How to become a General Duties Police Officer

Maintains public order, protects life and property, prevents anti-social behaviour, and enforces laws by patrolling public areas, responding to reports of offences, and arresting suspected offenders.

Main tasks

• Patrols public areas to engage with the community and gather information to prevent crime and improve public safety in accordance with legislation
• Attends emergency calls, accidents and incidents, and manages the scene to preserve evidence
• Identifies unsafe driver behaviour, records vehicle speeds, conducts vehicle stops and pullovers, and tests drivers suspected of drug and alcohol use
• Assesses situations to determine if an offence has been committed and arrests suspected offenders
• Conducts initial investigations, including gathering evidence, conducting interviews and undertaking searches
• Manages people in police care or custody
• Engages with individuals and the community to identify police services options to support their needs

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Police Supervision (POL60118); Graduate Certificate in Police Management (POL80225); Diploma of Policing (POL50124)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $133,120 a year
• About 67,500 people work in this job group now, and about 74,900 are projected by 2035. (+11.1%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Defence Force Member - Other Ranks
• Emergency Services Officer
• Firefighter
• Border Enforcement Operations Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a General Duties Police Officer?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Police Supervision; Graduate Certificate in Police Management.

How much does a General Duties Police Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $133,120 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a General Duties Police Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 67,500 to about 74,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a General Duties Police Officer?

Not always. 30% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Police Supervision; Graduate Certificate in Police Management.

Will AI change the work of a General Duties Police Officer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04