A raft of new incentives, including $20,000 to pay off university HECs debts have skyrocketed the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) recruitment applications by over 200 per cent since this time last year.
With over 2,000 applicants currently in the recruitment pipeline, the QPS is seeing a record-breaking number of applicants, following the roll-out of the largest recruitment campaign in QPS history, Challenging, Rewarding, Policing.
Applicants have more than doubled since this time last year, with recruitment intakes for 2024 filling up fast in both the Brisbane and Townsville police academies.
This increase in QPS recruits supports the Government election commitment of an additional 2,025 police personnel by 2025.
University graduates seeking a challenging and rewarding career are being urged to consider a role in policing, as 400 successful applicants will receive up to $20,000 paid off their HECS debt for degrees in criminology, social work, counselling or other relevant human services upon graduating from the Academy.
Applicants who hold a tertiary degree may also be exempt from sitting the QPS Entrance Assessment.
There has never been a better time to join the QPS, with no application fees, free accommodation for recruits living at police academies, and an additional $183 fortnightly cost of living allowance. Recruits at QPS Academies will also receive a boosted training salary of approximately $53,700 per annum.
An influx of interest in joining the QPS has resulted in recruitment seminars filling up quickly, giving the public an opportunity to ask experienced police officers questions, as well as discussing entry requirements into the Service.
Minister Mark Ryan said the incentives to attract new recruits are skyrocketing the Queensland Police Service recruiting efforts.
“There are 20,000 reasons for university graduates with specified degrees to consider a career with the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“We are putting the call out to everyone who has a relevant degree to consider a challenging and rewarding career with the Queensland Police Service.”
Acting Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said there have been 215 recruits graduate from the Queensland Police Academy so far this year.
“It is incentives just like this that are delivering the right kind of applicants into the service,” he said.
“The record-breaking number of applications is a testament to the great incentives, combined with the assurance of a fulfilling career as a Queensland Police Service officer.
“Protecting our state is an important role, so recruiting people with the right skills, aptitude and attitude is critical and expected by the community.”
Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge said since the announcement of the new incentives, there have been the highest number of recruits in training in the Brisbane and Townsville police academies.
“Anyone with relevant degrees in criminology, social work, counselling or other relevant human services is encouraged to apply to the QPS, with eligible applicants receiving $20,000 paid off their HECS debt,” he said.
“A career in policing is a career like no other, and the incentives currently available to applicants will no doubt make the transition into policing easier.
“I encourage anyone considering a career with QPS to head to PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to learn more about our incentives, and to kickstart their Policing career.”
Head to PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to learn more about our incentives, and to kickstart your career with the QPS.
A career within the Queensland Police Service is like no other. From protecting, responding, and investigating, to supporting, rescuing and learning – the sheer variety of roles make it both a challenging and rewarding career.
As a police officer, you can have one career that has endless possibilities. Now really is the best time to join.
Visit PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au to kickstart your policing career and make a positive impact in your community.
