ANZSCO 441312

Police Officers

Overview

EMPLOYED

55,400

PART-TIME SHARE

8%

FEMALE SHARE

29%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

N/A

MEDIAN AGE

41

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

N/A

About this data

Summary

Police Officers maintain public order, and enforce laws by investigating crimes, patrolling public areas and arresting suspected offenders.

Tasks

  • Investigates and prosecutes offences
  • Secures and examines crime and accident scenes to obtain evidence
  • Protects witnesses and investigates corruption
  • Maintains public order and safety
  • Patrols assigned areas to prevent public disturbance and crime
  • Investigates accidents, crimes, minor offences and citizens' complaints, gathering evidence, and pursuing, arresting and interviewing suspected offenders
  • Tests drivers suspected of using alcohol/other drugs and issues infringement notices for traffic offences
  • Directs and re-routes traffic at congested areas
  • Attends meetings and answers inquiries
  • Provides advice and assistance to crime victims and their families
  • Keeps records and prepares reports

ANZSCO Classification

Details

On this page

    Hours worked

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: those who were classified as "Employed, away from work" at the time of the 2021 Census (accounting for approx. 8% of total employment), have been excluded from the "Average full-time hours worked per week" denominator.
    Hours worked Police Officers All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 92% 64%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 43 hours 44 hours

    Industries

    Police Officers work in industries like:

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    28.2%

    Victoria

    26.0%

    Queensland

    20.1%

    South Australia

    7.7%

    Tasmania

    2.2%

    Northern Territory

    2.4%

    Australian Capital Territory

    2.2%

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age and Gender Police Officers All Occupations
    Median age 41 years 40 years
    Female share of employment 29% 49%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Police Officers
    15–19 5.2 0.2
    20–24 9.1 4.9
    25–34 22.7 27.1
    35–44 22.3 28.6
    45–54 20.4 28.7
    55–59 8.8 7.8
    60–64 6.5 2.2
    65 and Over 4.9 0.4

    Education

    Visit

    • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
    • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
    • Your Career to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study).
    Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
    Note: the sum of the educational attainment categories may not add up to 100% due to the exclusion of non-descriptive categories such as not stated responses.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Police Officers
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 6.5
    Bachelor degree 23.2 23.9
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 42.6
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 8.3
    Year 12 15.9 12.2
    Year 11 4.0 1.4
    Year 10 and below 9.7 1.3
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      Occupation profiles data

      This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

      Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      Occupation profiles data - November 2024.xlsx

      occupation_profiles_data_-_november_2024.xlsx946664

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      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.