Application Process
Admission into the Associate Degree in Policing Practice
The application process to commence the recruit education program - the Associate Degree in Policing Practice - is a lengthy process. There are usually three intakes per year into the Associate Degree in Policing Practice - January, May and September. Offers to each program usually commence 3 months before session commences. Due to limited vacancies and the competitive nature of the process, and whilst all successful applications will be considered for these intakes, successfully completing the application process should not give an expectation of subsequent employment.
The application process follows a number of stages:
Stage 1. Academic Entry Requirements
Charles Sturt University undertake the first stage of the process on behalf of the NSW Police Force. The application form for academic eligibility assessment is available from Charles Sturt University's Associate Degree in Policing Practice page.
- Applicants must meet one of a range of minimum academic requirements including previous TAFE or University courses, HSC (ATAR) or equivalent or previous policing experience.
For advice on the entry criteria contact Charles Sturt University admissions on 1800 443 306.
Once an applicant has been assessed as academically eligible they will be able to dowload the Professional Suitability Application forms from the NSW Police Force website.
Stage 2. Professional Suitability Application Process
IMPORTANT UPDATE - NSW Police Recruitment will soon be introducing an online application process. Applicants will then be required to complete their Professional Suitability Application online and will need to upload/attach all required certificates. The Medical Assessment form will be remaining on the Recruitment website for applicants to download. Further updates will be posted on this site advising when the online application will be implemented.
The Professional Suitability Application is assessed by Recruitment Officers from the NSW Police Force Recruitment Branch.
There are two stages in the assessment process:
- Professional suitability
- Medical suitability
Professional suitability criteria includes:
- Appropriate behavioural background (based upon assessment of criminal, traffic, employment and any evidence of inappropriate associations)
- Full and current motor vehicle driver's licence. At professional suitability application stage, a red provisional (Red Ps) license (or equivalent) is acceptable, however a Green provisional (Green Ps) license (or equivalent) must then be held at time of attestation
- Minimum age for application is 18 years (must be 19 years old to attest)
Please Note: From 1 October 2011 Professional Suitability criteria also includes completion of the following requirements:
- Current Senior First Aid certificate (including pocket mask) or equivalent or evidence of industry based experience (e.g. nursing). This certificate must have a further validity period of 12 months from the date of receipt at Police Recruitment. Please note that applicants are required to ensure their certificate is current at the time of attestation.
- Proof of ability to swim 100 metres unaided, dated within the last 2 years
- Ability to type 25 wpm with 98% accuracy in accordance with Australian Standards, dated within the last 2 years
These certificates must be certified by a JP.
Medical suitability criteria include:
- Health and fitness to fully perform the inherent requirements of operational policing duties
- Commencement of Hepatitis B immunisation (2 injections)
- Various medical requirements must be met before a applicant can be granted entry into the ADPP program.
Once a professional suitability assessment (including medical history) has been assessed and found to be suitable, the applicant and Charles Sturt University will be notified.
Stage 3. Physical Fitness and Psychometric Assessments (Assessment Day)
Once an applicant has satisfactorily passed the professional suitability stages they will be invited to attend physical fitness and psychometric assessments (Assessment Day). Bulk assessments are run throughout the year, as required by the Recruitment Branch.
Learn more about the physical fitness requirements.
For further information contact the Police Recruitment Branch on 1800 222 122.
Stage 4. Offer Process
Once an applicant has satisfactorily passed physical fitness and psychometric testing, the application will be considered on a competitive basis for offer into the next available ADPP Intake. Both academic and professional suitability rankings are considered when identifying potentially suitable applicants for an intake.
Depending on organisational needs the NSW Police Force instructs Charles Sturt University to make a number of offers on their behalf to these identified applicants, inviting them to enrol in the Associate Degree in Policing Practice. The offer process usually commences between 1 to 2 months prior to the commencement of an intake.
Stage 5. Studies at the NSW Police Academy
Before an offer of employment will be made, students of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice must successfully complete two sessions of study and participate in a two week (80 hours) field placement at a police station.
In addition, students must continue to maintain Professional Suitability requirements and must have obtained:
- Minimum Green Ps (NSW) or equivalent
This information has been compiled to assist you in determining whether you will meet Professional Suitability requirements.