2026 AFP Graduate Program

Job Details

JOB TITLE - 2026 AFP Graduate Program

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full Time

LOCATION - Roles are based in Canberra and candidates will be required to relocate if securing a role.

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 3 | $75,233 + 15.4% superannuation 

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14052

CONTACT OFFICER - Emerging Talent Team Phone: 02 5127 2555 (Option 3), ​Email: emergingtalent@afp.gov.au

APPLICATIONS CLOSE - 11:59pm (AEDT)  31/03/2025

Giving University Graduates a unique path into a career with the AFP

Are you ready to kickstart your career in an agency where you can make a real difference and use your skills to protect and shape the future of Australia? 

We are seeking enthusiastic and driven graduates to join our agency in a variety of roles. If you are a university graduate interested in launching a fulfilling career with us, we offer a wide range of opportunities to contribute to meaningful and life-impacting policies, programs and practices that will shape the security landscape of Australia.

By joining the Australian Federal Police, you will embark on a professional journey where every day brings a new challenge, opportunities to grow and a chance to create a safer Australia. What the AFP offers is more than just a job, instead it’s your opportunity to play a pivotal role behind the scenes by contributing to innovative solutions and supporting critical operations while growing your skills in a dynamic and rewarding environment.

As Australia’s national policing agency, we are committed to serving and protecting our community with integrity, courage and professionalism. In a time of rapidly evolving criminal activity, our global networks and world-leading expertise across multiple areas helps us stay a step ahead. While much of our work happens on the frontline, our success relies on a team of dedicated professionals working in area such as intelligence, forensics, ICT finance and human resources.

We are an inclusive organisation, providing the opportunity for all Australians to fairly gain employment with the AFP. We appreciate that everyone is unique and acknowledge that diversity in thought leads to greater transparency and improved consideration in our decision making. To support our employees we also provide flexible work arrangements.

A career with the AFP can take you around Australia and the world, doing work that’s critical to keep all Australians safe. It’s an agency like no other.

What is the role?

The AFP Graduate Program gives university graduates who are passionate about the work of the AFP a unique path to a range of challenging and rewarding roles. As a graduate you will be empowered to contribute to national and international operations while developing your expertise through tailored training, mentorship and hands-on experience. You will receive bespoke opportunities tailored to developing our future leaders. The 12-month program provides permanent, full-time employment in specialist or support roles, working in a variety of areas and playing a key role in helping the AFP stay a step ahead of crime. The program is underpinned by a structured learning and development journey, offering training and touchpoints in both face-to-face and virtual settings. Supported by your Team Leader, buddy, co-workers and the Emerging Talent Team, At the end of the program, you’ll launch straight into an exciting career in a specialist or support team in the area that recruited you, with a guaranteed permanent position.

As a member of the 2025 AFP Graduate Program, you will be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the AFP Work Level Standards, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on their core responsibilities and meet the requirements of the position(s) they are assigned.

Role Description & Responsibilities

AFP graduates are placed in a variety of business areas across the organisation. As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the critical and dynamic work of Australia’s national policing agency. Your valuable contribution will have a real impact on how we work as an organisation and also on our broader communities. Whilst on the program you will have the opportunity to:

• undertake targeted professional development opportunities that provide you with the knowledge and skills to set up your career
• complete a number of work area rotations, exposing you to different areas of the AFP
• access graduate specific support including buddies, mentors and other organisational networks

What We Are Looking For

Our professional roles are the backbone of our success. We are not just looking for graduates, we are looking for innovators, problem solvers and future leaders. We are looking for applicants with strong analytical, problem solving and communications skills, with a commitment to integrity, teamwork and public service.

Whilst the AFP welcomes applications from all eligible graduates, degrees in the following fields will be very highly regarded:

• Arts, Humanities and Justice (Counterterrorism, Criminal Justice, Criminology, International Relations, Intelligence, Languages, Policy, Security Analysis or National Security)
• Business (Accounting, Auditing, Commerce, Finance, Human Resources/Industrial Relations, Project and Change Management)
• Criminology (Security Studies, Counter Terrorism, Intelligence & Security)
• Education
• Health Science (Exercise Science, Human Movement, Kinesiology, Occupational therapy)
• Information technology (computer and data science, cybersecurity, electronics or mechatronics, programming, network engineering, system administration)
• Law
• Media and Communication (Communications, Graphic Design, Media, Visual Arts)
• Science (Forensic Science)
• Social science (Psychology, Social work).

Salary and Benefits

 The AFP Graduate Program provides a number of benefits including:

• Generous salaries with a starting annual salary of $75,233 + 15.4% Superannuation
• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 18 days of paid personal leave and 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Opportunities with rotations across exciting and high impact areas
• Access to AFP Tertiary Study Assistance Scheme (ATSAS)
• Impactful opportunities that support real world operations to protect and safeguard Australia
• A supportive culture and a forward-thinking workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued
• Positions will be located in Canberra and relocation assistance is provided if you are moving interstate;
• Further details and other generous employment conditions can be found in the AFP Enterprise Agreement. 

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application;
• You must have finished at least a bachelor degree in the last five years (2020 or later) or be set to complete your degree in a relevant field by no later than December 2025;
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Selection Criteria

The Graduate selection process comprises of multiple assessments and selection rounds. The below mentioned selection criteria will be used throughout the recruitment process to assess applicants in conjunction with the AFP's Band 3 Work Level Standards.

• Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
• Communicating and working effectively with other people
• Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills

Required Application Documents

As part of your application, you will be required to submit the following documents:

• Your academic record/university transcript (attach this document in the applicant response field). If you are in your final year, please upload your latest unofficial transcript. If successful, you will be required to provide the official transcript of your academic results as evidence you have completed your degree before you are made a formal offer.
• Resume/CV.

Advice for Applicants

• All mandatory fields must be completed by the applicant. Applicants must provide all requested documents as outlined above in 'Required Application Documents'.
• All requested documents must be uploaded to the online application form and submitted before the closing date and time. Any documents not supplied may result in your application being withdrawn from the recruitment process.
• Please do not upload a response to the selection criteria or a 2 page pitch - there is no written element required at this stage of the application process.
• The email address you use to create your application will be used to communicate with you throughout the process, please ensure the email address you use will be accessible through the entire recruitment process.
• Once you have submitted your application, please continue to monitor your email address (including junk and spam folders) for updates from recruitment. Please also register for the SMS notification option as this will ensure you receive the latest updates and information.
• As part of the shortlisting process, applicants may be required to complete further testing, assessments, psychological screening and/or video or face to face interviews.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair. 
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.  

For further information on positions, and other employment opportunities in the AFP, please visit our website or contact the contact officer listed on (02) 5127 2555 (option 3) or email emergingtalent@afp.gov.au.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.