SA Police Officer vs Victoria Police Officer: which career suits you?
SAPOL's written hurdle is narrower: the SAPOL Recruitment Test through TAFE SA checks reading and writing only (60% in each), after spelling and numeracy were removed on 14 April 2025, and degree holders can be exempt. Victoria Police's entrance exam has four sections, including numeracy and abstract reasoning, and allows only one re-sit before an exclusion period. If maths and abstract reasoning are your weak spots, Victoria needs more preparation; for SAPOL, focus on reading accuracy and clear writing, and train for the fit-for-duty test in a 10 kg vest.
SA Police Officer vs Victoria Police Officer at a glance
| SA Police Officer | Victoria Police Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | South Australia Police (SAPOL) Officer (Cadet to Probationary Constable) | Victoria Police Officer (Recruit to Constable) |
| Questions | SAPOL Recruitment Test (TAFE SA): Reading and Writing components (spelling and numeracy were removed from 14 April 2025). SAPOL does not publish the number of questions. Separately, remote IQ and personality profile testing, format not published | Victoria Police Entrance Exam (ACER), four components: Literacy 30 questions, Abstract reasoning 45 questions, Numeracy 30 questions (onscreen calculator) and Report writing (one typed report of about 300 to 350 words) |
| Time | Not published by SAPOL or TAFE SA | 2 hours in total: Literacy 30 min, Abstract reasoning 20 min, Numeracy 35 min, Report writing 35 min |
| Passing score | 60% in Reading and 60% in Writing on the SAPOL Recruitment Test. No published pass mark for the IQ and personality testing; results feed a selection board, and passing every test does not guarantee selection | Scaled scores: 105 or more in Literacy, Numeracy and Abstract reasoning and 107 or more in Report writing ('Standard met' on every component). You may re-sit failed components once; if you fail the re-sit an exclusion period applies |
| Format | Our practice questions cover the reading, writing and reasoning skills SAPOL tests. They are original practice items, not real SAPOL or TAFE SA questions. Exemptions from the Recruitment Test apply for degree, diploma, ATAR 65+ and some police, emergency service, ADF and public sector backgrounds | Computer-based. Numeracy has an onscreen calculator. In Report writing there is no spell check, grammar check, dictionary, cut and paste or formatting; a word count is shown. ACER warns that only ACER and Victoria Police material is official, and there are no past papers |
| Cost | SAPOL does not publish a fee for the Recruitment Test on its recruitment pages; check with the Recruiting Section when invited. Eligible country and interstate recruits receive a cost-of-living allowance (currently $4,531.28) on starting at the Academy | $284 (incl. GST) paid to ACER for the exam; re-sits $135 for one component, $191 for two, $284 for three or more. You also pay for travel, your medical, hearing and vision reports and a first aid certificate. ACER's Practise Now book is $48 and its online practice tests $77 for the set |
| Languages | English | English |
| Where | Online eligibility assessment form (treated as an expression of interest); SAPOL Recruitment Test delivered by TAFE SA, in person or online at a time of your choice; IQ and personality profile testing done remotely; panel interview in Adelaide or by Microsoft Teams for interstate and rural applicants; medical through the SAPOL Police Medical Section or a referred provider | Online application through the Victoria Police careers portal; entrance exam run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), online with remote proctoring or in person at Camberwell; fitness test at the Victoria Police Academy, Glen Waverley; online psychological evaluation; medical by your own GP and specialists |
| Level | Police | Police |
What each exam covers
SA Police Officer
- The Job and Eligibility
- SAPOL Recruitment Test: Reading
- SAPOL Recruitment Test: Writing
- IQ (Cognitive) and Personality Profile Testing
- Fit for Duty Test and Medical
- Panel Interview and SAPOL Qualities
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- Academy Training and Probation
Victoria Police Officer
- The Job and Eligibility
- Literacy (Reading Comprehension)
- Numeracy
- Abstract Reasoning
- Report Writing
- Fitness Test, Psychological Screening and Medical
- Background Checks and the Panel Interview
- Application Strategy, Academy and First Years
Which should you take?
SAPOL's written hurdle is narrower: the SAPOL Recruitment Test through TAFE SA checks reading and writing only (60% in each), after spelling and numeracy were removed on 14 April 2025, and degree holders can be exempt. Victoria Police's entrance exam has four sections, including numeracy and abstract reasoning, and allows only one re-sit before an exclusion period. If maths and abstract reasoning are your weak spots, Victoria needs more preparation; for SAPOL, focus on reading accuracy and clear writing, and train for the fit-for-duty test in a 10 kg vest.
Try both, free
Each free practice test takes about 10 minutes and shows your score by topic. No signup.
FAQ
What is the difference between SA Police Officer and Victoria Police Officer?
SAPOL's written hurdle is narrower: the SAPOL Recruitment Test through TAFE SA checks reading and writing only (60% in each), after spelling and numeracy were removed on 14 April 2025, and degree holders can be exempt. Victoria Police's entrance exam has four sections, including numeracy and abstract reasoning, and allows only one re-sit before an exclusion period. If maths and abstract reasoning are your weak spots, Victoria needs more preparation; for SAPOL, focus on reading accuracy and clear writing, and train for the fit-for-duty test in a 10 kg vest.
Which is harder, SA Police Officer or Victoria Police Officer?
SA Police Officer: sapol recruitment test (tafe sa): reading and writing components (spelling and numeracy were removed from 14 april 2025). sapol does not publish the number of questions. separately, remote iq and personality profile testing, format not published in not published by sapol or tafe sa. Victoria Police Officer: victoria police entrance exam (acer), four components: literacy 30 questions, abstract reasoning 45 questions, numeracy 30 questions (onscreen calculator) and report writing (one typed report of about 300 to 350 words) in 2 hours in total: literacy 30 min, abstract reasoning 20 min, numeracy 35 min, report writing 35 min. The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both SA Police Officer and Victoria Police Officer?
You can usually apply to more than one agency at the same time, and many candidates do. You can only work in one full-time role at once, though, and each agency runs its own tests, checks and merit list, so plan your preparation around the test you'll sit first.
How do I prepare for SA Police Officer and Victoria Police Officer?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (A$89 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
More comparisons
Exam details are summarized from the recruiting agency's published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting agency before you book. AusGovCareer is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.