In March, 810 people applied to join the force — a 56 per cent increase on the same time last year when 518 applications were recorded.
The jump follows new rules introduced on March 3, which allow some applicants to skip the police entrance exam.
The exemption applies to paramedics, firefighters, and Australian Defence Force personnel who have worked in their fields within the past five years, along with applicants who finished school in the past five years with an ATAR of at least 65 and a minimum English study score of 25.
By the end of March, 159 people had already progressed through the fast-tracked process.
This included 25 emergency services and defence force workers, and 24 with favourable VCE results.
More than 40 applicants were able to move to the next stage without sitting the exam again, under a new exemption for those who had passed it within the past five years, while a further 15 applicants had recently completed an entrance exam for another Australian police force.
"The spike in applications we've recorded during March is encouraging, but we know there is more work needed to bolster the hardworking frontline,” acting superintendent Sharon Matheson, human resources command said.
"I'm particularly pleased to see the response to our new entrance exam exemptions for applicants who've recently worked as a paramedic, firefighter or in defence.
"These are people who've demonstrated an aptitude for helping others and are committed to making a difference in the community,” she said.
Victoria Police is trying to fill more than 1000 vacancies statewide to support the frontline.
"There’s no doubt policing can be a tough job and it takes a special person to do it,” Ms Matheson said.
"We will continue doing all we can to attract those people and back the great work our members do each and every day."
So far this year, more than 2100 applications have been submitted — about 140 more than at this point last year.
Three new double squads have already started training at the academy in 2025, with the latest intake on March 24.
Each double squad includes up to 44 recruits. Another is expected to begin on April 21.
More information about applying to join Victoria Police is available at police.vic.gov.au/police-recruitment-process.
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