We recognise you’ve already completed a rigorous application process to become a Police Officer. For transitional officers joining from overseas, we carry out a few checks to ensure you’re the right fit for our team.
I am currently a Police Officer or have previous policing service (as a Police Officer) within the last 18-months, have completed probation and a minimum of two years and eight months service.
I am from a compatible policing jurisdiction in the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand.
I hold a current valid full Driver's Licence.
Great News!
You appear to meet the basic mandatory requirements for making the move to the WA Police Force. Please note that any body art, such as tattoos, or body modifications will need to be assessed upon applying. You will also need to complete an Integrity Declaration to ensure you meet the standards of the WA Police Force.
Once you've checked the eligibility requirements, you can begin your application. While going through the application, you will be asked to provide the following information where relevant:
Personal Details
Education and Qualifications
Employment History
Police service or military history
Providing Documents
You will need to upload the following supporting documents:
Birth Certificate
Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Change of Name (if applicable)
Valid Driver’s Licence
First Aid Certificate
Passport Photo
Certifying Documents
All the documents you submit will need to be certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopied version of your original document that has been stamped, dated, and signed as a ‘true copy’ by an authorised person (e.g. Justice of the Peace, Public Servant, Pharmacist, Nurse, etc.).
Once you begin your application, we'll guide you through the process step-by-step. Our friendly Recruiting team are on hand to answer your questions or have a confidential chat.
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.
Tattoo review
If you progress from the initial Integrity Checks, a review of any tattoos that may be visible when wearing a short sleeve shirt including those located on the neck, face or hands will be undertaken.
Applicants are required to provide colour photographs of their tattoos whilst wearing a collared short sleeve shirt when submitting their application.
Tattoo standards are contained within the WA Police Force Commissioner’s Uniform and Appearance Manual and consideration of tattoos is given in regard to whether they are:
in a prohibited location
prohibited form
detract from a professional appearance.
If your tattoos do not meet the required standard, Police Recruiting are unable to provide any advice in relation to proposed modification or removal and how this may impact future selection. For further information on tattoo standards, please visit our FAQs or contact us.
Psychological evaluation
The psychological tests are assessments and evaluations of you - everything from your personality, psychological state and background risks. It is very important that you respond to the psychological tests honestly. The tests are designed to identify applicants who impression manage and this will result in an invalid assessment result.
Physical performance evaluation (PPE)
To join the WA Police Force, you are required to have a reasonable level of fitness. During this evaluation, you will be required to perform the following:
If you are successful in Stage 1 you will be invited for an online panel interview which will assess your suitability for the role of a police officer. Whilst you will not be able to study anything specific for your interview, you can take some positive steps to help you perform your best on the day:
Ensure that you have prepared yourself by researching the requirements and responsibilities of a police officer.
Consider and identify specific examples from your own life and work experiences that might best demonstrate your suitability in meeting the requirements and responsibilities of frontline policing.
Read and consider all available information on the Let's Join Forces website, including the essential criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment and selection process, together with an understanding of the four core values of the WA Police Force:
Selection Criteria
Personal Drive and Integrity
Supports Strategic Direction
Achieves Results
Builds Productive Working Relationships
Communicates with Influence
Core Values
Duty
Teamwork
Integrity
Care
On the day of your interview:
Be punctual and ensure you have stable internet connection.
Dress appropriately in smart business attire, and consider your grooming.
Whilst interviews can be daunting you should try your best to be confident, composed and professional. Throughout the interview be aware of your communication, eye contact and body language.
Listen to the questions carefully and give thought to your answers. Every response you give is a chance to allow the panel to consider your suitability. If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification.
Be clear and concise in your communication. Answer questions fully but don't elaborate unnecessarily. Try to keep to the point.
Be open and honest in your answers. Be yourself. The panel is not expecting perfection.
Review Panel
All applicants applying for a Police Officer position are required to meet the assessment criteria for the role. Recruitment assessments are comprehensive and take into consideration prior work performance, integrity factors including traffic and criminal history, psychological suitability, physical ability and assessment against essential criteria relevant to the job role.
Applicants that proceed through the selection process to the review panel are assessed holistically using all information collected during the recruitment process. This enables the review panel to determine progression to Stage 3.
Applicants that are not progressed to Stage 3 assessments will be given an individual reapplication date (if applicable). If you are given a reapplication date, we encourage you to reapply.
Final Health & Medical Assessment
Following the completion of Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments, you will be required to undertake a final health and medical assessment. This examination is designed to ensure your fitness and health are of a high standard and that there is no reason why you would be unable to carry out all the duties required as a police officer.
Applicants with prior medical history may be required to provide additional contemporary information to support their final health and medical assessment.
Vision Requirements
You are required to have a minimum unaided vision of at least 6/9 in your better eye and 6/18 in your other eye. If your vision is below this standard, you must be able to wear soft contact lenses and achieve corrected vision of at least 6/6 binocularly, or 6/9 in each eye separately. You must also have a minimum horizontal peripheral vision of 70 degrees on each side.
A report from a qualified person will be required detailing your vision history, current treatment and future prognosis. This must include your history of duration of wear and tolerance of soft contact lenses over a 10 hour period and expected future tolerance to wearing soft contact lenses on an ongoing basis. The WA Police Force will send you a form that you need for this report.
Other Checks
A number of other checks will be conducted during Stage 3 including:
full Background and Integrity Check
identifying particulars - fingerprints and DNA (If you are successful, this will be done in person once you have arrived in Western Australia)
bankruptcy check.
Once applicants have completed these requirements consideration is given to placement in the selection pool. Placement in the selection pool does not guarantee an offer of employment. Those placed in the selection pool will be required to meet certain pre-qualification requirements (e.g. confirmation of physical ability) prior to selection to a recruit school. Please note that applicants from the selection pool are not placed in a recruit school on a first in first out basis. Police recruiting ensures that schools have a mix of recruits across gender, age and background.
Applicants who are not progressed will be given an individual re-application date (if applicable).
Visa Cost Reimbursement
International Transitional Officer applicants who commence employment with the Western Australia Police Force will be reimbursed for the cost of their primary applicant visa, (where nominated for the visa by the WA Police Force). Currently valued at $4,910*. This does not include visas for accompanying partners or family members. Upon commencement, an additional $300 is provided, as a partial reimbursement of application costs.
The WA Police Force also offers salary packaging for relocations costs**. This can provide significant income tax savings. Invoices and receipts must be retained for relocation costs. If successful through the application process, Police Recruiting will provide you with further information on the process.
* Cost subject to change.
** Subject to Terms and Conditions.
Visa Costs Reimbursement
International Transitional Officer applicants who commence employment with the Western Australia Police Force will be reimbursed for the cost of their primary applicant visa (where nominated for the visa by the WA Police Force), currently valued at $4,910*. This does not include visas for accompanying partners or family members.
Upon commencement, an additional $300 is provided, as a partial reimbursement of application costs.
* Cost subject to change.
Your questions answered
What are compatible national and international policing jurisdictions?
If you are a current Police Officer from New Zealand, Policing jurisdictions of the United Kingdom (excluding British Transport Police and Military/Defence Force Police) and the Republic of Ireland we will be able to recognise your years of service.
Successful applicants will be sponsored for an Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) Visa. Further information is available on the Home Affairs website.
Note: Eligibility requirements include an age limit of 55 at time of visa application.
Do you provide Recognised Service for Transitional Officers?
If you are from a compatible policing jurisdiction, recognition of service may provide recognition up to a maximum of Constable fifth year.
Those recognised as having the required service to progress to First-Class Constable or Senior Constable base rate, must complete the requirements to progress to these ranks.
The recognition of service that may be approved is outlined in the table below:
Complete Years’ Service with Compatible Policing Jurisdiction
Recognised Service on Commencement
Salary on Commencement
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.
Can I apply if I am a Police Officer overseas?
Yes. If you are from Policing jurisdictions of the United Kingdom (excluding British Transport Police and Military/Defence Force Police) and the Republic of Ireland. Learn more.
