kingdom will be nominated for an Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186). This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. Under this visa, it is expected that the visa holder works for the nominating employer for at least 2 years.
Family members can be included in the Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) visa, including partners, dependent children or stepchildren, and your partner's dependent children or stepchildren.
Processing times for visas will vary depending on your specific circumstances, however generally vary between two and six months. Additionally, costs can vary depending on your specific situation. Further information, including eligibility, process and costs can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website below.
Training at the WA Police Academy
All training for the Western Australia Police Force is completed at the WA Police Academy, located in Joondalup, WA, 30km north of Perth. The training period is paid and full time, with the Transitional Officer training course running for 13-weeks.
Salary as a Police Officer
Kick start your Policing journey with 28-weeks paid training and a competitive salary. After Graduation, Police Officers receive annual incremental pay increases as service and experience continues.
Regional adventures
Not only will your day-to-day tasks be different, so too will the locations you work in. Joining the WA Police Force, you’ll have the opportunity to explore our beautiful state and meet some great people along the way – all while being paid and advancing your career.
Providing Support
Successful applicants will be provided with support during the recruitment process to make your transition to Western Australia as smooth as possible.
Where will I be placed?
Police Officers are posted to a metropolitan or regional location. You will need to be prepared to serve anywhere within Western Australia. Many Police Officers rate country service as a career highlight. It's also a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in regional communities and develop your skills.
Recognition of Service
If you are from an compatible policing jurisdiction, service will be recognised up to a maximum of a fifth-year constable for pay and rank. If eligible, officers recognised as having the required service, can complete the requirements to progress to the rank of First-Class Constable and then Senior Constable upon commencement (online examinations). Thereafter, Police Officers at the rank of First-Class Constable and above are eligible to apply for promotion to Sergeant.
The recognition of service that may be approved is outlined in the table below:
Complete Years’ Service with Compatible Policing Jurisdiction | Recognised Service on Completion of Training at the WA Police Academy | Salary on Completion of Training at the WA Police Academy |
|---|---|---|
Less than one year of service | Nil | N/A |
One year but less than two years’ of service | If probation not completed, no recognition of prior service. Applicant to be assessed as a normal recruit applicant and undertake full academy Police Officer (Entry-Level) course. | N/A |
If probationary requirements completed, one year recognised service | Constable second year of service | |
Two years’ but less than three years’ of service | Two years’ recognised service | Constable third year of service |
Three years’ but less than four years’ of service | Three years’ recognised service | Constable fourth year of service |
Four years’ but less than five years’ of service | Four years’ recognised service | Constable fifth year of service |
Five years’ service | Five years’ recognised service | Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable base rate salary then applies |
Six years’ service | Six years’ recognised service | Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable base rate salary then applies |
Seven years’ service | Seven years’ recognised service | Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies |
Eight years’ service | Eight years’ recognised service | Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies |
Nine years’ service, or more | Nine years’ recognised service | Constable, fifth year of service and thereafter until completion of requirements to attain First-Class Constable. First-Class Constable increment salary then applies until requirements to attain the rank of Senior Constable are successfully completed |
Your Questions Answered
I am a Police Officer from a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand, am I eligible to apply?
No, only applicants from the identified jurisdictions (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand) are eligible to apply.
My total policing experience is under three years', am I still eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ policing experience upon visa nomination (end of the selection process). We encourage you to apply when you have reached two years and eight months service however you must complete the three years to be nominated for a visa.
My total policing experience exceeds ten years, what recognition of prior service will I receive?
We recognise up to Constable 5th year of service for pay and rank.
If eligible, officers recognised as having the required service, can complete the requirements to progress to the rank of First-Class Constable and then Senior Constable upon commencement (online examinations). Thereafter, Police Officers at the rank of First-Class Constable and above are eligible to apply for promotion to Sergeant.
I am over 55 years old, am I still able to apply?
No, applicants must be under 55 years old, upon visa nomination (end of the selection process). This is a condition of the Labour Agreement.
I resigned from my Police Officer position 12-months ago, am I able to apply?
Yes, applicants must either be a current or former sworn Police Officer. If you are no longer a serving Police Officer, your break in service must be no more than 18-months at the time of application.
I am currently on a career break, am I still able to apply?
Yes, your career break does not preclude you from applying, however your break in service must be no more than 18-months at the time of application.
I have received an acknowledgement that you've received my application, what happens now?
Once we receive all your requested documents, we will be in touch with you to confirm the next steps in the process.
Please note, if you have been unable to provide your performance and service records from your current employer, we will request the information on your behalf, this may take several weeks to receive. You will receive further updates from us as you progress through the process.
What support will be provided?
There will be team members available to provide support during the recruitment process and beyond. Successful applicants will be provided with support to make your transition to Western Australia as smooth as possible.
When does training commence and what does the 13-week training program include?
It is expected successful applicants are available to commence as soon as possible after visa approval. Specific commencement dates will be discussed with successful applicants.
During your transition course, you will be provided orientation and training in all aspects of policing in WA including:
- Officer Safety & Tactics Training
- Driver Training
- IT Applications
- Prosecution and court file preparation
- Applied procedures including station procedures, custody, duty of care, dealing with drugs, firearms, bail, coronial enquiries, family violence, etc
- Physical Training and Empty Hand Training
- Forensics and fingerprinting
- Ethics, Diversity, Aboriginal and Cultural Awareness Training
- Legal procedures including giving evidence, powers of search & arrest, assaults, drugs, weapons, sex offences, stealing, burglary, damage, etc
- Investigations including suspect/witness interviewing, completing crime files and completing witness statements
- Effective communications
- First-Aid
Where will I be deployed once I complete my training?
Post training, International Transition officers will be deployed to frontline stations across the metropolitan area or larger regional centres.
The WA Police Force operates a tenure policy to support organisational requirements and availability. It also provides opportunities for Police Officers to experience working at different locations or positions and engage in professional development.
Usually tenure is between two and four years.
Can I undertake detective training?
Yes, however, some sensitive investigative and intelligence roles require a national security clearance, which can only be obtained by individuals holding Australian citizenship. Successful applicants may be restricted from performing these more sensitive roles, until citizenship is obtained.