What you'll do

Police officer careers

For a rewarding, challenging career, become a police officer in the AFP

What you'll do

As a police officer in the AFP you will:

  • Investigate breaches of the law
  • Use information and evidence to determine the appropriate law-enforcement response
  • Interview witnesses and suspects
  • Collect, prepare and present evidence
  • Work with prosecution agencies, attend court and give evidence.

See the Candidate Pack for more information

About the role

About the role

As a police officer in the Australian Federal Police, your core task will be to outsmart crime through intelligent action. You will be expected to work with integrity, commitment, excellence, accountability, fairness, respect and trust at all times.

Is a police officer role right for you?

Is a police officer role right for you?

Keen to outsmart crime through intelligent action? Take our quiz to see if you've got what it takes.

1. Are you prepared to learn and be tested on various Commonwealth, ACT and/or State or Territory legislation and the incorporation of police powers?
   - Police work involves in-depth knowledge and application of legislation. Our officers must do the training and study required to deliver that.
    
2. Do you enjoy working with diverse groups?
 - Police officers have a strong involvement with different community groups and must be willing and able to build rapport with them.
    
3. Are you able to give and receive information effectively?
   - Police officers must be excellent communicators.

4. Are you able to regulate your emotions and deal effectively with highly stressful situations?
   - Police officers are often exposed to graphic, emotional and disturbing scenes and must be able to deal with them appropriately.

5. Are you willing to travel for work and potentially even move from your current home?
   - Police officers can be deployed around Australia and internationally at short notice.

6. With appropriate training, are you prepared to make instant life-and-death decisions involving the use of tactical equipment?
   - Police officers carry a range of tactical equipment (Glock pistol, baton, handcuffs, capsicum spray, taser) on each shift.

If you answered yes to all the questions, it sounds like a career as a police officer could be the perfect fit for you!

Entry-level roles

Entry-level roles

Entry-level police officer roles in the AFP are highly sought-after. After successfully completing the Federal Police Development Program you will be deployed in line with the AFP’s operational priorities and the needs of the organisation at that time.

How we protect our people

How we protect our people

The safety of our people is paramount. The training and support provided by the AFP throughout an officer’s policing career encompasses a range of specialised areas to protect physical and mental health. 

The AFP has a number of measures and support services in place to protect the physical, mental and emotional health of our employees. These include:

  • The AFP Welfare Officer Network
  • High-performance health centres to be set up in each regional command
  • First-class on-the-job training
  • Ongoing mentoring
  • Operational safety training. 

Learn more about AFP support services

More information for applicants

More information for applicants

Eligibility
Health and Fitness
Officer Application Process
Training at the AFP College
Benefits and support
Culture and Diversity

Keep in touch

Join our Talent Pool

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