Fitness test

Physical fitness assessment  

The physical fitness assessment tests your ability to handle basic strenuous tasks that police officers perform as part of their duties. 

We strongly urge you to train and prepare for this testing, making sure you can reach the minimum requirements before you apply to join Tasmania Police.  

You will be required to provide photo ID and sign an indemnity form prior to commencing the assessment to confirm that you are fit and well to participate, and that you are not suffering any injury.  

You will not be permitted to participate if you are not wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, or if you arrive late. 

Fitness Standards

• Assessments marked with an asterisk* are non-negotiable. Applicants MUST meet the minimum requirement

If you do not identify as male or female, please contact Recruiting Services for further advice. 

Body Mass Index (BMI) 

Your BMI is an objective scientific measure that uses your height and weight. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres.  

A BMI of 18.5 – 29.9 meets our entry requirements. 

If you have a BMI of less than 18.5 your application will be assessed by our fitness consultants and possibly your general practitioner, to determine whether you are suitable for the demands of the training. 

If you have a BMI above 29.9 you will generally not meet the entry requirements. 

Should you have an elevated BMI due to higher levels of muscle mass, your application will be assessed by our fitness consultants and possibly your general practitioner. 

Multistage Fitness Test 

This test involves continuous running between two lines 20 metres apart in time to recorded beeps. For this reason, the test is also often called the ‘beep test‘ or ‘shuttle run. Participants stand behind one of the lines facing the second line and begin running when instructed by the recording.  

The speed at the start is quite slow. The participant continues running between the two lines, turning when signalled by the recorded beeps. After about one minute, a sound indicates an increase in speed, and the beeps will be closer together.   

This continues for each level. If the line is reached before the beep sounds, the participant must wait until the beep sounds before continuing. If the line is not reached before the beep sounds, the participant is given a warning and must continue to run to the line, then turn and try to catch up with the pace within two more ‘beeps’.   

The participant is given a warning the first time they fail to reach the line (within 2 meters) and eliminated after the second warning.  

Minimum levels are listed below.  

Illinois Agility Test 

Participants will lie on their front (head to the start line) and hands on top of each other with chin resting on hands.   

Staff will count down 3, 2, 1 but will not say GO. The stopwatch is started when the participant gets up and starts running. You must run as quickly as possible to the 10-metre line, turn and then run back 10 meters, you then run in a weaving motion between the cones up and back. Finally, the participant runs another 10 metres up and back past the finishing cone, at which the timing is stopped.  

Female applicants are expected to complete the test in less than 22.0 seconds and male applicants in less than 20.0 seconds.  

Push-Up Test 

The push up test measures the muscular endurance of the chest, upper arms, and shoulder muscles that are required in restraining, subduing, separating, and defending.  

Applicants must perform as many continuous full body push-ups as possible in a 60 second period without pausing.  

Female applicants are required to complete a minimum of 6 push-ups whilst male applicants are required to complete a minimum of 20 push-ups.  

Grip Strength Test 

The Grip Strength Test is designed to measure the combined gripping strength of the hands that is needed to fire weapons, apply restraints, and control or subdue violent offenders. Grip strength also has a moderately high correlation with the total strength of 22 other muscles of the body. Thus, measurement of hand grip strength gives an indication of the overall strength of an individual.  

Female applicants must obtain a minimum score of 25 for each hand on the hand grip strength dynamometer.  

Male applicants must obtain a minimum score of 45 for each hand.  

Aptitude and Problem Solving Test 

As part of the Tasmania Police selection process, applicants will be required to participate in a series of aptitude and problem-solving tests.  These tests are designed to assess your suitability to undertake the academic content of the Tasmania Police Recruit Training Course Curriculum as well as your ability to successfully fulfill the role of a police officer. 

The tests are designed to assess your ability to think quickly and logically, demonstrating your reading, writing and numerical ability as well as an ability to solve problems. The tests also assess your ability to accurately perceive emotions and react accordingly. 

The Cognify test assesses problem solving ability, numerical reasoning and verbal knowledge through six mini-games which applicants will have to complete. Examples of the game-based testing can be found here. 

The Emotify test measures emotional intelligence, emotional perception and understanding. This is important in a policing role as we often have to assess the emotions people are feeling when dealing with them. Examples of the two game-based tests can be found here. 

Applicants may only undertake the testing once every 12 months. 

If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait 12 months before submitting another Expression of Interest. 

Due to the nature of this testing we are unable to provide specific feedback to people who are unsuccessful at this stage of the recruitment process. 

For further information, please contact us.