What is the starting salary for a NSW Police officer?

As of 2024, a Probationary Constable receives a loaded salary of around $88,169 per year, including allowances and some shift penalties. Under the new four-year agreement, this will rise to $97,206 by 2027. The salary is set by the Crown Employees (Police Officers – 2024) Award and an enterprise agreement.

How does the NSW Police salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026) is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults. A NSW Police Probationary Constable’s loaded weekly salary of about $1,695 is more than 68% higher. However, police are not covered by the national minimum wage – their legal minimum is the award rate, which is much higher.

Are NSW Police officers covered by the national minimum wage?

No. NSW Police officers are state public sector employees and are covered by the Crown Employees (Police Officers – 2024) Award and a separate enterprise agreement. The national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies to national-system employees, not to state police. The award sets their minimum rates, which are significantly above the national minimum.

NSW Police Salary: Award Rates, Agreements, and How They Compare to Minimum Wage

The starting loaded salary for a NSW Police Probationary Constable is approximately $88,169 per year, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

Understanding the NSW Police Salary

When researching an NSW Police salary, it is important to recognise that police officers in New South Wales are not covered by the national minimum wage. Instead, their pay is governed by the Crown Employees (Police Officers – 2024) Award and a recent enterprise agreement negotiated between the NSW Government and the Police Association. This guide explains the current salary structure, how it compares to the national minimum, and what other factors like superannuation mean for take-home pay.

The Legal Framework: Award and Agreement

NSW Police officers are state public sector employees. Their minimum pay rates come from the state award, not from the Fair Work Commission’s national minimum wage. The award sets salaries for each rank, along with allowances for special duties, operations, and shift work. In 2024, police officers voted overwhelmingly to accept a historic four-year pay deal that includes a 19% base pay increase for non-commissioned officers, accelerated pay scales, and improved allowances .

Current Starting Salaries

According to the NSW Police Force recruitment page, a Probationary Constable starts on a loaded annual salary of approximately $88,169, which includes allowances and some shift penalties . Under the new agreement, the starting salary (including loading) will increase from $81,517 to $84,777 and then to $97,206 by 2027. The award tables also show salaries for Constable levels, Detectives, and Commissioned Officers. For example, a Detective Level 1 earns a loaded salary of $93,370 per year from 1 July 2025 .

How It Compares to the National Minimum Wage

For context, the adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38 ordinary hours). A Probationary Constable’s loaded weekly salary of about $1,695 is well above that floor. However, it is important to note that the police figure includes allowances and shift penalties, whereas the national minimum is a base rate. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 per week, so the entry-level police salary sits below the national average for full-time workers.

Superannuation and Other Benefits

Employer superannuation contributions are paid on top of the salary. The super guarantee is currently 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a Probationary Constable earning $88,169, that means an additional $10,580 per year into their super fund. Police also receive up to six weeks of annual leave, 15 days of sick leave, long service leave, and access to salary packaging arrangements.

Casual Loading and Junior Rates Do Not Apply

Unlike many award-covered employees, NSW Police officers are not casual workers and do not receive casual loading. Junior rates (for under-21s) are not applicable because police recruits must be at least 18 and are paid the full adult rate from the start. The award also does not have introductory rates like some modern awards; the minimum for a Probationary Constable is set by the agreement.

What This Means for You

If you are considering a career in the NSW Police Force, the salary is competitive and significantly above the national minimum. However, remember that the figures quoted are loaded salaries – they include allowances that may vary depending on your posting and shifts. For a detailed breakdown of all ranks, refer to the award tables. For more information on how minimum wages work in Australia, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Key Takeaways

NSW Police salaries are set by a state award and enterprise agreement, not the national minimum wage.
The starting loaded salary for a Probationary Constable is about $88,169 per year, rising to over $97,000 by 2027.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the salary.
The police salary is above the national minimum but below the average full-time earnings.
Always check the latest award or agreement for the most current rates.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.