Australia doesn't have a single "SWAT" name; instead, different states and the federal police have their own Police Tactical Groups (PTGs), with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Tactical Response Team (TRT) and state units like NSW's Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), Vic & Tas' Special Operations Groups (SOGs), QLD's Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), SA's Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR), and WA's Tactical Response Group (TRG) handling high-risk incidents, counter-terrorism, and major operations.
Firearms unit is the most common name outside of the capital, while that of London's Metropolitan Police Service is called the Specialist Firearms Command, Trojan, or MO19. Within the media, it is sometimes compared to the SWAT units of the United States.
State Protection Group. The State Protection Group (SPG) is part of the Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics Command of the New South Wales Police Force and was established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses.
Australia's most elite military unit is widely considered to be the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), often referred to as Australia's Tier 1 Special Forces, alongside the 2nd Commando Regiment, both operating under the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD). The SASR specializes in long-range reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism, while the 2nd Commando Regiment focuses on strike and recovery operations, with both units handling the most demanding missions.
The average swat officer gross salary in Australia is $94,848 or an equivalent hourly rate of $46. In addition, they earn an average bonus of $2,020. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Australia.
The Tactical Response team provides a highly professional policing and emergency response in Australia and overseas. The team uses specialised, rapidly deployable technology and other tactical capabilities to support high-risk operations.
Jobs paying $500k+ in Australia are primarily in highly specialized fields like Medical Specialists (surgeons, anaesthetists), Senior Finance/Executive Roles (CFO, Head of Treasury, Investment Directors), and high-end Sales & Construction Management (Elite Stockbrokers, Senior Project Managers/Estimators in complex sectors). While roles like Neurosurgeon and Ophthalmologist average well over $500k, achieving this in other sectors often involves performance-based bonuses or leading major projects, with opportunities listed on job boards like SEEK and Jora.
Australia doesn't have a single "SWAT" but rather specialized police tactical units at federal and state levels, like the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Tactical Response Team (TRT), Victoria Police Special Operations Group (SOG), and NSW Police State Protection Group (SPG), with similar units in other states often called Police Tactical Groups (PTG) or specialized teams (STAR, TRG), handling high-risk situations like terrorism, sieges, and armed offenders.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
Neither SAS nor SBS is definitively "more elite"; they are equally elite but specialized, with the SAS focusing on land/air and the SBS on maritime/amphibious roles, both part of the UK's UK Special Forces (UKSF) and sharing the same rigorous Joint Special Forces Selection process, with SBS adding extra maritime training like swimmer-canoeist skills. Think of them as the Army's and Navy's top-tier counterparts within the same elite special forces framework.
Australia's equivalent to the CIA (US) or SIS (UK) is the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), responsible for collecting secret foreign intelligence to protect Australia's national security and interests overseas, using human intelligence (HUMINT). While ASIS handles foreign intelligence, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is Australia's domestic security agency, focusing on threats within Australia, similar to the FBI's role.
Secret police (or political police) are government agencies that operate as secret services engaging in covert operations against a government's political, ideological or social opponents and dissidents. Secret police organizations are characteristic of police states governed by authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.
Yes, in UK police forces, a DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) is a higher rank than a DS (Detective Sergeant), with the rank structure going from Detective Constable (DC) -> Detective Sergeant (DS) -> Detective Inspector (DI) -> Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) -> Detective Superintendent (DSupt). A DCI leads investigations and units, while a DS is a working detective, often managing crime scenes or specific tasks under a DI or DCI.
Given the nature of the work, most if not all police agencies require at least two to three years of experience as a police officer before you're eligible to apply for SWAT.
SO19-Service Firearms Unit
The Armed Response Vehicles (ARVs) primary role is to offer a 24/7 response to spontaneous incidents where the safety of the public and unarmed police officers is being, or is likely to be, endangered through persons believed to be armed or otherwise highly dangerous.
In the 19th century, police constables were called “Bobbies” after Home Secretary Robert Peel, who established the institution of the police in the first place.
Under the direction of bold and fearless leaders, and through strategies of ruthlessly efficient conquest, the Mongol army became one of the strongest in history. Its most revered leader, Genghis Khan, was born circa 1162, a descendent of the warlord Bodonchar Munkhag.
The United States has the strongest army in the world in 2025. This is based on defense budget, military technology, and global influence. Key highlights include: Highest defense spending (approx.
The U.S. continues to dominate as the world's most powerful military. With a budget nearing $900 billion, it invests heavily in advanced warfare systems, from cyber capabilities to space defense. It fields the largest air force globally with over 13,000 aircraft, including stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35.
The Australian SAS (Special Air Service Regiment) uses a diverse, evolving arsenal, but key current and recent weapons include the SIG Sauer MCX Rattler (PDW), HK417 (marksman rifle), SR-25, M4/M4A1 carbines, and Browning Hi-Power (pistol, being replaced by the SIG P320/F9), alongside support weapons like Minimi/Maximi LMGs and sniper rifles like the Blaser Tactical 2 or Accuracy International AW50F. Their choices emphasize modularity, reliability, and mission-specific needs for long-range infiltration, sabotage, and direct action.
Origin #1: The 10-Code Theory (“10-12” Code for Police Present) One of the strongest theories traces “12” back to the 10-codes used in law enforcement radio communication. The 10-12 police code means: *“Stand by / Be on alert” or “There are visitors or bystanders present.”
FIREARMS REGULATION 2017 - REG 130
(1) Any police officer who is in possession of a service firearm while the police officer is not on duty as a police officer is exempt from the requirement under the Act to be authorised by a licence or permit to possess the firearm during any such period.
To be in Australia's top 1% of individual taxpayers, you generally need an annual income of around $375,000 to $390,000, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with higher thresholds for households (around $530,000). For context, the median individual income is much lower (around $55,000), and while top earners often include surgeons and anaesthetists, reaching the top 1% of net worth requires significantly more wealth, often exceeding $7 million.
Here are some of the lowest-paid jobs in Australia:
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