Investigative Assistants (Northern Command)

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Temporary Full time for a period of 24 months

LOCATION - QLD

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 02 ($62,263.00 - $72,339.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15415

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year 
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for the role of Investigative Assistant, Northern Command (Cairns, Thursday Island or Brisbane).

Investigative Assistants are professional unsworn members of the AFP who provide an important support capability to operational areas by providing sworn members with additional capacity to undertake investigative duties, reduce their administrative workload, and focus on operational outcomes.

As a Team Member in the AFP you will be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

What will you do?

Investigative Assistants contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of operational area outcomes by undertaking a range of administrative, corporate, and operational activities. The primary role and responsibilities of Investigative Assistants within operational teams are as follows:

• Operational Support Tasks including research, external enquiries, transcriptions, rostering arrangements, Major Incident Room (MIR) support, data entry, paper/electronic brief preparation, scanning/photocopying and court preparation;

• Utilisation of electronic Police databases including the interrogation, input, collation and retrieval of data to support operational activity - e.g. case creation, linking, auditing of team cases, and assistance with case finalisation;

• Performance Reporting and Quality Assurance Processes including data quality reviews, management and dissemination of operational activity reports, operational and corporate compliance reports, and liaison with Corporate Services teams;

• Administrative Support Tasks including management of team assets and equipment, management of interpreters, hospitality requests, event management, undertaking secretariat duties, and maintenance of phone/contact lists;

• Corporate Support Tasks including procurement, financial administration, asset auditing, travel arrangements, organisational charts, liaison with contractors, fleet maintenance, and assistance with onboarding new members/secondees; and

• Management of Property and Exhibits including data entry, continuity of exhibits during forensic procedures, assistance with the return of property, destruction of property, liaison with Forensics and the Property & Exhibits team.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise effectively at all levels internally and externally;
• Efficient and effective time management skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise work tasks;
• Sound written and verbal communication skills;
• The ability to work calmly and effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic operational environment;
• Intermediate to advanced level skills in Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be comfortable working in sensitive or confronting environments (e.g., child exploitation, serious organised crime)

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• The ability to apply confidentiality, judgement and initiative; and
• A strong understanding of the need for integrity, disclosure and mandatory reporting.
• Experience in a government or law enforcement agency will be highly regarded.

Additional Information

• This is an AFP Band 2 level position and works under the AFP Operations Working Pattern.
• This role attracts a composite allowance in recognition of expanded working hours, normal patterns of attendance and shift patterns (such as afternoon shifts, weekends and Designated Public Holidays) that are required under the Operations working pattern. In accordance with the AFP Enterprise Agreement, an employee who is required to work in accordance with the Operations working pattern will receive a Core Composite of 22% in addition to their base salary, which will count as salary for superannuation. The Commissioner has the authority to remove a composite from a role.
• There are 3 positions located in Cairns, Thursday Island and Brisbane, where the successful applicant is expected to be located. External applicants required to relocate will be responsible for their own relocation costs.  
• These positions support the AFP’s regional engagement strategy and are funded through the Pacific Solution. We strongly encourage applications from individuals residing in North Queensland and Torres Strait Islander communities, as local knowledge and community connection are highly valued.
• Given expected high volume of applications, only applicants who progress post interview phase will be eligible for feedback on outcome.

Selection Criteria

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

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role. 

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

NOTE: Due to the anticipated high number of applications, no feedback will be provided to applicants that are unsuccessful at application stage. For applicants that progress past application stage, feedback will occur when the recruitment process has been finalised, if requested.

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.  

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer:  Nicholas McKenzie,

Contact Officer Phone:  02 5126 3965, ​

Contact Officer Email:  nicholasp.mckenzie@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 07/11/2025

To view other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au