How to compare a police salary offer by take-home pay

Why focus on take-home pay when comparing police salary offers

When you see a police salary advertised, the headline figure can be misleading. Your actual take-home pay – the amount that lands in your bank account each fortnight – depends on tax, the Medicare levy, and whether the salary is quoted as a base or a total package. This guide helps you cut through the numbers using the latest 2026–27 tax rates and real salary bands from the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.

Understanding the advertised police salary

Base salary vs total package

Most police job ads show a base salary before tax and super. For example, the AFP lists base salaries for police officers from $69,698 (recruit) to $84,597 (four years of service) . Victoria Police recruits start at $61,187 at the academy and progress to $90,399 as First Constable . These figures are before tax and do not include superannuation.

Superannuation is extra, not deducted

Employer super contributions (e.g., 15.4% for AFP, a different rate for Victoria Police) are paid on top of your base salary. They do not reduce your take-home pay. When comparing offers, always check if the salary is 'plus super' – that means you receive the full base amount and super is additional.

Tax and Medicare on police salary

Using the 2026–27 tax rates

Your police salary is taxed at the standard resident rates. For 2026–27:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) if your taxable income is below $66,667.

Medicare levy and thresholds

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but you may pay a reduced rate if your income is below certain thresholds. For a single person, the latest published thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your income is between these, you pay 10c per $1 over the lower threshold. Most full-time police officers earn above $35,013, so you will pay the full 2%.

Allowances and their tax treatment

Composite, use of force, shift penalties

Police officers often receive additional allowances. The AFP mentions a 22% composite and Use of Force allowance of $3,500 per year . Victoria Police pays shift penalties for intrusive and unsociable hours . These allowances are taxable income – they increase your gross pay and therefore your tax. However, they also boost your take-home amount.

How allowances affect take-home

Using the AFP example, a probationary officer with a base of $72,317 might earn average potential earnings of $91,727 including composite and UoF allowance. That extra $19,410 is taxed at your marginal rate (30% for most in that bracket), so the net gain is about $13,587 per year. Always consider the total taxable income when estimating take-home.

Comparing offers: AFP vs Victoria Police

AFP salary bands

The AFP provides clear incremental progression. A recruit (Band 2.3) earns $69,698 base. After graduation (Band 2.4) $72,317. After 12 months (Band 3.1) $75,233, and so on up to $84,597 at four years. Super is 15.4% on top. Use the Take-home pay tool to see the fortnightly amount after tax and Medicare.

Victoria Police salary progression

Victoria Police recruits start at $61,187 at the academy, then $84,060 as a Probationary Constable after 12 weeks, and $90,399 as First Constable after completing the Diploma of Policing. They also receive shift penalties and overtime. The enterprise agreement governs further increases.

Using the take-home pay calculator

To compare offers, enter the total taxable income (base plus expected allowances) into our Take-home pay calculator. It uses the 2026–27 tax rates and Medicare levy to show your annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly net pay. Remember to exclude super – it is not deducted from your salary.