Military Police
As a part-time Military Police member, you’ll provide commanders with an essential element of command and control through the application of the 4 main military police functions of Law Enforcement – Mobility and Manoeuvre Support, Security, Internment and Detention 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 and decision-making abilities, helping you lead a small team in both field and barracks environments.
What you'll do
There are 2 initial entry Military Police employment categories available for Army Reserve employment:
- Military Police - Law Enforcement - available to civilian police only
- Military Police - General Duties - available to all candidates who satisfy eligibility requirements.
While the roles and responsibilities do not vary, the training requirements are different due to civilian police member’s trade skills and their additional opportunities to have specialist skills recognised. Both employment categories provide essential Army capability in support to minor criminal investigations, domestically and internationally, and support to combat operations and exercises.
Your duties may include:
- assisting in the embarkation and disembarkation of the force
- 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 (prisoners of war (POWs))
- asset protection including buildings and critical infrastructure.
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.
The Army Reserve has units located all across Australia and offers you the flexibility to serve where you live. There are training locations in cities, small towns and regional areas. Even if there isn’t a unit close to you there may be other ways to serve. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
Part-time Military Police vacancies are currently restricted to applicants who reside within 90 minutes of Holsworthy, NSW; Warradale, SA; Karrakatta, WA; Watsonia, VIC; Enoggera, QLD; Townsville, QLD; or Darwin, NT.
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. For Reserve service, the maximum age to apply is 60 years, with a Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) of 65. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Reserves beyond the age of 61 years will need further assessment to ensure they can complete all pre-requisite training in their chosen field prior to reaching CRA.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
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.
Those who are current (or former on a case-by-case basis) serving Civilian Police who have completed Police training through a recognised federal, state or territory police academy are encouraged to apply to gain new skills to take back to their full-time role.
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.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence Reserve retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
Course: Army Reserve Recruit Course
Duration: 3 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 achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
You’ll need to complete this course within 6 months of enlisting.
Course: Military Police Initial Employment Training
Duration: 96 days
Location: Defence Force School of Policing in Holsworthy, NSW or unit location
The course consists of 3 main components - Military Police Common Phase, Military Police Investigations Course and Army Single Service Phase.
Initial Employment Training is delivered in 3 training modules, each between 28 and 36 days in length. A typical training week will be from Monday to Friday with some weekends required. Between each training module, you can parade at your local depot.
Military Police trainees will 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.
Military Police trainees must complete all 3 training modules within 24 months of completing Initial Military Training at Kapooka. Members attending the course will be required to live on base during training.
Military Police Law Enforcement - Civilian Law Enforcement only
If you are already qualified as a civilian police officer, this may be recognised by the Army Reserve, and you’ll undertake the following initial employment training:
Course: Military Police Jurisdiction Bridging Course (MPJBC)
Duration: 11 days
Location: Defence Force School of Policing in Holsworthy, NSW or unit location
The course consists of components and outcomes such as ADF Operational Safety Training, Speed Measuring Device Operator Course, Pistol qualification Recognition for Military Police Investigators Course eligible to civilian police. Of the 11 days, 3 days are distributed learning (home location) and 8 days continuous residential training.