Military Police
As a Military Police member, you'll conduct a range of roles including Law Enforcement, Mobility and Manoeuvre Support, Internment and Detention and Security Operations. You’ll maintain the law and provide specialist security across a variety of ADF activities including high-threat situations. Once trained, you’ll conduct general policing tasks within field, barracks and operational environments.
You'll develop a set of unique policing skills and world-class training in law enforcement and security. While this military policing capability cannot be transferred into a state or federal police qualification, it will build your confidence, decision making abilities and help you lead a small team in both field and barracks environments.
What you'll do
In this high-tempo policing role, you’ll uphold law and order and could progress from General Duties policing to enhance your career by specialising as a dog handler, working in forensics or becoming a tactical bodyguard. Your role may involve accessing sensitive personal information as part of your police duties, including investigations. Military Police are expected to enforce the law whilst maintaining high professional standards and integrity at all times.
You'll have the opportunity to connect with Indigenous cultures, communicate across cultural barriers and interact with the local community. Not many jobs can give you the sense of pride that comes from serving your country and providing support to communities in need, both here and overseas. If you're after great benefits, strong friendships and a law enforcement job that makes a real difference, this role is for you.
Your duties may include:
- assisting with the control and coordination of military force movement
- reconnaissance, traffic control and security of the Military Road network
- policing patrols in support of crime prevention and deterrence activities
- emergency and incident response
- maintenance of general law and order
- lawful collection and processing of captured personnel (POWs)
- asset protection including buildings and critical infrastructure.
Military Police is a combat support role, however it's fast-paced and will position you close to the action.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
Once you have honed your policing skills through a General Duties role, you may have the opportunity to transfer to an ADF unit where you’ll operate alongside the Navy and Air Force. This role involves enforcement, investigation and discipline maintenance within an ADF barracks environment.
You can go on to receive specialist training and education in the following fields.
- Australian Defence Force Investigators (ADFI) - conduct high level police investigations, both domestically and internationally, work with civilian investigative authorities and even apply trained forensic skills to collect evidence.
- Military Working Dog Handling - partner with a highly trained Military Police Dog to undertake a range of tasks such as tracking, crowd control and the apprehension of threats.
- Close Protection (CP) - provide close tactical protection to VIPs - these are the personal bodyguards of the Army.
Each specialisation involves comprehensive training and is offered based on individual preference, suitability and Army capability requirements.
Once you’ve completed your Initial Employment Training (IET), you’ll receive a Certificate IV in Government Investigations.
Additional qualifications that may be awarded on completion of specialist courses include a:
- Diploma in Government Investigations - awarded on completion of additional investigational and managerial training.
- Diploma of Forensic Investigations - awarded on completion of the specialist course in crime scene examinations.
You’ll initially be employed in the 1st Military Police Battalion. Subsequent postings are based upon the service need, career development needs and individual preferences.
You could also serve in the ADF and Special Operations units in Australia and overseas as Military Police are employed in support of most major bases within Australia. Primary employment locations on completion of Initial Employment Training (IET) are Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville. After gaining experience you may have the opportunity to serve in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney as well as regional locations across Australia.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: Military Police Initial Employment Training
Duration: 5 months
Location: Defence Force School of Policing, Holsworthy, NSW
Your training has 3 main training components: Military Police Common phase, Military Police Investigations Course and Army Single Service Phase.
You’ll be taught Operational Safety Skills, Speed Measuring Device, Self-Loading Pistol and Investigative procedures. On successful completion of the course, you’ll be awarded a Certificate IV in Government Investigations. Throughout your career, you will also have the opportunity to develop your skills with specialist training.