Valuing diversity

Victoria Police aims to grow a diverse workforce. We look to represent the communities we serve.

Diversity and inclusion statement

Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people.

We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections, collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate.

In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation.

We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience.

We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all.

We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.

Growing a diverse workforce

We value the diversity of our employees and their unique attributes, including their:

age
gender
culture
religion
sexual orientation
life experiences
abilities
skills
ethnicity
language
socioeconomic status.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe environment free from discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying, and racism.

Our focus includes increasing the representation of:

women
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
people with disabilities
those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

We also actively support LGBTIQA+ communities as well as multicultural and multi-faith groups.

Advancing gender equality

Sustainable gender equality is important to creating a better workplace for our people. It will also help them:

meet the demands of contemporary policing
provide excellence in community service, particularly on the issue of gendered violence.

A career with Victoria Police offers a range of performance development programs and flexible work options. This makes career development opportunities accessible to everyone.
Women in Victoria Police can join our women networks:
- Victoria Police Women of Colour Network
- Women in Policing Local Committee & Advisory Group.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

We strive to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our staff have developed networks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruits and employees to join.
Aboriginal Student Network at the Academy
Recruits training at the Academy can join the Aboriginal Student Network. The network meets frequently, and gives recruits access to support and advice.
Operational Aboriginal police, protective services officers (PSO) and police custody officers (PCO) often attend meetings as guest speakers.
The network also makes recommendations to Academy Management. These recommendations help us work towards a training environment that is:
- inclusive
- safe
- supportive.
Aboriginal Employee Network Council (AENC).
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are invited to connect and engage with the Aboriginal Employee Network Council (AENC).
The AENC connects staff from across the state to network, develop, and collaborate.

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD)

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people as those who were born overseas, or have at least one parent born overseas, and who have:

an ethnic heritage
languages other than English spoken at home
culture or traditions through their (or parent’s) country of birth and religion.

See Victoria Police's full definition of CALD.

Our workforce is enriched with people from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
We understand that our workforce should reflect the cultural diversity of our Victorian community. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring our organisation is a safe place for people of all backgrounds to work.
Our CALD Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2024 shows our commitment to creating a diverse, safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.
Our staff have developed networks for CALD recruits and employees to join.
CALD Student Network
Recruits training at the Academy can join the CALD Student Network.
The network meets frequently, and gives recruits access to support and advice. Operational CALD police, protective services officers and police custody officers often attend meetings as guest speakers.
The network also makes recommendations to Academy management. These recommendations help us build a training environment that is inclusive and supportive.
CALD employee networks
Victoria Police has a number of established CALD led employee networks. These networks provide an environment for employees to connect, share experiences, and advocate for the development of policies and strategies.
Our networks include the:
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Council
- Hindu Employee Network
- Victoria Police African Employee Network
- Victoria Police Hellenic Association
- Victoria Police Jewish Employee Network
- Victoria Police Muslim Association
- Victoria Police Sikh Employee Network.

Supporting employees with disabilities

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workforce in which people with disability feel safe, valued, and respected.

As an employer of choice, we value the contribution of our people with disabilities.
We recognise the contribution they make as employees within our organisation, and offer workplace adjustments where needed.
We have committed to reaching a target of having 12% of Victorian Public Sector (VPS) employees identifying as living with disabilities by 2025.
Victoria Police has held the Australian Network on Disability’s ‘Disability Confident Recruitment’ accreditation since 2020.
Our Access and Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2024 shows our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.
Visit our Disability community safety page to learn more about our ongoing commitment to the those living with a disability.
We have employment pathways and networks to support our employees with disability.
Employment pathways
Through the disability pathway in Victorian Government Graduate Program, we employ graduates with disabilities each year.
For more information about the program, visit the Victorian Government website.
Victoria Police Enablers Network
The Victoria Police Enablers Network (VP Enablers) is the voice of Victoria Police employees with disability. Employees with disability and their supporters can join.
International Day of People with Disability
Every year, we celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities. The event includes an award ceremony to recognise outstanding service to people with disabilities.
Any employee from any police station or work unit can receive the award.
You can contact HRC-GEID-MGR@police.vic.gov.au for more information about opportunities and support available for people with disabilities at Victoria Police.
Some candidates with disability may not be eligible for operational roles within Victoria Police.
The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 allows exemptions where it is reasonably necessary. This is to protect the health and safety of our employees and the public.
To see if your medical condition might affect your application with Victoria Police, read the Medical guidelines for applicants.
Reasonable Workplace Adjustment
We have a Reasonable Workplace Adjustment policy. The policy is there to improve capacity for people with disabilities to be employed, develop in their role and be retained.
From a position being advertised through to an applicant starting in a new role, applicants can seek reasonable adjustment.
Reasonable workplace adjustment refers to changes that are made so that a person with disability has equal access to:
- services
- resources
- employment opportunities
- advancement opportunities.
This ensures the recruitment process allows all applicants an equal opportunity to show they are the best person for the job.
We also have a Workplace Adjustment Passport and a practice guide. This supports understanding and ensures compliance with policy.

LGBTIQA+ communities

We are a proud employer of people of all genders and sexual orientations.

Representing Victoria's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning and asexual (LGBTIQA+) communities in our workforce helps us create trust with our community. It also allows us to provide a fair policing service.

We embrace the diversity of our workforce and are committed to creating an environment which is inclusive and safe from discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and bullying.
We are a member of Pride in Diversity, a national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTIQA+ workplace inclusion.
We also have been awarded silver status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index.
The LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2024 reaffirms our commitment to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive workforce for LGBTIQA+ employees.
Visit our LGBTIQA+ community safety page to learn more about our ongoing commitment to the LGBTIQA+ community.
Our staff have developed networks for LGBTIQA+ recruits and employees to join.
LGBTIQA+ Student Network
The LGBTIQA+ Student Network is available for recruits at the Academy to join. The network meets frequently, and gives recruits access to support and advice.
Operational LGBTIQA+ police and protective services officers often attend meetings as guest speakers.
The network also makes recommendations to Academy management. These recommendations help us work towards a training environment that is inclusive and supportive.
Other employee networks
There are currently two LGBTIQA+ networks that employees can join, VP PRIDE and the Trans and Gender Diverse Employee Network (TAGDEN). Find out more about these LGBTIQA+ employee networks.
Support your community
We connect with and celebrate LGBTIQA+ communities through recognising important dates, including:

Work experience and traineeship programs

We encourage students and young Victorians from all backgrounds to explore the work experience, traineeships and employment schemes available at Victoria Police.

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Diversity in Victoria Police - Careers Q&A session

On this page

Diversity and inclusion statement

Growing a diverse workforce

Advancing gender equality

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Aboriginal Student Network at the Academy

Aboriginal Employee Network Council (AENC).

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD)

CALD Student Network

CALD employee networks

Supporting employees with disabilities

Employment pathways

Victoria Police Enablers Network

International Day of People with Disability

Reasonable Workplace Adjustment

LGBTIQA+ communities

LGBTIQA+ Student Network

Other employee networks

Support your community

Work experience and traineeship programs

Apply to be a police officer

Already started your application?