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Self assessment checklist

A career with SA Police can be both highly challenging and deeply rewarding. Our entry requirements aim to help you assess whether you’re right for the job.

If you’re thinking of applying for a role as either a police officer or a police security officer, our quick self-assessment checklist will help you confirm your eligibility.

1. Are you an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or do you hold Australian permanent residency?

You must either be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or hold Australian permanent residency to join SA Police.

2. Are you 17 years of age or older?

You need to be at least 17 years old before submitting an application for Police Officer or Police Security Officer.

3. Have you successfully completed Year 12 or undertaken equivalent studies?

Completion of Year 12 or equivalent is highly desirable. If you haven’t completed Year 12, we will take into consideration evidence of your ability to cope with the academic aspects of recruit training and the demands of police and police security officer duties.

4. Have you successfully completed the SAPOL Recruitment Test (TAFE SA)?

The SAPOL Recruitment Test (TAFE SA) covers the minimum requirements for reading, numeracy and literacy.

You can APPLY NOW and after we have reviewed your application you will be invited to sit the SAPOL Recruitment Test with TAFE SA, at no cost to you.

Country and interstate applicants will undertake the SA Police Recruitment Test with the Recruitment Section during their testing in Adelaide and are not required to sit the test with TAFE SA prior to submitting an application.

5. Do you hold a current C class (car) Australian driver’s licence?

You must hold a current car class driver’s licence. This can be a full licence or provisional licence but if you hold a provisional licence you must not have accrued any demerit points or be on a Safer Driver Agreement. Police Security Officer applicants must hold a P2 licence or full licence. You should speak to the staff at Recruiting Section for further information about how this might impact on your application.

A provisional licence is also acceptable; however, you must not have accrued any demerit points or be on a Safer Driver Agreement. You should speak to the staff at Recruiting Section for further information about how this might impact on your application.

6. Are you prepared to work rotating rosters including night shifts, weekends and public holidays?

If not, you will be unsuitable for General Duties policing. Police officers are rostered for shift work which includes night shifts, weekends and public holidays to ensure SAPOL provides 24 hour policing to the community of South Australia.

Please contact our Recruitment Section if you would like more information about this aspect of the role.

7. Are you willing to be posted to any location in South Australia at the direction of the Commissioner of Police? (not applicable to PSO)

You must be willing to be posted to any location in South Australia.

Please contact our Recruitment Section if you would like more information about this aspect of the role.

8. Are you willing to carry and use a range of tactical policing options to perform policing duties?

You must be willing and able to carry and use a range of tactical policing options.

Please contact our Recruitment Section if you would like more information about this aspect of the role.

9. Do you have any previous convictions, cautions or driving offences?

The total number and circumstances surrounding any previous cautions or convictions may impact your ability to join SA Police. Before applying, please contact our Recruitment Section to discuss your situation.

10. Do you believe you will be able to cope with graphic and emotive incidents as a police officer, including motor vehicle accidents, crime scenes, assaults and deaths?

You must be able to cope with graphic and emotive incidents.

Please contact our Recruitment Section if you would like more information about this aspect of the role.

11. Are you medically and physically fit?

You will be required to undertake an initial medical assessment to ensure you can perform the inherent requirements of policing duties. You will also be required to pass a physical capacity test.

12. Do you have good eyesight? Your visual acuity needs to be 6/9 or better (with or without correction) AND 6/18 or better in your worse eye without correction.

To apply for a role with SA Police, you need to meet these minimum eyesight requirements. Before applying, please contact our Recruitment Section to discuss your situation.

13. Do you have an injury or disability that could prevent you from performing your policing duties?

As an officer, you’ll need to be able and fit enough to work in a demanding and physically challenging role. If your health prevents you from performing these duties, a role in policing may not be right for you. Fortunately, a number of other exciting career opportunities are available within SA Police. Please contact our Recruitment Section to discuss your options.

Congratulations, you have completed the checklist!

If we advised you to contact Recruiting Section or you are yet to achieve one of the pre-application requirements then don’t hesitate to discuss your circumstances with one of our Recruiting staff.

If you have what it takes to join SA Police and meet the eligibility criteria, we invite you to submit an online application for a career with SA Police - as a police officer, police security officer or community constable.