Register of Interest - 2026 AFP Graduate Program

Register of Interest - 2026 AFP Graduate Program

JOB TITLE - Register of Interest - 2026 AFP Graduate Program

LOCATION - Various, however roles are predominately based in Canberra and candidates will be required to relocate if securing a role.

AFP BAND - Band 03 ($69,224.00 - $80,821.00), $69,224.00 + 15.4% superannuation

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 13437

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

REGISTER OF INTEREST CLOSES - 11:59pm (AEDT) 02/03/2025

Register Your Interest

The Register of Interest for the 2026 AFP Graduate Program is now open. 
 
Please note: this is a register of interest only and not an application for the 2026 AFP Graduate Program. Once your registration has been submitted, your details will be stored on our system, and you will be the first to be notified when applications open. We anticipate applications to open on Monday 3rd of March 2025. 

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

If you are a university graduate and interested in launching a fulfilling career with us, we offer a wide range of opportunities for graduates who are willing to contribute to meaningful and life-impacting policies, programs and practices that will shape the security landscape of Australia.
 
As Australia’s national policing agency, our role is to protect Australians and Australia's interests from serious criminal threats. In a time of rapidly evolving criminal activity, our global networks and world-leading expertise across multiple areas helps us stay a step ahead.
 
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.

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 + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
• 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

Role Summary

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. 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 will return to work in the area that recruited you. 
 
As a member of the 2026 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
• complete corporate and community based activities.

What We Are Looking For

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

• Business (Accounting, Human Resources/Industrial Relations, Commerce, Project Management, Taxation, Finance)
• Education
• Engineering & Computer Science (Information Technology, Software Engineering, Electronics, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Cyber Security, System Administration)
• Health (Nursing, Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy, Health Sciences)
• Law (Legal Studies, Law and Justice, Policy)
• Criminology (Security Studies, Counter Terrorism, Intelligence & Security)
• Arts, Humanities and Justice (International Relations, International Studies)
• Arts and Design (Communication and Media)
• Science (Forensics)
• Social Science (Psychology, Anthropology)

 
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the core values of the AFP.
 
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 and First Nations people.

Essential Requirement

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application in March 2025;
• You must have finished at least a bachelor degree in the last five years (2021 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.

Employment Suitablity

Should you apply for the program when applications open, please be aware that if your application progresses to shortlisting 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.
• Proof of a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made. 
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Additional Information

Please note: this is a register of interest only and not an application for the 2026 AFP Graduate Program and does not require any documentation to be uploaded. Please do not upload a response to the selection criteria or a 2-page pitch - there is no written element required for this Register of Interest.

Once your registration has been submitted, your details will be stored on our system, and you will be the first to be notified when applications open.  Please continue to monitor your email address (including junk and spam folders) for updates from AFP Emerging Talent Team for when applications in the 2026 AFP Graduate Program open. We anticipate applications to open on Monday 3rd of March 2025. 

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.