Eligibilty

To apply for the Lateral Program, you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Have at least a Diploma of Public Safety (Policing) or equivalent
• Have a minimum of three years operational policing experience
• Have not been separated from a jurisdictional policing role for more than five years
• Have strong criminal investigation experience (applicants with a Detective designation are encouraged to apply)
• Be driven by an intelligent, problem-solving approach to tackling serious crime
• Be willing to constantly adapt and learn to overcome problems put in their way
• Be self-motivated and willing to deploy to any area of the AFP, including ACT Policing (Canberra) and National Operations (various national offices except Queensland)
• Be physically fit and healthy
• Obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1/Negative Vetting 2 security clearance
• Hold a Senior First Aid Certificate (valid for entire training period)
• Provide evidence of your ability to swim 100 metres freestyle non-stop and unaided.

For National Operations roles, the following are desirable:

• Demonstrated experience in a specialised field such as serious or organised crime, counter terrorism, people smuggling or technology-enabled crime
• Demonstrated experience in community policing.

Your application

Recruitment intakes for the program are listed in the current vacancies. To start your application, you will be asked to register your profile on the AFP’s online recruitment system, MyCareer. Please note that the timeframe for each application will vary depending on the role advertised.

Employee Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ)

All applicants must complete the ESQ, which assesses your character and ability to meet AFP standards, and ensures the integrity of the AFP. You will be also be required to disclose details of any investigations in the conduct of your duties during your policing career.

For more information on suitability, download the AFP Character Standards.

Interviews

Depending on the role, you may be asked to do a one-way video interview to be submitted online within a set timeframe. This involves using a mobile or desktop device to record your responses to up to five questions centring on your policing experience and expertise.

You may also need to do a panel interview with experienced AFP officers. This is designed to assess your:

• Contemporary technical policing knowledge, expertise and skills
• Organisational and decision-making skills and ability to achieve outcomes
• Communication skills and ability to work effectively with others.

Assessments

You will be required to develop a written brief in response to an operational scenario. To pass this timed, online assessment, your brief needs to be at a standard expected for an operational policing role.

If you pass the written assessment, you will need to undergo a medical and psychological assessment to ensure you will be able to carry out operational policing requirements. These include being able to:

• Act quickly in emergencies
• Function in an urgent duty-driving capacity
• Safely carry, use and secure a firearm.

Security Vetting

For the AFP to be able to protect official and security classified resources, you will need to undergo a security vetting process before any formal offer of employment can be finalised. This will provide you with a security clearance to the level specified for the position you are being offered.

Compulsory Training

The Federal Police Lateral Program (FPLP) is the compulsory training part of the application process. Training is carried out by the AFP College in Canberra or at a state-based location. You may be required to spend part of the program in another location.

Training lasts for up to 10 weeks, depending on your level of program components. The training may be held every year, depending on operational requirements.

Your AFP career

After successfully completing the recruitment process, including training, you will begin your AFP career with a rank of up to Leading Senior Constable (taking into consideration your previous police service).

You will be assigned roles based on your experience and skills, and in line with AFP operational requirements.