Register of Interest - 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway Program

Job Details

JOB TITLE - Register of Interest - 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway Program

EMPLOYMENT TYPE Ongoing Full Time

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

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 2 | $66,502 + 15.4% superannuation

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14808

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

REGISTER OF INTEREST CLOSES - 11:59pm (AEDT) 26/04/2026

Register Your Interest

The Register of Interest for the 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway Program is now open. 

Please note: this is a register of interest only and not an application for the 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway 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 27th of April 2026. 

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. At the AFP, everyday people do legendary work in over 200 diverse roles. With more than than 40 career paths, there are jobs that challenge your heart, muscle, and mind. For a glimpse of what your future career might look like, check out our video. 

What is the roles?

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 Requirement

• 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 Requirement

• Minimum 12 months of work experience preferred

Employment Suitability

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.
• 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 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway Program and does not require any documentation to be uploaded. Please do not upload a response to the selection criteria or a 1 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 2027 AFP First Nations Pathway Program opens. We anticipate applications to open on Monday 27th of April 2026. 

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 a disability.