Applicant medical and psychological assessment

To safely and effectively perform the role of a police officer or protective services officer (PSO) with Victoria Police, applicants must meet the inherent requirements of these operational roles.

Your role

As the nominated General Practitioner (GP), or treating health professional, you are requested to conduct an examination of the applicant.

As part of this assessment process, applicants need:

their hearing assessed and certified by an audiologist or audiometrist
their vision assessed and certified by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
a holistic assessment and certification by a nominated medical practitioner (and any other relevant practitioners as recommended by their nominated medical practitioner).

Use the below information and documentation to determine whether the applicant meets the inherent requirements for the role of an operational general police officer or PSO.

Examination scope

Assess the applicant's current health status including medical and psychological history over the past five years.
Evaluate the applicant in accordance with the Victoria Police Medical Guidelines.
Evaluate the applicant in accordance with the Victoria Police inherent requirements of an operational general police officer and PSO.
Consider relevant standards such as the Austroads Commercial Driver Standards.
Review the applicant's psychometric testing summary report.
If applicable, review all records of military service or Department of Veterans' Affairs or equivalent (to be provided by the applicant).

If you are unable to complete the assessment based on the available information from the applicant, refer them to a suitable specialist for further evaluation.

Inherent requirements

The Victoria Police inherent requirements should be used to evaluate operational general police officer and PSO applicants.

The inherent requirements of an operational general police officer and protective services officer.
Work schedule
- Performing shifts of varying duration, day and night, any day of the year.
- Adapting to regular shift changeover and protracted investigations, not conducive to regular (scheduled) breaks for meals, rest, sleep, to use a toilet or medication/ treatment.
Physical work environment
- Coping with a range of conditions which can be for extended durations, including heat, cold, sunlight, humidity, rain, wind, heights, and on water.
- Coping with unexpected or unplanned exposure to environments which may contain substances which could cause respiratory, eye or other irritation.
- Sitting for lengthy periods in offices, courts, and other environments.
Mental cognitive performance
- Prioritising tasks effectively and making decisions under pressure.
- Use of sound abstract reasoning and executive brain function.
- Remaining highly vigilant and focused for sustained periods.
- Remaining conscious and alert for sustained periods without interruption (including unexpected interruption).
- Observing and remembering incidents and events when on patrol.
- Communication in noisy environments.
- Remembering and conveying instructions and information clearly and concisely (including sequences of instructions).
- Strategically planning in the field taking into consideration a number of possible scenario outcomes.
- Interpreting spatial relationships, including reading and interpreting maps and navigating according to directions.
- Examining and collecting evidence at the scenes of accidents or crime, including the scenes of violent crime or significant physical trauma.
- Interviewing people and taking statements.
- Engaging with the community.
Physical performance
- Identifying people, vehicles, or objects, discerning evidence and investigating the scenes of. crime, having regard to characteristics such as distance, size, shape, texture, colour (ability to discriminate when using basic colour words: Black, Purple, Pink, Brown, Grey, Red, Cream, Yellow, White, Green, Blue, Orange.
- Observing with a broad field of vision.
- Making observations at various levels of illumination (from bright to sunlight to dim light).
- Pursuing individuals, involving running.
- Performing strenuous tasks (such as running) suddenly and unexpectedly leaving no time to prepare.
- Accurately identifying the sources of sounds.
- Physical exertion including running, climbing, jumping, crawling, hurdling, reaching and carrying people and objects (which might be heavy).
- Sustained and frequent use of police vehicles.
- Walking long distances while performing foot patrol.
- Standing for lengthy periods on traffic or other duties.
- Basic swimming skills (not required for Protective Services Officers).
Weapons/defensive tactics
- Carrying and using a range of tactical equipment, including firearms.
- Physically wrestling with, or restraining, individuals.
- Wearing and using personal protective equipment including: equipment belts and vests (up to 11kg in weight), helmets, visors, gloves, safety boots, respiratory protection.
- Forcing entry into a building using shoulder, kick, baton, or hammer.
Other
- Assisting and managing victims of crime or disasters.
- Using police office equipment such as telephones, computers, radios, breath alcohol testing devices.
- Completing computer-based and handwritten forms or reports.
- Stabilising and preserving the scene of accidents, emergencies, disasters or crime scenes.
- Performing crowd control at community events or demonstrations.
- Employing first aid techniques.
- Participating in continuing education in classroom situations, practical situations (including defensive techniques) and electronic learning.
- Speaking to large groups or in public.
- Participating in team activities.
- Adhering to Victoria Police Uniform and Appearance Standard.

Medical documentation

Please refer to the following medical documents to assess the applicant’s:

current health status
past five years of medical history (including psychological history)
inherent requirements.

Medical guidelines

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - AMI Medical Standard
PDF 254.98 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Angina Pectoris Medical Standard
PDF 248.72 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Atrial Fibrillation Medical Standard
PDF 260.78 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - AV Block Medical Standard
PDF 269.05 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Cardiac Medication Considerations
PDF 276.26 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Cardiology Medical Standard
PDF 347.07 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Hypertension Medical Standard
PDF 262.2 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - LBBB Medical Standard
PDF 252.32 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Pacemaker Medical Standard
PDF 257.72 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - PCI Medical Standard
PDF 268.77 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - RBBB Medical Standard
PDF 266.68 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - SVT Medical Standard
PDF 264.4 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Medical guidelines - Cardiovascular - Syncope Medical Standard
PDF 244.54 KB

(opens in a new window)

Psychological guidelines

Recruitment - Psychological guidelines - Anxiety Guideline
PDF 280.08 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Psychological guidelines - Bipolar Guideline
PDF 301.44 KB

(opens in a new window)

Recruitment - Psychological guidelines - Depression Guideline
PDF 292.63 KB

(opens in a new window)

Hepatitis B vaccination

Hepatitis B is a potentially serious infection caused by a blood borne virus. There is a vaccine which provides protection against this.

Police work can, at times, involve dealing with people who are bleeding. As a result, it is a requirement that applicants must have commenced or completed against hepatitis B vaccinations prior to their commencement at the Victoria Police Academy.

How to return the completed applicant assessment

Upon completion of the examination, send the completed Medical and Psychological Certification to the Victoria Police Recruiting team at RECRUITMENT-CERTIFICATION-MGR@police.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).

Careers

Updated 21 August 2025