Senior Lawyer & Lawyer - AFP Operations Legal

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time; Temporary Full time for a period of up to 24 months

LOCATION - ACT; NSW; VIC

AFP BAND & SALARY - Broadband 3-8 (Legal) ($72,339.00 - $138,349.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14427

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 + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 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?

AFP Legal is an internal legal practice delivering legal services to the AFP across the spectrum of AFP activities both domestically and overseas. AFP Legal lawyers work in a dynamic and intellectually challenging environment providing legal advice and assistance in areas including criminal law, evidence law, information law, national security law, and administrative law.

Applications are sought from suitably qualified, professional, enthusiastic and committed lawyers wishing to be considered for the role of Senior Lawyer or Lawyer – AFP Operations Legal. 

AFP Operations Legal is responsible for providing advice and assistance to the AFP in relation to its law enforcement activities and investigations, including in relation to legislative reform, the exercise of police powers, the disclosure of information, the protection of sensitive capabilities, the preparation of briefs of evidence for criminal prosecutions, and court applications for post sentence orders for high risk violent and terrorist offenders.  

This is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant legal practice that has a diverse and exciting range of work, and is committed to the development of its lawyers, and the  maintenance of a supportive and flexible working environment.

Roles within the AFP Legal Operations team also attract 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 2024- 2027, 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.

As an employee of 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?

Senior Lawyers or Lawyers in the AFP Operations Legal team are responsible for providing high quality, cost effective professional legal services that directly support the operational activities of the AFP. Our lawyers provide advice and assistance on diverse areas of law including (but not limited to): administrative law, information law, criminal law and evidence law. Lawyers may also undertake work involving the drafting of legal documents, managing litigation for post sentence orders for high risk violent and terrorist offenders, and supervising other junior lawyers.

Further information regarding the requirements of these roles, and guidance on the process, can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

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.
• All applicants must either hold a current practising certificate or be eligible to apply for one.
• Hold tertiary qualifications in law and possess contemporary relevant legal knowledge and experience.
• A minimum of 1-5 years post admission experience for lawyers and 5+ years post admission experience for senior lawyers.

Desirable Skills

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

• Experience in statutory applications for continuing detention order, extended supervision orders or similar orders in relation to terrorist offenders or other high risk offenders

• Experience in litigation across a range of courts and tribunals including State parole authorities and mental health tribunals

• Experience in criminal law, information law, and / or administrative law

• Experience working in a national security or law enforcement environment

Additional Information

Positions may be filled at the AFP Band 3 to 8 levels, within the AFP Legal Officer Broadband 3 - 8, depending upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate. When applying you will be asked to nominate your preferred role for consideration, please note final determination of the role and band level you are found suitable for is at the discretion of the panel.

Note: Current AFP lawyers are not eligible to apply for a promotion or advancement through this process.

• These roles are located in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne

Selection Criteria

Bands 3-5

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

Band 6 and above

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge 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). The two page pitch will be used to assess you against the Positions – Role Scope and selection criteria.
• Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role as a Senior Lawyer or Lawyer, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, desirable skills Position – Role Scope 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.

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 invited to 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 LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer:  Sharon Fleming,

Contact Officer Phone:  02 5126 3340, ​

Contact Officer Email:  Sharon.Fleming@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 08/05/2025

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

www.afp.gov.au