Entry Level Recruit Program Police and Protective Service Officer

Applications are now open.

• Do you want to make a difference in the community? 
• Do you want a challenging and highly rewarding career in law enforcement? 
• Are you a fit, healthy, resilient individual looking for a diverse, inclusive and supportive organisation? 

Take the first steps to join the Australian Federal Police today. 

At the Australian Federal Police (AFP), you will get a career that delivers variety, a collaborative and inclusive culture, unique challenges and the reward of protecting Australians and Australia's interests from serious crime. Your AFP career will commence as an entry level recruit with world leading training at the AFP College and you will commence earning a salary at the start of your recruit course. Both recruit courses provide the opportunity to obtain either the POL41215 Certificate IV in Protective Services or POL50124 Diploma of Policing. Following graduation, you will commence an exciting career as a Police Officer or Protective Service Officer (PSO) in the AFP, enabling you to make a difference in the community by combatting crime and protecting others.

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 culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations people and women.  

Please reach out to AFPRecruitment@afp.gov.au if you have any questions or require assistance submitting your application.  
 

WHAT CAREER PATHWAYS CAN YOU EXPECT AS AN ENTRY LEVEL RECRUIT?

Want a career as a Protective Service Officer?

Upon graduation from the College, PSOs will receive, $72,690 (this is inclusive of a base salary and 22% composite) Penalties and overtime will be paid on top of this amount.  15.4 per cent superannuation will also be paid, including during all periods of maternity leave. 

Protective Service Officer (PSO) opportunities exist nationally within Commonwealth assets and critical infrastructure across Australia, including Parliament House and key Defence locations across Australia. 

PSO’s are trained to deny, detect, deter and disrupt any criminal activity and respond to criminal and national security threats and respond to criminal activity by:

• Utilising a myriad of specialist responses. 
• Undertaking national protective security and providing a first response capability at sites of interest.
• Reporting, collating and retrieving data for operational purposes.

As a PSO, protecting sites of interest is critical to day to day operations of the  AFP where a proactive and intelligence based approach is taken to ensure the AFP can outsmart crime. 

PSO’s operate within the AFP’s Specialist Protective Command across regional Commands. PSO’s keep individuals and interests identified by the Commonwealth as being at risk safe from acts of terrorism, violent protest and issues motivated by violence.

PSO’s provide high visibility preventative and response services to clients for the protection of designated Commonwealth establishments, diplomatic and consular missions as well as High Office holders, Dignitaries and Internationally Protected Persons within Australia and overseas.

These establishments include:

• Defence establishments.
• Airports and Surveillance.
• Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
• Diplomatic missions.
• Parliamentary sites.
• Designated official establishments.
• Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands.
• Christmas Island Detention Centre.

In order to achieve this, PSO’s perform a range of high visibility vehicle, foot and bike patrols and static protection.   PSO’s are also trained in counter terrorism first response capabilities at these establishments. Including Active Armed Offender Training and Short Barrel Rifle training as part of the Protection Operations Response Teams.

There are great opportunities to work in our remote locations such as Pine Gap, Geraldton and Exmouth. Those willing to deploy to required locations will potentially be selected for courses more quickly. Please note you are not guaranteed your preferred location and if you are successful in receiving an offer, the deployment location will be based on the operational requirements of the AFP and the Australian Community. 

Take the next step and find out more about a career as PSO on the AFP Careers Entry Level recruit page

Want a career as a Police Officer?

Upon graduation from the College, Police Officers will receive $81,181 (this is inclusive of a base salary and 22 % composite). Penalties and overtime will be paid on top of this amount. 15.4 per cent superannuation will also be paid, including during all periods of maternity leave.

Policing opportunities exist within National Investigations, Airport Policing and in ACT Community Policing.

Police officers investigate and prevent crimes against the Commonwealth and protect Commonwealth interests in Australia and overseas. Police officers also contribute to a safe and secure environment in Australia and its Territories. This may include:

• Investigating breaches of law using contemporary police methodologies, assessing available information or evidence and finding appropriate law enforcement response.
• Conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects during the course of an investigation.
• Undertaking a range of tasks associated with the collection, preparation and presentation of evidence to assist the judicial process.
• Liaising with prosecution agencies to assist in the effective investigation and successful resolution of criminal matters.
• Attending court and giving evidence as required.
• Maintaining law and criminal investigation processes through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.
• Maintaining knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system, components of offences and the social impacts of policing.

The three main policing roles you could find yourself performing are:

1. Community Police Officers - in this role you can expect to attend incidents involving many crime types, such as; homicide, assault and other offences against a person; robbery and burglary; vehicle theft and property damage and other offences including deception, weapon, drug and public order offences.
    
2. Airport Uniform Policing - in this role you will predominately provide an operational response to a range of AFP operations, including protective security specific to an Australian airport.
    
3. Investigations - in this role you will investigate and prevent crimes against the Commonwealth, including the extension beyond state, national and international borders.

Please Note: Opportunities may exist for police recruits to be deployed to all state commands: Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.  Please note that you are not guaranteed a position or your preferred location and if you are successful in receiving an offer, the deployment location will be based on the operational requirements of the AFP and the Australian Community. 

Take the next step and find out more about a career as a Police Officer on the AFP Careers Entry Level recruit page

Can I apply yet and am I eligible?

All applicants are required to submit their interest by clicking Apply Now and answering some simple questions designed to assess your eligibility.  Please ensure that you meet the minimum entry standards at the time you submit your interest.  

What are the minimum entry standards – am I eligible? To apply for entry level recruit roles, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen.
• Be 18 years of age or older. 
• Education:
  • a Year 10 Certificate + 2 years of work experience, OR
  • a Year 10 Certificate + a nationally recognised vocational education qualification Certificate III level or higher, OR
  • a Year 12 Certificate, OR
  • a vocational education qualification / tertiary qualification Diploma level or higher.
• Hold a valid Australian driver’s licence (P Plates are accepted however, if you have a learners licence please apply once you have your provisional licence).
• Provide evidence of having two primary doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Janssen Vaccine at the time of application (evidence can be provided in the form of an immunisation history statement or COVID-19 Digital Certificate).
• Provide evidence that you can swim 100 metres freestyle, have a current First Aid and CPR certifications.

How do I take the next step?

Submit your interest today!

Once you have submitted your application, please continue to monitor your email address for updates and invitations from recruitment to complete the various gateways. We encourage you to register for the SMS notification option as this will ensure you receive the latest updates and information.

The recruitment process consists of the following gateways (in no particular order): 

1. Online application. 
2. AFP Entrance Exam.
3. Fitness Assessment.
4. 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.
5. Interview and assessment centre.
6. Security Clearance.
7. Medical and psychological assessments.
8. Provide evidence that you can swim 100 metres freestyle, have a current First Aid and CPR certifications.
9. Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
10. Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include urine, saliva or hair.
11. Merit Pool.

The process can take up to 12 months to finalise.  If you successfully complete the recruitment process, you will then be added to a Merit Pool. While we regularly run courses throughout the year, how soon you may be placed on a course can depend on a variety of factors, including your personal preferences for particular locations or roles. We appreciate your patience and commitment throughout the process.

If you have any further questions please contact AFPRecruitment@afp.gov.au

Take the next step

Take the first step in your next career move.  It is really easy - just create your profile and follow the prompts to finalise your registration.

Be at the front line of law enforcement and help the AFP continue to adapt to meet the evolving environment in policing for a safer Australia.  

Additional information can be found on the AFP Careers Entry Level recruit page, which includes:

• Candidate information packs.
• Details on the roles, remuneration and benefits.
• Details on the recruitment process, including mandatory gateways.

Please read our Candidate Packs for further information

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is an operational priority for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). To be an effective police force, we must be reflective of the community we serve, working across languages, cultures and transnational borders. The 2023-26 Diversity & Inclusion Strategy is the guiding framework for delivering the AFP’s diversity and inclusion goals and reflecting our commitment to being an employer of choice, incorporating diversity and inclusion principles in day-to-day practice and building a psychologically and culturally safe workplace. This includes hiring people from diverse backgrounds who bring their lived experience to contribute, and add value, to the AFP. Find out more about how the AFP embraces diversity and inclusion.

Contacts and Closing Information

AFP Band & Salary - Band 02 ($59,582.00 - $69,224.00), $59,582 - $64,131

Contact Officer - AFP Recruitment

Contact Officer Email - AFPRecruitment@afp.gov.au

Applications Close - 11:59pm (AEST) 31 December 2024