A lot of people want to join Victoria Police. Far fewer actually make it through. The process is long, the standards are real, and the competition is serious. So if you are asking how hard is it to get into Vic Police, the honest answer is that it is genuinely challenging, but it is very doable if you prepare properly.
Here is everything you need to know, broken down clearly.
What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements to Join Victoria Police?
Before you even think about fitness or interviews, you need to meet the base requirements. Victoria Police is specific about who can apply.
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You need to be at least 18 years old at the time of appointment. There is no upper age limit, which surprises a lot of people. You need a current Victorian driver’s licence, or be able to get one before you start. You also need to pass a full medical assessment, a psychological assessment, and a background check.
Your vision needs to meet specific standards too. Uncorrected vision must be at least 6/18 in each eye, correctable to 6/6. Colour vision is also tested. If you wear glasses or contacts, that is fine, but your corrected vision needs to hit the required standard.
These are non-negotiable. If you do not meet them, the application stops there.
Does Having a Criminal Record Disqualify You From Joining Victoria Police?
Not automatically, but it depends heavily on what is on your record.
Victoria Police conducts a thorough background check on every applicant. This covers criminal history, traffic offences, financial history, and your general character. They also look at your social media presence and speak to referees.
Minor or old offences do not always result in disqualification. Serious offences, particularly violent crimes, drug trafficking, or dishonesty offences, will almost certainly end your application. Undisclosed offences are treated very seriously. If you try to hide something and they find it, that is worse than the offence itself.
The advice here is simple. Be honest about everything. Victoria Police values integrity above most other things. Trying to conceal your history is a fast way to get rejected.
What Qualifications or Education Do You Need to Apply?
You do not need a university degree to apply as a Police Recruit. The minimum education requirement is completion of Year 12 or an equivalent qualification.
That said, having a degree or relevant experience in areas like psychology, law, social work, or community services can strengthen your application. It is not required, but it adds context to who you are and what you bring.
What Victoria Police cares about more than formal qualifications is your communication skills, your judgment, your values, and your ability to work with people from all backgrounds. The written and verbal assessments in the recruitment process test these directly.
How Competitive Is the Victoria Police Recruitment Process?
Very competitive. Victoria Police receives thousands of applications each year. Not all of them progress past the initial stages.
The recruitment process has multiple stages, and each one filters out applicants. The written aptitude test, the physical fitness test, the psychological assessment, the medical, the interview, and the background check all act as gates. You need to pass every single one.
According to Victoria Police, the recruitment process is designed to find people who meet a high standard across all areas, not just one. Someone who is extremely fit but performs poorly in the psychological assessment will not progress. Someone who aces the written test but fails the fitness test also does not progress.
The process rewards well-rounded preparation. You cannot coast on one strength.
What Physical Fitness Level Is Required to Get Into Victoria Police?
This is where a lot of applicants get caught out. The fitness test is a real barrier, and it catches people who underestimate it.
The Victoria Police fitness test includes four components. You need to pass all of them.
- The Beep Test (Multi-Stage Fitness Test) — Males must reach level 7.5. Females must reach level 5.5. This tests your aerobic capacity and is the component most people struggle with if they have not trained specifically for it.
- Push-ups — Males must complete 16 push-ups. Females must complete 6. These are full push-ups with correct form, not modified.
- Sit and Reach — You need to reach at least 24cm on the sit and reach test. This measures lower back and hamstring flexibility.
- Illinois Agility Test — Males must complete this in 18.8 seconds or less. Females must complete it in 22.1 seconds or less. This tests your ability to change direction quickly, which is directly relevant to police work.
These standards are not elite athlete numbers. But they are not easy either, especially if you have not been training consistently. The beep test in particular requires specific preparation. Running casually a few times a week will not get most people to level 7.5.
The fitness test is conducted at the Victoria Police Academy and is a pass or fail assessment. If you fail, your application does not progress. You can reapply, but you lose your place in the current intake.
Training specifically for these four components is the smartest thing you can do before your test date. Each one has a clear standard, so you can train to hit that standard and know exactly where you stand before you walk in.
How Long Does the Victoria Police Application Process Take?
Plan for six to twelve months from the time you submit your application to the time you start at the Academy. Sometimes longer.
Here is the general sequence of stages.
- Online application and eligibility check
- Written aptitude test
- Physical fitness test
- Psychological assessment
- Medical assessment
- Interview and background check
- Offer and Academy intake
Each stage takes time to schedule and process. Background checks alone can take weeks, especially if you have lived overseas or have a complex history. Medical assessments involve multiple specialists in some cases.
The Academy itself runs for 18 weeks. During that time you are a Probationary Constable and you receive a salary. After graduating, you complete a two-year probationary period in the field before you are confirmed as a Constable.
So from application to fully confirmed Constable, you are looking at roughly three years total. That is worth knowing upfront so you can plan accordingly.
What Does the Written Aptitude Test Cover?
The written test assesses your ability to read and understand information, write clearly, and apply basic reasoning. It is not a general knowledge test. It tests the cognitive skills you need to do police work effectively.
Sections typically include reading comprehension, written communication, numerical reasoning, and situational judgment. The situational judgment section presents you with scenarios and asks how you would respond. There are no trick questions, but the answers require you to think about values, priorities, and practical judgment.
Preparation helps. Practicing reading comprehension exercises, working through basic numeracy problems, and thinking through ethical scenarios will sharpen your performance.
What Does the Psychological Assessment Involve?
The psychological assessment is one of the most misunderstood parts of the process. People worry about it, but if you are honest and self-aware, it is not something to fear.
It typically involves a written personality and psychological questionnaire followed by an interview with a psychologist. The assessment looks at your emotional stability, your ability to handle stress, your judgment, your values, and your suitability for police work.
Victoria Police is looking for people who are psychologically resilient, honest, and able to make sound decisions under pressure. They are not looking for people who have never experienced difficulty. They are looking for people who handle difficulty well.
Trying to game the psychological assessment by giving what you think are the right answers is a bad strategy. Psychologists are trained to spot inconsistency. Answer honestly and reflect genuinely on your experiences.
How Do You Actually Prepare to Get In?
The people who get through are the ones who treat the preparation seriously and start early.
For the fitness test, start training at least three to four months out. Build your aerobic base first, then work on the beep test specifically. Practice the Illinois agility test so the movement pattern feels natural. Do push-ups regularly so you can hit the required reps with good form. Work on your flexibility so the sit and reach is not a surprise.
For the written test, practice reading dense material and summarising it. Work through basic numeracy. Think through ethical scenarios and practice articulating your reasoning clearly.
For the interview, know your own story. Know why you want to join, what experiences have shaped your values, and how you have handled difficult situations in the past. Be specific. Vague answers do not land well.
Get your documents in order early. Birth certificate, citizenship documents, driver’s licence, referee contact details. Delays in documentation slow down your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I have tattoos?
Yes. Victoria Police updated its tattoo policy. Tattoos are assessed on a case by case basis. Tattoos that are offensive, discriminatory, or that cannot be covered by a uniform may cause issues. Visible tattoos on the face, neck, or hands are assessed carefully. If you are unsure, contact Victoria Police recruitment directly.
Can I apply if I wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. Your corrected vision needs to meet the required standard of 6/6. Laser eye surgery is also accepted, provided it meets the medical criteria and has been stable for a required period.
Is there a height or weight requirement?
No specific height or weight requirement exists. The medical and fitness assessments determine whether you are physically capable of performing the role. Body composition is assessed as part of the medical, but there is no set number you need to hit.
Can I reapply if I fail a stage?
Yes. If you fail the fitness test or another stage, you can reapply for a future intake. Use the time to address the specific area where you fell short. Many successful recruits did not get through on their first attempt.
Do I need to live in Victoria to apply?
You need to be willing to live and work in Victoria. You do not need to currently reside there when you apply, but you will need to relocate before or during the Academy.
What happens at the Academy?
The 18-week Academy program covers law, police procedures, communication, defensive tactics, firearms training, first aid, and practical scenario training. It is demanding physically and academically. You are paid a salary during this time as a Probationary Constable. Understanding the full scope of what the role entails helps you decide if a career in Victoria Police aligns with your goals.
The Bottom Line
Getting into Victoria Police is not easy, but it is not out of reach either. The process is long, the standards are real, and you need to perform across multiple areas. The fitness test trips up people who do not prepare specifically for it. The psychological and background assessments catch people who are not honest.
Start preparing early. Train for the specific fitness standards. Know your own story and values. Be completely honest throughout the process. That combination gets people through.
If you want to build the fitness base you need before your test, working with a program designed specifically around the Victoria Police fitness standards is the most efficient way to get there.
