Recruitment process for protective services officers (PSOs)

You will submit your application online.

We will assess the suitability of your application.

Make sure you use correct spelling and grammar and that you answer all questions in full.

The application form will ask you for your:

• personal details
• employment history
• education history, and
• history of prior offences and police dealings.

You do not need to complete your application in one sitting. Make sure you save your application before you exit the careers portal.

You cannot make edits once you press submit, however, you can view your responses. If your details change after you apply, email RSB-SPRINGBOARD-MGR@police.vic.gov.au.

After you submit your application

Once you complete your online application, you may be contacted by our Recruiting Services Branch. They will then email you to ask you to complete the Victoria Police entrance exam.

You will need to pay for all costs during the recruitment process. This includes:

• the entrance exam
• travelling to and from assessment venues
• medical appointments, and
• First Aid certification.

You must meet certain entry requirements before you apply.

The eligibility checks stage ensures you meet these requirements.

This includes assessing your:

• basic driving history
• criminal history, and
• responses to motivational and behavioural based questions.

Please note, not all applications will progress past this initial stage of the process.

If your application is successful, you will need to sit an entrance exam.

You must pass all components of the exam before you can progress to the next phase of the selection process.

The exam includes four assessments:

1. numeracy skills
2. abstract reasoning
3. literacy skills
4. report writing.

Exemptions to sitting the exam

All exemptions are approved at the discretion of our Recruitment Team.

You may be exempt from the exam if:

• You are currently:
  • undertaking a Bachelor of Criminology (or similar) at an Australian, New Zealand or United Kingdom university, and are in your final year of study, or
  • a Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee (VPSG3 or above), or
  • employed by Victoria Police (all classifications and tenures).
• In the last five years you:
  • passed the Victoria Police ACER entrance exam, or
  • passed a police entrance exam or a police academic entry requirement for another Australian policing jurisdiction, or
  • were employed as a police officer or have prior policing experience in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, or
  • completed a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in an arts, science, humanities, business or law discipline at an Australian, New Zealand or United Kingdom university, or
  • were employed as a paramedic or firefighter in an emergency services organisation in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom (this exemption does not apply to volunteer work such as State Emergency Service (SES) or Country Fire Authority (CFA)), or
  • were employed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on a full-time basis (this exemption does not apply to ADF Reservists), or
  • passed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), with:
    • an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 65 or above, and
    • a minimum score of 25 in English.

Preparation materials

Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is the examination authority for Victoria Police.

You can buy the following resources for entrance exam practice questions:

• Entrance exam 'Practise Now' resource(opens in a new window)
• Entrance exam online practise tests (available after exam registration).

Victoria Police Entrance Exam video tutorials

The Victoria Police entrance examination is made up of four (4) sections. Here are three video tutorials to help you better prepare for the Victoria Police entrance exam.

Victoria Police Entrance Exam – Numeracy

This exam video tutorial explains what’s involved in the numeracy component of the Victoria Police Entrance Examination.

Victoria Police Entrance Exam – Abstract Reasoning

This exam video tutorial explains what’s involved in the abstract reasoning component of the Victoria Police Entrance Examination.

Victoria Police Entrance Exam – Literacy

This exam video tutorial explains what’s involved in the literacy component of the Victoria Police Entrance Examination.

Sitting the exam

You will be responsible for all examination costs. This includes the cost of:

• the initial $275 exam, and
• any re-sits.

You will have two months to sit your exam. If you are unsuccessful on any component, you will be able to re-sit.

If you are unsuccessful on the re-sit, an exclusion period will apply. This is why you need to be ready to pass the entrance exam before you apply.

Mode of entrance exam delivery

The exam will now be available either online or in person.

You can sit the exam online via remote proctoring, or you may elect to sit the exam in person. The in person exam is available at the Camberwell venue only.

If you pass the exam, our Recruitment Team will conduct a background check.

This check will cover your previous history to determine your eligibility and suitability for the role.

We will send you a document pack that you must complete in detail. This includes various aspects of your background including:

• your employment
• your family associations
• your education, and
• your travel.

Accurately completing this document package is an assessed component of the recruitment process.

Your application will be delayed if any information is missing or incomplete.

Failure to disclose information can result in your application being cancelled.

Fingerprinting

All PSO applicants must have a set of fingerprints taken.

Contact your local police station to make a fingerprint booking.

You must bring photo ID and other identification documentation to confirm your identity.

The Victoria Police Recruiting Applicant Pack explains the documentation required. This is under the Police Applicant Schedule of Requirements.

A member of the station will take your fingerprints and sight your documents.

There is no fee to have your fingerprints taken.

Interstate applicants

Interstate applicants need a fingerprint card to take with them to their appointment. Your ink prints will be sent to our Victorian Fingerprint Unit.

To get your fingerprint card, email us at rsb-springboard-mgr@police.vic.gov.au.

Code of conduct and prior behaviour

Victoria Police conducts extensive background checks during the selection process.

All Victoria Police employees follow a code of conduct. You must align with the code of conduct expected of our employees.

That means the application process involves a thorough assessment to identify any:

• prior misconduct
• corruption, or
• any form of improper conduct.

The ongoing expectation is that you understand and avoid misconduct, and immediately report any misconduct should you become aware of it during your employment at Victoria Police.

This helps keep Victoria Police an ethical organisation.

Your previous history will be assessed at this stage and throughout the entire selection process. This includes your:

• traffic history
• criminal history
• employment history.

Prior offences and Voluntary Disclosure Form (VDF)

You can check our prior history guidelines to learn if a past offence will affect your application.

Check the prior history guidelines

If you are unsure about your eligibility due to a prior offence, submit a Voluntary Disclosure Form (VDF) before you submit your application.

If you have any contact with police during the selection process, you must inform the Recruiting Services Branch immediately at recruitingservices@police.vic.gov.au.

As a protective services officer, you must maintain a healthy level of fitness.

As part of the application process, you will be required to undertake a fitness test. The test will assess your level of cardio fitness and physical strength.

The fitness tests are held at the Victoria Police Academy. Please allow 1.5 hours for these tests.

The fitness test includes the following components:

• beep test (to level 5.01)
• grip test (30kg in each hand)
• Illinois agility run (20 seconds or less)
• push-ups (five successive push-ups on toes)
• prone bridge (hold for 60 seconds).

POLICE FIT app

You can prepare for the Victoria Police fitness test with the POLICE FIT app.

The app is a free tool with exclusive videos, tips, workouts, and resources to help you succeed.

Download the Police Fit app on Google Play.

Download the Police Fit app on App Store.

The protective services officer role can be psychologically demanding.

[EM1] It is important to us to consider how you will cope with the demands of the role, and maintain your own wellbeing.

You will need to:

• complete and return a consent form (emailed to you during the recruitment process)
• take an online psychological evaluation (we recommend completing it in a quiet space free of distraction).

Your answers to this test will help us to measure how suitable you are to be a PSO.

Understanding what to expect, and how to prepare for the role, is key for a successful application.

Preparing for the psychological screening

A good way to prepare is to speak to someone who already works in, or understands, the role of a PSO.

It’s also worth writing down:

• what draws you to this career path, and
• what makes you suited to the role.

Think about the psychological skills and qualities you might need in different situations. Preparing thought-out, real-life examples can better prepare you for the psychological screening test.

When you take the psychological screening test

Some important tips before you start:

• Set up a quiet, private space free of distractions.
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Answer everything honestly.
• Acknowledge both your strengths and weaknesses.
• Remember that we review how quickly you complete the test – it should take you at least 30-40 minutes.
• If you hurry your answers, or your test has errors, it may be harmful for your application.
• Look up any words you don’t understand - don’t guess their meaning.
• Take a break at the end of each assessment, complete each assessment in one sitting.

If you don't progress after the psychological gateway

It can be confusing and disappointing to be unsuccessful in our psychological screening.

Not progressing after the psychological gateway does not mean a judgement has been made on your mental health.

It simply means that based on this particular assessment, you have not met the inherent psychological requirements of the role.

Your nominated GP or treating health professional will review the information and documentation provided by Victoria Police. They will use this to conduct an examination to assess whether you meet the requirements to be a PSO.

These medical documents review a minimum 5-year history, and assess your:

• current health status, and
• 5-years of medical suitability.

As part of this medical assessment process, you need to:

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

You will need to pay for all costs associated with this stage.

If you would like to know more about this stage, please read our medical information for applicants.

GPs or medical health professionals

Your GP or treating health professional will be provided with the relevant documents and information, including the medical guideline documents.

This will help them to make a medical assessment.

We will assess your application against our values and the Victoria Police code of ethics.

During this stage of the process, we look further into your:

• employment history
• associations
• social media
• any police involvements.

You must disclose all relevant information to Victoria Police throughout the recruitment process.

This means declaring all your associations, past and present, that you suspect to have adverse police dealings. It also includes those Victoria Police would consider being of poor character and reputation.

This includes:

• family members
• people you live with
• any person you associate with or have associated within the past.

This allows us to assess the risk of your associations to you and the organisation.

Failure to declare this information will raise concerns about your integrity, character and suitability for the role.

The panel interview is usually the final step in your recruitment process.

It is generally held at the Victoria Police Centre. Two members of Victoria Police will attend.

It will consist of behavioural and scenario-based questions.

Not all applicants will be deemed suitable for induction into the Victoria Police Academy.

Come prepared with examples of when you have:

• had successful work relationships
• used your communication skills
• shown personal drive, and
• shown integrity.

The interview determines if you are suitable for induction into the Victoria Police Academy.

Preparation for behavioural questions

To prepare for the behavioural questions, you can:

• Brainstorm past experiences that demonstrate relevant strengths for the police officer position. Think about communications skills, conflict negotiation, teamwork and leadership.
• Draw from experiences where you achieved a positive result in a negative situation.
• Research current affairs in Victoria. This should include issues facing Victoria Police and the community.
• Know your motivation for applying for the role.
• Select the best examples from your list of past experiences.
• Structure responses to possible questions.
• Practise mock interviews and role-playing.

When preparing possible responses, practise the ‘STAR’ method. ‘STAR’ stands for:

• Situation: explain the situation where an experience happened.
• Task: explain the task you had to complete in the situation.
• Actions: explain the action or actions you took in the situation.
• Result: explain the outcome or outcomes of the situation.

Preparation for interview panel day

On the day of your interview:

• Dress in business attire.
• Arrive 15 minutes early. Allow plenty of time for travel and to find the venue. The address is: Ground floor, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• Bring any supporting documents you need.

During the interview:

• Try and stay calm and relaxed. Take deep breaths.
• Introduce yourself to the interview panel members.
• Allow the interviewer to finish talking before you answer the question.
• If you don't understand a question, ask them to repeat or rephrase it.
• Think about your answer before you speak. There's no need to rush.
• Show interest and enthusiasm when responding to questions.
• Be concise when you answer each question.

The panel will give you an opportunity to ask any final questions.

If you are successful in the selection process, you will go into the candidate pool. Here, you will await invitation to start training at the Victoria Police Academy.

We aim to provide you with six weeks' notice before starting at the Academy.

Holidays and leave

Once you are added to the candidate pool, we strongly advise not to book any extended leave (more than 4 weeks).

Fitness test

Depending on how long you have been on the candidate pool, you may need to retake your fitness test.

Giving notice to your current employer

We will contact your current employer for a reference. We recommend letting them know that you are part of the candidate pool.

We do not recommend giving notice until you have a final letter of offer.

Changes to your details

You will be asked to confirm that none of your details have changed.

This may include:

• any medical procedures
• injuries, or
• any other circumstances that may affect your ability to become a PSO.