Application Process

Admission into the Associate Degree of Policing Practice

The application process to commence the recruit education program : the Associate Degree of Policing Practice is a lengthy process. There are three intakes a year into the Diploma of 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 whilst all successful applications will be considered for these intakes, an application 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 NSW Police. The application form is available in the information application pack.  The pack provides advice with regard to the process.

• Applicants must meet one of a range of minimum academic requirements including previous TAFE or University courses, HSC (UAI) or equivalent or previous policing experience.

Stage 2 Professional Suitability Application Process

The Professional Suitability Application is assessed by Recruitment Officers (1800 222 122) at Police Headquarters in Parramatta.  The information application pack provides advice with regard to the process.

There are two stages in the assessment process

1. Professional suitability
2. 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 stage, a green provisional (Ps) license (or equivalent) is acceptable.
• Minimum age 18 years (must be 19 years old to attest).
• Certification of ability to type a minimum of 25wpm with 98% accuracy (confirmation with Australian Standards).

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 student can be granted entry into the program. A full explanation is given in the medical history kits available during the application process

Once a professional suitability assessment (including medical history) is determined the applicant and the university will be notified.

Stage 3   Physical Fitness and Psychometric Assessments

Once an applicant has satisfactorily passed both stages, the applicant will be invited to attend physical fitness and psychometric assessments.  Bulk assessments are run throughout the year, as required by the Branch. 
For information regarding the physical fitness requirements click here. 
For further information contact the Recruitment Branch (1800 222 122) or the Manager, Healthy Lifestyles at the NSW Police College, Goulburn.
Mandatory Literacy and Drug Testing of applicants are currently being considered for implementation at this stage.

Stage 4 Offer Process

Once an applicant has satisfactorily passed physical fitness and literacy testing, the application will be considered on a competitive basis, for offer to the next available DPP Intake.  Both academic and professional suitability rankings are considered when identifying potential suitable applicants for an intake.

Depending on organisational needs NSW Police instruct Charles Sturt University to make a number of offers on their behalf to these identified applicants, inviting them to enrol in the Associated Degree of Policing Practice.  The offer process usually commences between 1 and 2 months prior to the commencement of an intake.

Stage 5 Studies at the NSW Police College

Before an offer of employment will be made, students of the Associated Degree of Policing Practice must successfully complete two sessions of study and participate in a two week field placement at a police station.
In addition, they must continue to maintain Professional Suitability Requirements and complete the following criteria:

• Current Senior First Aid certificate or equivalent or evidence of industry based experience (eg. nursing). Applicants must also provide certification that they are proficient in the use of a laerdel pocket mask.
• Proof of ability to swim 100 metres unaided
• Various medical requirements must be met before a student can be granted entry into the program. A full explanation is given in the professional suitability application kits available during the application process

The following has been compiled to assist you in determining whether you meet Professional Suitability requirements.