Career Starter Pathway

We don't expect you to work it all out alone. We've designed this pathway to give you support before and during the application process.

You will get:

• one-on-one guidance from our recruitment team
• support to understand each stage of recruitment
• information about fitness, health, background, and licence checks
• opportunity to learn about the Victoria Police Academy, including a tour
• clear advice about what to do next.
  

If you are currently in Year 12 doing VCE scored or VCE unscored, and successful in the police officer recruitment process, you can start police recruit training once you complete your schooling and meet the entry requirements. For applicants doing VCE scored, you may be eligible for an exemption from the exam, depending on your ATAR and English score.

We'll pay you while you train at the Victoria Police Academy, so you earn while you build the skills needed to become a police officer.

Training at the Victoria Police Academy runs for 25 weeks.

If you are still at school, completing Year 12 should remain your priority.

This pathway is designed to work with your education journey, not replace it.

We will work with you to help manage recruitment steps around your study commitments where possible.

You do not need to be ready to become a police officer just yet, and you can change your mind at any stage during the application process.

The pathway is here to help you understand the minimum age, licence, health, fitness, background, and training requirements before you take the next step.

Yes, if you are 17 during the application period and meet the pathway requirements.

If you are in Year 11, we will strongly encourage you to complete Year 12 and apply in 2027 instead.

Yes, if you are 18 and have a learner permit or a probationary licence and are still completing your schooling in Year 12, or no longer in school.

No. 19-year-olds are not eligible for the Career Starter Pathway pilot.

We encourage 19-year-olds to apply through the standard police officer recruitment process.

For the best chance of success if you are 19-years-old, follow these steps:

1. Check your eligibility and suitability.
2. Meet our entry requirements.
3. Understand our recruitment process.
4. Apply online to be a police officer.

Applications are open from 14 September to 25 October 2026.

Yes. Eligibility depends on your age and licence status during the application period.

Eligible applicants include:

• 17-year-olds or 18-year-olds with a learner permit, and,
• 18-year-olds with a probationary licence who are still completing their schooling (Year 12) or no longer in school.

No. This pathway will help you explore policing, ask questions, and decide whether it is the right career for you.

Yes. Our Victoria Police Recruitment team will guide you through each stage, explain what to expect, and help you prepare before you apply.

Yes. All successful police recruits are paid during training at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.

The training period is 25 weeks.

That is a common concern.

This pathway allows young people the time and support to:

• learn about policing before committing
• build readiness and skills for life as a police officer
• get one-on-one support throughout the pathway
• receive guidance throughout the recruitment process.

If successful, applicants complete recruit training before starting work as a police officer.

We will be running special information sessions for students/parents/guardians during the application period. Find a free information session.

The Victoria Police entrance exam is one stage of the recruitment process.

You may be exempt if you have passed:

• VCE, or,
• an equivalent Australian qualification in the past 5 years with:
  • an ATAR of 65 or above
  • a minimum score of 25 in English.

If you are completing scored VCE, depending on your ATAR, you may or may not be required to complete the exam.

No. You do not need to complete a Victoria Police work experience placement to take part in the pathway.

If you are interested in becoming a police officer, (and meet the pathway requirements), we'd love you to apply between 14 September and 25 October 2026.