Police salary in Australia: gross pay, super, and tax compared to the national line

What is a police salary in Australia?

When people ask about a police salary, they usually want to know how much a police officer earns in gross pay, how superannuation and tax affect take-home income, and where that figure sits against the national line. This guide uses the most current public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work Ombudsman, and Jobs and Skills Australia to give a clear picture.

Police officers in Australia are employed by state and territory police forces, not under a single federal award. Their pay is set by state industrial relations bodies or enterprise agreements. That means a police salary can vary by jurisdiction, rank, and years of service. However, a reliable national benchmark comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which Jobs and Skills Australia reports as a median weekly figure.

Police salary compared to the national line

The Salary Index uses a base of 100 to represent full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. For police, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,560, according to Jobs and Skills Australia data from May 2025. That gives a salary index of approximately 123 — meaning the typical police officer earns about 23% more than the national average full-time worker.

To put that in perspective, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). A police officer’s median weekly pay is more than double that. Even compared to other public-sector roles, police sit above the Education and training industry index of 105.5 and the Health care and social assistance index of 97.8.

Gross pay breakdown

Using the median weekly figure of $2,560, the annual gross police salary is about $133,120. This is before any overtime, allowances, or penalty rates. Police often work an average of 43 hours per week (95% work full-time), so overtime can push earnings higher. Allowances such as shift penalties, firearm allowances, and regional loadings are common. For example, a police officer in remote Western Australia may receive additional payments that lift their gross pay well above the median.

It’s important to note that the median figure excludes managers and part-time workers. Senior officers like detectives or sergeants earn more. The ANZSCO classification for Police (4413) includes Detectives (441311) and Police Officers (441312). The median earnings data is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which gives a fair representation of the typical officer.

Superannuation on police salary

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a police officer earning $133,120, the employer must contribute $15,974.40 per year into their super fund. This is on top of the gross salary. Some state police forces may have additional employer contributions under their enterprise agreements, but the 12% is the legal minimum.

Super is not included in the salary index figure, which is based on gross ordinary-time earnings only. When considering total remuneration, a police officer’s package including super is worth about $149,094.

Tax on police salary

Resident tax rates for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) are:

• Nil up to $18,200
• 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy on taxable income. For a gross police salary of $133,120, the tax calculation is approximately:

• First $18,200: $0
• Next $26,800 (to $45,000): $4,020
• Next $88,120 (to $133,120): $26,436
• Total tax: $30,456
• Medicare levy: $2,662
• Total tax and Medicare: $33,118
• Take-home pay: about $100,002

This is a rough estimate ignoring the tax-free threshold, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Actual take-home will vary.

State variations in police salary

Police salaries differ by state. The states page shows that the overall state salary index ranges from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. Police pay often reflects local cost of living and bargaining outcomes. For example, New South Wales employs 28.6% of all police, Victoria 23.3%, and Queensland 7.4%. The median national figure smooths out these differences. A first-year constable in NSW might start around $80,000, while a senior officer in the ACT could earn over $150,000.

Where to find official police pay rates

Because police are not under a single federal award, the best sources are state industrial relations websites or enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides cover many awards but not police specifically. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes some security-related awards but not state police. For authoritative rates, check the relevant state police website or the state industrial relations commission.

Summary

A police salary in Australia is well above the national average, with a median index of about 123. Gross weekly earnings of $2,560 translate to $133,120 annually. Adding 12% super brings total remuneration to nearly $150,000. After tax and Medicare, take-home pay is roughly $100,000. These figures are a guide; actual pay depends on rank, location, and experience. For more comparisons, see the Salary Index homepage or explore how the index works.