About to leave school and thinking of applying to be a police officer, or not qualified to apply yet? Early prep can give you a huge advantage in your future recruitment process.
Check out tips on what to build on now that improve your future application's chances. Some of these skills and experience you probably already have.
Preparation doesn’t just help, it sets you apart
Preparation doesn’t just help you pass the requirements - it shows you’re committed, motivated, and ready for the challenge.
Preparation tells us you’re serious. You’ve done your homework and know what we’re looking for, and you’ve taken steps to build the skills, fitness, and mindset to get there.
That makes a big impression - and can give you an advantage when it’s your turn to apply.
12 steps to take now for your future police application
These 12 steps can help you get ready for a future police officer application.
These steps can help:
- school leavers
- career changers
- new Australian citizens or permanent residents
- anyone thinking of becoming a police officer who is not ready to apply yet.
These steps include simple actions that can build your skills, fitness, confidence, and life experience over time.
1. Prioritise learning
Keep learning in a way that suits your life.
If you are at school, TAFE, university, or doing a course, choose subjects that build skills in:
- communication
- writing
- problem-solving
- decision-making.
If you are an adult or career changer, try short courses, work training, volunteering, or community programs.
Useful areas include:
- English, languages, maths, or science
- first aid or leadership
- customer service or community work.
2. Strengthen your communication skills
Clear and respectful communication is important in policing.
You can build these skills through:
- public speaking, debating, or drama
- group work, sport, or work
- customer service, volunteering, or community roles.
Practice listening, staying calm, speaking clearly, and working with people from different backgrounds.
3. Build problem-solving and decision-making skills
Police officers often need to think clearly and make good choices under pressure.
You can build these skills through:
- study, work, or sport
- leadership or volunteering
- travel, caring roles, or life experience.
Look for chances to solve problems, make choices, learn from mistakes, and stay calm when plans change.
4. Get involved in your community
Community work helps you understand people, build trust, and show you want to help others.
You could:
- volunteer
- join a local group
- help at a sports club
- take part in cultural activities
- support people near you.
Example: volunteer at a community centre, sports club, charity, school event, or local group.
What it shows us: you care about your community, work well with others, and want to serve.
5. Build your fitness and healthy habits
Policing can be physical. Building your fitness early can help you get ready for recruitment, training, and the job.
Work on cardio, strength, endurance, and healthy habits. Start where you are and build up over time.
Example: running, swimming, cycling, gym, team sport, walking groups, fitness classes, or home workouts.
What it shows us: you are disciplined, consistent, and ready to prepare for the physical side of policing.
Preparation checklist:
Download the POLICE FIT app to track your progress and get police fit:
- do 3 to 4 cardio sessions each week, like running, swimming, or cycling
- add strength training, like push-ups, squats, and core work
- build endurance with longer walks, runs, circuits, or team sport
- make time for rest, recovery, and healthy habits.
6. Gain customer service or people-focused experience
Working with people can help you build empathy, patience, confidence, and conflict skills.
This could include:
- retail, hospitality, or call centres
- healthcare, education, or community services
- security, transport, admin, or caring roles
- any job where you help people.
Example: work in a café, supermarket, restaurant, customer support role, community group, or service job.
What it shows us: you can talk to different people, stay calm, work in a team, and handle hard moments.
7. Build emotional resilience
Police work can be hard at times, and recruitment can take time.
Resilience can help you manage stress, stay calm, bounce back, and keep going.
You can build it through exercise, rest, support, mentoring, healthy routines, and learning from tough times.
8. Understand the recruitment process
Learn about the Victoria Police recruitment process before you apply.
The process can include:
- eligibility checks
- an online form
- an exam
- a fitness test
- health and background checks
- interviews and other steps.
Knowing what to expect can help you plan your time, prepare your documents, improve your fitness, and avoid surprises.
9. Build life experience and cultural awareness
Life experience can help you understand people, places, and different situations.
You can build this through:
- work, travel, study, or volunteering
- caring roles or community work
- learning a language
- meeting people from different backgrounds.
For new Australian citizens and permanent residents, this may include:
- building confidence at work
- learning about local communities
- improving English
- understanding police work in Victoria.
These experiences can help you build empathy, confidence, respect, and the ability to adapt.
10. Develop strong ethics and integrity
Police officers need honesty, fairness, respect, and good judgement.
Think about your values and choices. Ask yourself how you treat others and what you do when things go wrong.
When you apply, be honest in your forms, checks, interviews, and tests.
11. Be ready for the time and cost involved
The police recruitment process can take over six months. There may also be costs.
Plan ahead for your time, appointments, documents, fitness work, and application costs.
If you work, study, care for family, or want to change careers, think about how you will make time for each step.
12. Build your support network
A strong support network can help you stay motivated.
Talk to people you trust, such as:
- family or friends
- teachers, coaches, or mentors
- workmates or community leaders.
Tell them why policing matters to you and how they can support you while you prepare.
Build your knowledge, skills, and check your eligibility
You can keep preparing by exploring:
Four steps to put yourself forward
For the best chance of success, follow these steps:
Common questions about preparing for a police career
Short answers to common questions about getting ready to apply.
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