Applications to join Victoria Police have hit a seven-year high as the force ramps up its recruitment drive.
New figures reveal 9007 people applied to become a police officer between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, up from 7677 the previous year.
It is the highest number of applications since 2018-19, when 9799 applications were lodged.
One in four applicants was aged between 18 and 21.
Victoria Police is looking to build on the momentum with a new $1.8 million advertising campaign encouraging community-minded Victorians to consider a career in policing.
Called Put Yourself Forward, the campaign features people stepping up in everyday situations, showing the qualities Victoria Police is looking for.
Real police are featured.
The advertisements are screening on television statewide, as well as on radio, outdoor billboards and online.
The campaign has a particular focus on young Victorians and people considering a career change.
For the first time, students in their final year of high school can start their application while they are still 17.
Successful applicants will receive an offer to commence training once they turn 18, provided they hold a probationary driver's licence.
The pilot program supports young applicants through the recruitment process and encourages them to consider policing as a career.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush became a police officer straight out of high school.
The recruitment drive comes as Victoria Police works to fill the full-time equivalent of 1300 police vacancies.
Intake at the Victoria Police Academy has doubled, with an extra 650 recruits to enter training each year.
The first regional academy in Mildura will welcome recruits from January while a new 25-week training program is getting recruits to the frontline sooner.
Victoria Police is also cutting red tape so existing police can spend more time policing.
This includes recruiting 400 reservist positions to help with station counter duties and paperwork, freeing up around 16,000 policing hours each week.
The benefits of joining Victoria Police include paid training, nine weeks of paid leave a year and the opportunity to have multiple careers in one.
Probationary Constables receive a starting wage of $93,212 a year when baseline salary and core allowances are included, with further allowances, overtime and superannuation paid on top.
The initial phase of the Put Yourself Forward campaign will run until 31 March next year.
For more information about becoming a police officer, visit police.vic.gov.au/police.
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush:
"We're looking for people who are prepared to step up, serve their community and help keep Victorians safe.
"There are few careers where you can make such a real difference in people's lives, often when they need you most.
"It's encouraging to see applications at a seven-year high, but we need to keep that momentum going and get more police on to the frontline.
"That's why we're creating more opportunities to join, whether you're finishing school, changing careers or have thought about policing for years.
"I became a police officer straight out of high school and it's a decision that has given me a career unlike any other. I want young Victorians to know policing is an option for them too.
"We're growing our academy, taking police training into regional Victoria and cutting red tape so our existing police can spend more time doing the job they signed up for.
"If you've ever thought about a career in policing, now is the time to put yourself forward."
