Fitness Test Guidelines to Be a Police Officer in Australia
Tasmania Police Fitness Guidelines
Recruiting Services will conduct a Fitness Test at Tasmania Police Academy, South Arm Road, Rokeby. Tasmania Police now use the Traffic Light System when assessing applicants. The tests are separated into two categories: performance and health measures.
For each test, you can score green, orange or red. Where an 'ideal' applicant passes with a green score on all the tests. If you score one more orange in one category you would pass with 'good'. If one or more orange are in both categories it could be 'suitable' applicant. If you score red for any of the tests, then this would be a failure of the fitness standard.
The 20m Multistage Fitness Test (Beep Test) (Performance)
The dreaded beep test. You may have done this at school, this test is a test of your stamina and fitness that include short intervals of running. Looking for above 9.01 for green.
Hand-release Press Push Up to Cadence (Performance)
From lying flat on their stomach, to bring arms in and doing a push up, and then back to starting position, to a cadence of 3 sec up to 40 reps.
- Males and Females require 30 plus reps for green.
Plank (Performance)
For green would be to last in the plank postion for longer or equal to 120 seconds.
The Illinois Agility Test (Performance)
This test is not so easy and requires practice even for those that feel like they will have it covered.
- Males and Females need to complete the test in 20 seconds for green.
Broad Jump (Performance)
A green score would be above 165 for men and above 105. The score is body weight (kg) x jump (m).
BMI (Health)
The assessment tool is your Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a value derived from the mass and height of a person. Here is a tool to help you calculate your BMI. Body Mass index in green required to be eligible to join is for both males and females to have a BMI between 18.5-29.9.
Waist Measurement (Health)
A measuring tape around their midsection with not clothes in the way, for green is:
- Males must have no more than 0.94.
- Females must have no more than 0.80.
Grip Strength (Health)
Grip strength is used to measure the combined gripping strength of the hands that is needed to fire weapons, apply restraints, and control violent offenders. The following is needed for green.
- Males must obtain a minimum score of 50 on each hand.
- Females must obtain a minimum score of 30 on each hand.
Blood Pressure (Health)
And the final test is a Blood Pressure reading, which will be obtained by the applicant's GP during their medical assessment (post interview stage).
Queensland Police Service (QPS) Fitness Guidelines
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has four different stages to their testing. QPS conduct a physical skills test at the Queensland Police Service Academy at four different stages. They also call these 'gates'.
Gate One
- 90 Second Prone Bridge Test (also known as the "plank") – This is a true test of your core strength. You may be left shaking after 90 seconds of this if you have not performed this exercise before.
- Push-ups – 10 push-ups less strict than Tasmania no time limit.
- Beep Test – For entry-level for the academy you need to be Level C (minimum), and exiting the academy need to at Level B (minimum), See levels below.
| Age | 18-29 | 30-39 | 40+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Level A (>9.4) Level B (9.3 - 8.6) Level C (8.5 - 7.8) | Level A (>8.5) Level B (8.4 - 7.10) Level C (7.9 - 7.1) | Level A (>7.7) Level B (7.6 - 7.1) Level C (6.10 - 6.3) |
| Female | Level A (>7.5) Level B (7.4 - 6.10) Level C (6.9 - 6.3) | Level A (>7.1) Level B (6.10 - 6.5) Level C (6.4 - 5.6) | Level A (>6.5) Level B (6.4 - 5.7) Level C (5.6 - 5.1) |
Gate Two
- Urban Environmental Simulator (obstacle course) - This obstacle course is designed to replicate the urban environment comprised of 13 obstacles to test your speed and agility and reflexes.
Gate Three
- Urban Environmental Simulator (obstacle course)
- Beep Test
Gate Four
- You’re not done yet with push-ups and plank. You have to repeat Gate One: 90 Seconds Prone Bridge, 10 Push-up, Beep Test.
- Complete a Body Drag - This is designed as part of the police’s role may be to drag an unconscious victim.
Australian Federal Police (ACT) Fitness Guidelines
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Policing is considered the community arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). To complete the required fitness tests, you must obtain an AFP medical certificate beforehand. The Entry Physical Competency Assessment is required to evaluate what applicants are capable of.
The tests include three exercises:
- The beep test - A score is required for 6.5 and above.
- Push-up test – Males at least 15 push-ups, females 8 push-ups – no time frame.
- Phased Sit-ups – Level 4 score and above.
Fitness Guidelines for the WA Police
Western Australia (WA) testing is slightly different to other states but still has the same exercises, just with different names. They call their fitness test the police physical evaluation (PPE). This will demonstrate that you meet the baseline standard to then complete the 28-week Recruit Training Program at the WA Police Academy.
Here is a snapshot of the test below. More info can be found on their PPE fact sheet:
- 20-metre multistage beep test
- Modified Illinois agility test
- Abdominal strength test (sit-up)
- Push-up test
- Grip strength assessment
- Bag lift and carry
New South Wales Police Force
The New South Wales Police Force has much of the same as all the other police forces with the addition of a vertical jump test.
- Grip Strength – 30kg in each hand.
- Prone Hold – 90-second plank test.
- Vertical Jump – 30cm or greater, measures how high the applicant can jump that is used to measure power and lower body strength.
- Push-ups – 25 push-ups for both males and females. Only 1 attempt here pretty tough compared with other states.
- Illinois Agility Test – As mentioned previously 20 seconds or less, two attempts.
- Beep Test – You must reach a score of at least 7.1 in just one attempt.
Victoria Police Fitness Guidelines
Victoria Police has most of the tests are the same as all other states with the addition of an obstacle climb and swim test.
There are 7 components to the assessment:
- Grip Strength – 30kg each hand
- 5 push-ups (easiest of all states 😉)
- Prone Bridge Test – 60 seconds usually required 90 seconds in other states)
- Obstacle Climb – new addition different to other states. 1.3m obstacle that you must safely get over. Only 1 attempt allowed.
- Beep Test – See diagram above each applicant must meet at least level 5.1 and above.
- Illinois Agility Test – 9.14m x 4.16m course under 20 seconds. The starting point is lying on your stomach.
- Swim Test – 100m required in under 4 minutes. Any stoke can be used. Feet not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool and you are not allowed to hold onto any lane attachments.
Northern Territory Police Fitness
The hardest testing of all police forces is in the Northern Territory.
Weighted vest run - Complete obstacle course in 2 minutes and 40 seconds wearing 10kg vest.
- 70kg dummy drag - the applicant must drag a 70kg dummy for 15 meters.
- The balance beam two meters long test requires applicants to walk down a two-meter-long beam without stepping off.
- The simulated curb huddle involves running and stopping to step over tire stops.
- Step-ups a series of steps up onto a 30cm box the test is aimed at testing your ability to climb stairs.
South Australia Police
Last up is South Australia Police. This test is similar to Northern Territory for the duration of the test you wear a 10-kg weighted vest and complete a series of actions for time. The test will assess your endurance, strength and speed so make sure you train for it properly.
You will be required to perform the following tasks:
- running 80 meters,
- running 25 meters while carrying two 15 kg weights,
- doing 20 step-ups,
- climbing over a one-meter fence,
- dropping to your stomach five times, and
- collecting a training firearm and triggering it 13 times with each hand.
- crossing a slippery balance beam.
Before beginning the test, you will be given 5 different physical characteristics of a person that you must remember and state 3 times during the test. These features may be ethnicity, height, eye colour etc. The whole test you must complete under 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Police Fitness Guides Summary
That covers all the different states, and I would have to say Northern Territory takes it out for being the hardest testing. The beauty of this testing is you can give it a go with minimal equipment or challenge your family to it to change things up.
Stay tuned for more tips on how to train, eat and get your body in a position to enter the police force.
For further information access each state government police website for further specifics and helpful links to help you get there.
Ben Disseldorp
