2026 AFP First Nations Pathway Program

Job Details

JOB TITLE - 2026 AFP First Nations Pathway 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 2 $64,754.00

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14392

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.

Giving First Nations people 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? 

At the Australian Federal Police (AFP) we value the unique perspectives and lived experiences of First Nations people. We are seeking enthusiastic and driven individuals to join our agency in a variety of roles. If you are 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 be part of a team that values who you are and your lived experience. 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.

The AFP is offering a wide range of roles and opportunities through the AFP’s First Nations Pathway Program. 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 ACT Policing, intelligence, forensics, procurement and logistics, investigations, corporate support, protection, media and communications 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 First Nations Pathway Program is a unique path to a range of challenging and rewarding roles. As a First Nations Pathway participant you will be empowered to contribute to national and international operation while developing your expertise through tailored training and hands on experience.  You will receive bespoke opportunities tailored to developing our future leaders. The 12-month integrated employment and development program runs annually from February. The 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.

Throughout the structured 12 month program, you may work in a number of roles across multiple teams, exposing you to opportunities that will provide the tools and resources you need to begin a fulfilling career at the AFP. Your work will contribute to, and influence, programs and policies impacting on all Australians, including First Nations families and communities. It also helps ensure the AFP’s workforce is representative of the communities we serve.

As a member of the AFP First Nations Pathway 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 successful applicants will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position(s) they are assigned.

Role Description & Responsibilities

AFP First Nations Pathway provides employment pathways in a variety of roles such as intelligence, forensics, ICT, intelligence, corporate support, protection, finance, media and communications and human resources.

These are all non-policing corporate support roles and will provide successful candidates the opportunity to learn about the dynamic work and career pathways the AFP has to offer.

Whilst on the program you will:

• gain a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Government Investigations. Successful completion of this qualification is an important requirement of the program, and you will be provided with generous study time to support you.
• 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 First Nations Pathway Program specific support including buddies and other organisational networks.

Please note: While the First Nations Pathway Program provides an introduction to the various roles available at the AFP, this is not a direct gateway to becoming a police officer. If you are interested in sworn policing in the future, the First Nations Pathway Program is an excellent starting point to prepare you for this career path, however you will still be required to pass through the relevant processes applicable for sworn roles.

What We Are Looking For

• Effective communicators
• Out of the box thinkers
• Team players
• A demonstrated willingness to learn new skills
• Experience using basic IT including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and Outlook

Salary and Benefits

The AFP First Nations Pathway Program provides a number of benefits including:

• Generous salaries with a starting annual salary of $64,754 + 15.4% Superannuation
• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• Cultural, Ceremonial and NAIDOC leave
• 18 days of paid personal leave and 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
• Culturally safe recruitment and training process
• 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
• Opportunity for advancement at the completion of the program
• Professional networking through access to mentors and senior executives of the AFP
• Ongoing support from the Emerging Talent Team, First Nations Unit, First Nations Pathway Buddies, and the Mulunggang Indigenous Officer Network.
• Health & wellbeing services - with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• A variety of work and developmental experiences
• Further details and other generous employment conditions can be found in the AFP Enterprise Agreement.

Essential Requirements

• Provide confirmation of First Nations heritage documentation.
• Be at minimum 18 years of age by December 2025.
• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Able to meet the AFP Character Standards
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Desirable Requirements

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• Minimum 12 months of work experience preferred

Selection Criteria

The First Nations Pathway recruitment process will focus on your ability to demonstrate how you meet the below selection criteria throughout the recruitment process to assess applicants in conjunction with the AFP's Band 2 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

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

• Applicant pitch (maximum one pages). (attach this document in the applicant response field) 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 AFP's Band 2 Work Level Standards for the role and why you would like to be considered for the First Nations Pathway Program. 
• 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.
• Confirmation of Heritage - (attach this document in the Other Requested Documents field)
  • Provide documentation to confirm you are of First Nations heritage. Evidence of heritage is a document provided by a registered Indigenous community organisation, issuing a letter of confirmation.  
  • We understand that your heritage is something that is personal to you. We use the APS references confirmation of your heritage. This means we ask for documentation to confirm that you:
    • are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
    • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
    • are accepted as such by the community in which you live, or have formerly lived.
  • Receiving documentation confirming your First Nations heritage can be a long process, so we suggest beginning this well before you intend to apply. If you're not able to provide this documentation with your application, you can speak with our Emerging Talent Team.

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

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 upload a one page pitch in response to the Selection Criteria, and why you would like to be considered for the First Nations Pathway Program. 
• Please upload your Confirmation of First Nations Heritage. If you are unable to provide your documentation to confirm your First Nations heritage with your application, please contact the contact officer listed above to discuss further.
• 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 AFP Recruitment. Please also register for the SMS notification option as this will ensure you receive the latest updates and information.
• Due to expected large volume of applications, unsuccessful applicants will not receive summarised feedback regarding application. Successful applicants who progress to interview will receive feedback at the end of the recruitment process upon request.

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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contact and Closing Information

Contact Officer - Emerging Talent Team 

Phone - 02 5127 2555 (Option 3) 

Email -  emergingtalent@afp.gov.au

Applications close - 11:59pm (AEST) 01/06/2025

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