Joint media release with the Hon Mark Ryan MP and Katarina Carroll APM
The Albanese Labor Government is supporting the Palaszczuk Government to deliver more police on Queensland's streets, keeping local communities safe and secure.
Under a new labour agreement signed by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is now able to sponsor up to 500 new Queensland police officers per year through the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
Over 15,000 expressions of interest have been received by the QPS from skilled police officers all around the world, with the most interest received from the UK, Canada and South Africa.
There are over 300 active applicants in the pipeline to be finalised with the first job offers for the October intake to be made this week.
The Albanese Government is delivering on its promise to resolve skills shortages through Australia's migration program, making strong progress to clear the backlog the Liberal and National Party left of almost one million visas. Labor has brought down wait times and is working in a tripartite manner to deliver labour agreements.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP
"This is a great example of the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to a migration system that works in the interest of all Australians.
"Peter Dutton removed police officers from the skilled occupation priority list. The Albanese Government is working to undo his mess.
"We're working with the Queensland Government to deliver more police on Queensland streets, helping support the safety and security of Queenslanders.
"Alongside efforts to get through the backlog of almost one million visas left by the Liberals, this Government is committed to working with employers, government and unions on labour agreements that address skills shortages across the country."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Corrective Services, the Hon Mark Ryan MP
"The Palaszczuk government is making the biggest investment in police in Queensland in more than three decades to deliver more than 2,000 extra police personnel and the targeting of international recruits is an important part of that investment.
"The agreement with the Albanese Government affords the Queensland Police Service the opportunity to take advantage of its international reputation as a truly world-class police service, and attract overseas officers.
"This is a unique opportunity for people across the globe to join a world class organisation.
"And an unprecedented opportunity for the Queensland Police Service to significantly expand the diversity of its workforce.
"I call that a win-win."
Quotes attributable to Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service, Katarina Carroll APM
"There is no better time to apply to be a police officer in Queensland.
"The QPS is doing everything possible to attract and recruit the right people in a very tight labour market.
"Thanks to the new labour agreement, we are now able to attract experienced officers from any country and bring their own unique experiences, knowledge and skills into our organisation.
"This is the biggest opportunity that we have offered for international police, and it has already been so successful."
