Police Career Transition

Mell: My decision

From the age of five years Mell was drawn to action – her favourite character on TV was a female police officer.

Dave: Moving forward

Dave was a NSW Police Force Officer for 12 years before he sustained an injury that lead to his medical retirement.

Job Ready

Former officers have many skills and characteristics that are highly valued by employers and recruiters.

Success Stories

These stories demonstrate that former officers overcome challenges and find fulfilling roles in new careers.

Understanding your finances

The following information relates to sworn Police Officers only as they are considered exempt workers in the Workers Compensation Act 1987 No 70. If you are an administrative employee of NSW Police, please see the SIRA claims management guide or consult your Case Manager regarding your benefits.

Workers compensation exists to help you recover from work-related injury by supporting access to and payment of required medical treatments and supporting your income if your capacity to work is negatively impacted by your injury.

Benefits and entitlements change as your situation changes and may be provided by different organisations over the duration of your claim.

Attend a webinar to find out more about your financial benefits

Gain an understanding of your financial benefits and entitlements under the workers compensation and income protection schemes.

The More than a Cop Police Career Transition After Injury Virtual Seminar includes a range of presentations from keynote speakers on the topic of career transition. Join from anywhere, anytime. Partners and support people are welcome too.

The Understanding your Financial Benefits session will explain:

Who will be providing these payments as your situation changes
Detailed explanation on how your benefits are calculated
Support services available to assit you throughout your transition and beyond
Lived experience connected to the importance of being financially prepared

For more information please email the Police Transition Team at policetransition@police.nsw.gov.au or call the Career Transition Infoline 1800 014 140

Benefits and entitlements scenarios

The following information outlines the benefits paid under different scenarios and how to ensure you receive your entitlements as seamlessly as possible.

Workers compensation entitlements while employed by NSWPF

While you are employed by NSWPF, you are paid by NSWPF as normal and workers compensation benefits you receive are reimbursed to NSWPF by EML.

Workers compensation entitlements after medical retirement from NSWPF

Following confirmation of your medical retirement date and cessation of your employment by NSWPF your weekly benefits will be paid to you fortnightly by EML.

Completing and returning the below forms to your case manager will assist in making this change easier.

Please complete and return these forms to your case manager:

The amount that you will be paid following medical retirement will depend on the value and length of payments made to you prior to your medical retirement.

The information in “Your entitlements” provides general advice on the entitlements that may be available to you depending on your capacity for work.

To obtain an accurate indication of your individual entitlements, please speak to your Case Manager.

Secure your financial future

Prepare your finances for life after medical retirement, including budgeting and superannuation.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's MoneySmart service helps people make the most of their money. The site offers a range of useful tools and resources including:

MoneySmart Cars app to find out how much a car will really cost you
Budget planner
Mortgage calculator
Financial advice toolkit to find and prepare to meet with a financial adviser

There are numerous free and paid apps available to help manage your finances, understand where your money is going and manage savings goals. You can search for these and download from both the App store or Google Play.

For Police Officers who are still employed by NSWPF or had your last day of service less than 12 months ago, you can benefit from Converge Employee Assistance Program.

Their Money Assist service can help you work through your financial wellbeing concerns. Phone 1300 667 197 or visit their website for more information.

Superannuation

Superannuation is not payable while an employee is on workers compensation. If you wish to continue contributions to your fund this will have to be arranged independently between you and your superannuation provider.

Your entitlements

The following information provides general advice on the entitlements that may be available to NSW Police Officers depending on their capacity for work.

No capacity for work

You have had your last day of service with NSW Police and you remain certified as having no capacity for work.

Capacity for work outside of NSW Police

You are unable to return to work with NSW Police, however your treatment providers have certified you as having some capacity for work outside of the NSWPF.

Working in a new career

General advice on the entitlements that may be available to NSW Police Officers transitioning to working new career.

Earning Capacity Assessment

An Earning Capacity Assessment is performed to determine the appropriate weekly pay rate for a worker whose circumstances are described in Section 40A of the 1987 Act.

Hear from former officers as they share their career transition stories.

Managing finances - FAQs

These frequently asked questions (FAQs) are related to managing finances as part of the resources and information available for NSW Police Officers transitioning to a new career.

Learn about your transferrable skills

You have acquired some very effective and desirable capabilities throughout your service with NSW Police. The skillset that a Police Officer develops is desirable for both public and private employers.

The following outlines some capabilities and what this looks like in the workplace aligned to different ranks. You may find this useful in considering how to apply your skillset to a new role outside of the Police Force.

What options do I have for future work?

Constable / Senior Constable capabilities guide

Your useful Constables / Senior Constables capabilities guide to help you apply your skillset to a new role outside of the Police Force.

Sergeant capabilities guide

Your useful Sergeants capabilities guide to help you apply your skillset to a new role outside of the Police Force.

Constable/Senior Constable transferrable skills summary

A guide to the transferrable skills of a Constable and Senior Constable.

Sergeant transferrable skills summary

A guide to the transferrable skills of a Sergeant.

NSW Government Jobs

Understand how your current police rank or role aligns to NSW Government job grades.

The NSW Government has approximately 400,000 ongoing, temporary and casual employees to develop policy and deliver NSW services. NSW public sector roles are graded. Each grade forms the basis for a job's pay (also referred to as 'remuneration') and its key accountabilities.

Remember to consider all your skills and experience gained before, during and since leaving the organisation when using the guide.

Select an option for the public sector equivalent grade to police ranks or roles:

Rank to grade guide

Find the public sector equivalent grade for any rank in NSWPF.

Role to grade guide

Find the public sector equivalent grade for any role title in NSWPF.

Search for NSW Government jobs

Browse thousands of job opportunities across the public sector, filter your search to identify opportunities that match your desired grade.

The benefits of employing a former NSW Police Officer

Officers of NSW Police are loyal, with many officers envisioning their whole career would be with the Police force. They bring with them, this same loyalty to a new employer. Former NSW Police officers act constructively in highly pressured and unpredictable environments and model ethical behaviour.

Prospective employer guide

A guide for prospective employers on a former NSW Police officer's transferrable skills that would benefit any organisation.

Support services

There are numerous options available to support you regardless of what stage in your rehabilitation you are at. Transitioning officers generally require support in line with one of the following pathways:

WELLNESS SUPPORT

Getting and staying well is about being in good health, connecting with family, being actively engaged in treatment and working towards having a healthy and fulfilling life.

CAREER TRANSITION SUPPORT

Career transition support includes identifying transferrable skills, exploring education and training and identifying meaningful work options.

We have worked hard to identify quality support services that are fit for purpose regardless of which pathway you feel you are on.

Please take the time to review the information provided below and speak to your EML Case Manager for more information.

Career Management Services

Career Management Services (CMS) are one of Australia’s leading career transition specialists for police and emergency services members. This team of highly experienced professionals possess extensive industry knowledge and expertise to support you in making a change to a rewarding, alternative career outside of law enforcement. CMS recognise your unique skills and competencies, and offer a wide range of services, specifically designed to support transitioning to opportunities outside of law enforcement and to suit your individual needs.

CMS will make the process easy – from helping you to identify a future satisfying career pathway where you can utilise your strengths, to supporting you with effective job search strategies and the practical support you need to ensure you land your next dream job. With results three times the industry average, their team of dedicated consultants and coaches, will help you with the next steps in your career to give you the employability edge and confidence to achieve your goals.

Career transition and development services

Career Coaching – career exploration, guidance, counselling and planning
Professionally written resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles
Job application support - addressing key selection criteria and written capability statements
Interview coaching and preparation
Job search strategies and job seeking support
Psych testing preparation

Career Management Services - brochure

Click here to learn how CMS can help you get into a new, rewarding career.

Career Management Services - website

Find useful resources and learn more about how CMS can help you with career transition.

College For Law, Education And Training (CLET) - RTO #31254

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Outlines qualifications mapped to the ranks within Police to assists with transferable skills
Qualifications can be provided prior to last date of service
Provides confidence & clear vocational options

CLET - brochure

Learn more about CLET's RPL process and how it helps police transition with more confidence.

CLET - website

Click here to see how the College for Law, Education and Training (CLET) can assist you with converting your work history into qualifications.

EXPHYS®

Mental wellbeing program

Experienced, mental health exercise physiologists
Flexible, convenient and comfortable environment – home, outdoor, park, gymnasium, or pool
Unlock the natural medicine cabinet of the brain
Focus on the holistic physical and mental wellbeing interlink
Build confidence to achieve your meaningful health and life goals
Integrate elements of diet, sleep, mindfulness – based off your preferences
Collaborates with other members of your support team
Digital telehealth services are also available

EXPHYS® - website

Learn more about the EXPHYS® mental wellbeing program.

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise rehab

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation are a team of vibrant professionals with the utmost standard of care delivered to all clientele, and an unwavering level of exceptional service provided to all customers and stakeholders.

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation provides prescription of therapeutic exercise and is a very keen believer-in community-based exercise-rehabilitation to ensure independence and convenience in completion during programming, and autonomy into the long-term - ultimately ensuring durability with outcomes and self-efficacy for clients.

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation abides by the five principles outlined in the Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services:

Measure and demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment
Adopt a biopsychosocial approach
Empower the injured person to manage their injury
Implement goals focused on optimising function, participation and return to work
Base treatment on best available research evidence

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation - brochure

Learn more about exercise rehabilitation with Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation.

Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation - website

Click here to find useful resources and learn more about Guardian Exercise Rehabilitation’s services.

Kookaburra Kids

Family support

Supporting children whose parents are suffering with mental illness
Education on parent’s injury
Provides children with a support network

Kookaburra Kids - website

Learn more about how the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation supports kids living in families affected by mental illness.

Support for Injured Police Officers' Children

EML assists children of injured NSW Police officers through an 18-month sponsorship of Kookaburra Kids.

Peak Conditioning

Activity based prescription program

Designed to help people suffering from chronic & mental health injuries
Encourage to become participants in their lives
Evidence based strategies
Biopsychosocial model

Peak Conditioning - brochure

Learn more about Peak Conditioning's activity based prescription program.

Peak Conditioning - website

Click here to learn more about Peak Conditioning’s recovery and wellness services.

Pinnacle Rehab – Health at Home

Health at Home

Health at Home is a program designed to offer support following an inpatient stay in hospital. The aim of the program is to make sure that when discharged from hospital, the right support is provided to ensure everything needed is available to allow you to return to health, return to life and engage back in your community.

Our experienced Health at Home consultants engage with you, and your treatment team, to understand all the goals of discharge
Support provided to you and your support network, in ensuring the goals are achievable and understanding the individual needs
Collaborative support through treatment team, engaging you and your chosen support network
Development of a Discharge Action Plan to ensure a clear pathway for your return home and back to health
Weekly support to encourage returning to health at home, and encouraging development of personal routine and engagement in the community.

Health at Home Brochure (Worker)

Health at Home is a program designed to offer support following an inpatient stay in hospital.

Pinnacle Rehab’s E-Book (HAH page)

Health at Home - the aim of the program is to make sure that when you leave care, you have everything you need to stay well.

Prestige Health Services Australia (PHSA)

Prestige Health Services Australia

Active wellbeing program

Assigned a Wellbeing Specialist
Taking first steps to return to health at home and in the community
Develop a wellness action plan tailored to needs and wants
Working with their treaters

Prestige Health - active wellbeing program brochure

Click here to learn more about the active wellbeing program.

Prestige Health Services Australia - website

PHSA provides solutions to support individuals with injury, illness or disability to achieve health, social and vocational goals.

Procare

Engage Transitional Services is a voluntary support program designed for NSW Police Officers who are transitioning or who have transitioned from the force.

This service recognises that periods of transition are challenging and is designed to complement existing treatment plans and assist members to identify and work towards important and meaningful life goals.

A dedicated Procare allied health consultant will collaborate with each member to develop holistic goals aligned with their values, interests and will support the member to achieve these goals.

Procare injury management - transitional brochure

Find information about the Engage Transitional Support Program, designed for NSW Police Officers who are transitioning out of the police force.

Procare injury management - website

Click here to learn more about Procare's injury management, wellness and return to work services.

Your Future Career and Wellbeing

Your Future programs are tailored to each person’s requirements as they consider what a new job may look like. The Your Future team understand that a new career conversation and the scope of options, can be overwhelming. It may also feel unachievable, when there are other life obstacles in the way.

The team's role is to make the transition process a little easier, and ensure that they support your readiness and motivation when it comes to career planning and employer engagement. Your Future also works with you at any point in your decision making to return to work, and will tailor their guidance, resources, coaching and tools to your plan.

Their expert team will support you in finding balance and confidence to secure your next role, working with you to:

Convert career ideas to goals
Provide preparation expertise per application through to post placement support
Secure long term meaningful employment

Your Future - brochure

Learn more about how Your Future Career and Wellbeing can help you find a new career purpose and achieve optimal wellbeing.

Your Future – website

Click here to find out more about Your Future Career and Wellbeing’s services.

Downloads

Medical retirement FAQs

Learn more about medical retirement from NSW Police with frequently asked questions and answers.

Family Support Coordinator - brochure

Learn more about the role of the Family Support Coordinator and how they support the family, that are in turn supporting the employee in their recovery process.

Recovery after Trauma - Guide for Police

Guide for Police with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - to help officers, their friends and family recover after a potentially traumatic incident.

EFT form - claims payments

Electronic funds transfer (EFT) request form - claims payments.

TFN declaration

Electronic tax file number declaration.

Statutory declaration form

Statutory declaration form.