SPECOPSLAB

NZSAS vs 21 & 23 SAS (R)

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of NZSAS and 21 & 23 SAS (R), event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

NEW ZEALAND1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (NZSAS)NZDF Assessment Day (A-Day) — NZSAS trade-specific standardOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →UNITED KINGDOM21 and 23 Special Air Service (Reserve) — UK Special Forces (Reserve)Role Fitness Test (Entry) — SAS ReserveOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventNZSAS21 & 23 SAS (R)
Multi-Stage Fitness Test (beep test), level.shuttle — e.g. 11.0921 & 23 SAS (R): Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level.shuttle12.01stricter5.8
Press-ups30only this unit—
Mid-Thigh Pull (MTP), peak force—50 kgonly this unit
Seated medicine ball throw, 4 kg (MBT)—2.7 monly this unit

Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

NZSAS sets the higher minimum in: beep test.

NZSAS tests 2 events, 21 & 23 SAS (R) tests 3 events.

Pay

NZSAS
NZ$82,481–NZ$98,846 / yearWhat an NZSAS operator earns · Corporal (CPL) · Other Ranks, Sector A Tier 1 – Sector D Tier 3 · Step 5 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
21 & 23 SAS (R)
£47,426 / yearSpecial Forces pay for 21 & 23 SAS (R): annual pay spine and day rates · SF Range 1 (OR2–OR3) · Private, Lance Corporal · L1 · default scenario, gross

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is NZSAS or 21 & 23 SAS (R) harder to get into?

NZSAS sets the higher minimum in: beep test. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.

How do the NZSAS and 21 & 23 SAS (R) fitness tests differ?

NZSAS: 2 events (beep test, press-ups). 21 & 23 SAS (R): 3 events (mtp, med ball, bleep).

Does NZSAS or 21 & 23 SAS (R) pay more?

NZSAS: NZ$82,481–NZ$98,846/year; 21 & 23 SAS (R): £47,426/year (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.

Sources:
NZSAS
21 & 23 SAS (R)