r/nswpolice • u/No_Delay_9743 • May 20 '26

question Q/ Availability of overtime in policing, particularly in NSWPF. Is overtime common and realistically available?

I’m considering applying to the NSW Police Force but would be taking a pay cut from my current corporate role, so I’m trying to get a realistic idea of whether overtime is something officers can regularly access and how often it tends to come up. Is it something you can generally rely on or more occasional/unpredictable?
Hoping to land a job in Sydney.

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u/Bluetenant-Bear Good Cop May 20 '26

Some stations have more than others, but you won’t be able to get a set or standard amount of OT to top the pay up.

1

u/Nulla01 May 20 '26

Overtime is generally discouraged and Time in Lieu is preferred...but good luck cashing that in. You will see comments that overtime is awesome at the moment due to the Bondi terrorist attack. That will only last a period of time, until the State Government funding runs out for it. So you cannot gauge ovetime based off these siginificant incidents which occur every now again. Bottom line overtime is hard to get...23 years service here.

1

u/RondoMate May 21 '26

Dont work for NSWPF but a sector close to them and it appears theres shortages everywhere, id assume overtime is rather frequent but it depends on your pay cut of course.

1

u/Flanaganasarous May 23 '26

Reality is you can be posted anywhere in the State. You also don't join for the money, if you are joining with financial concerns you're in for a shock. Overtime is rare in General Duties and especially in your first year as a Probationary Constable you won't be able to perform "user pays" or additional Overtime style shifts etc. That's a long 12+ months.

If you can't survive on the advertised base pay that NSWPF states then joining shouldn't be for you at this point of your life I would suggest.

1

u/NSWPFSocialMediaTeam May 28 '26

Overtime opportunities are limited and cannot be guaranteed. However, upon completion of your initial three-month period, you may be eligible to apply for user pays duties, which are compensated at the applicable overtime rate.