Your career as a protective services officer (PSO) starts with paid training at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley.
The training, combined with on-the-job learning, prepares you for life as a PSO.
Earn while you learn
You’ll be paid from your very first day of training.
Your training wage is competitive, and can include penalty rates and shift allowances.
Learn more about protective services officer salaries, leave, benefits and hours.
What to expect at the Academy
Your journey at the Academy is about dedication and commitment. We provide you with all the tools to succeed as a PSO.
You will take part in regular practical assessments and exams. Your training will include a variety of areas including:
- law
- communication skills
- operational safety tactics
- drill.
Training schedule
PSOs undertake 12-weeks of full-time, paid training at the Academy. The usual training hours at the Academy are 7:30am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Training hours and shift times can vary for graduation days and afternoon shifts.
During shift variations, recruits that have carer or other responsibilities may need to organise extra care support.
Types of learning
Your time at the Academy will expose you to learning through:
- specialist lecturers
- reality-based training
- simulations
- practical scenarios
- case studies
- problem-based learning.
You may need to undertake extra study and maintain your fitness outside of class times.
Academy location
The Victoria Police Academy is located at 1 View Mount Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150.
Accommodation and costs
It is not compulsory to live-in while training. However, if you live more than 40km radius from the Academy you may choose to do so.
The cost to live at the Academy during training is $521.40 per fortnight.
Academy accommodation offers:
- meals from Monday to Friday
- computer access
- physical training facilities, and
- an environment to study.
Recreational leave and weekends
Training at the Academy is physically and mentally demanding. There’s a lot to fit in and it will take all your dedication to succeed.
You cannot take leave during training. This is unless it’s allocated by the Quality Education Unit.
If you choose to live at the Academy during your training (if eligible), you will be able to return home on the weekends.
Graduation
After completing your training, you will graduate from the Academy.
Your graduation will include a formal ceremony and celebration.
Post-academy placements and deployment
After you graduate, you will start work under the guidance of Transit Safety Division from Victoria Police.
Here, you will receive on-the-job training and mentoring at your allocated work location.
This will take place:
- in the Melbourne CBD, or
- the metropolitan Melbourne area, or
- a regional location (if available).
You will also have the opportunity to move to other work locations. This may include regional stations or to the Protective Services Unit.
Learn more about the PSO benefits and promotion opportunities after graduation.
Already started your application?
Continue your protective services officer application by logging in to our careers portal.
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