Senior Policy Officer (EL1 equivalent)

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 07 ($118,673.00 - $127,101.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14949

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.

3 Selling Points for External Job Boards Only

• Flex time 
• Generous leave entitlements (six weeks annual leave + paid Christmas stand down + 4 extra days rest leave)
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year

What is the role?

Do you enjoy challenging work? Want to make a difference working for the AFP? We are looking for experienced policy officers to join the AFP Strategy and Performance Office at the Team Leader level.

Policy officers in the AFP are responsible for managing the AFP’s engagement on legislative reform, new policy proposals, parliamentary inquiries, ministerial engagement, Cabinet processes and other strategic issues. Day to day work includes engagement with internal AFP teams working on serious and complex crime types such as terrorism; foreign interference and espionage; transnational, serious and organised crime; economic crime; cyber crime; online child exploitation and human trafficking.

We're interested in hearing from people who:

• Are comfortable working on a range of subject matters and pivoting efforts to address new and emerging policy issues.
• Have the ability to ask the right questions and find the solutions to novel problems.
• Are strong collaborators – our policy officers work hand-in-glove with policy departments, partner agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Are capable of leading a team, developing team members and creating a collaborative environment.

A Team Leader in the AFP is roughly equivalent to an EL1 / Assistant Director in the APS. 

What will you do?

• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand their operating environment and build an AFP position on new and emerging policy issues.
• Draft and consult on core policy documents, including ministerial submissions, submissions to parliamentary inquiries, question time briefs, senate estimates briefs and new policy proposals.
• Support AFP Senior Executive by drafting talking points and meeting briefs. 
• Review policy documents and proposals produced by policy departments and determine AFP equities and positions.
• For those employed in our Legislative Reform Team, develop policy proposals for law reform and review draft Bills.

As a Team Leader you will play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of each individual.

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.
• Contemporary knowledge and experience in government policy roles or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team.

Desirable Requirements

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

• Tertiary qualifications in law, political science, public policy, national security or criminology.
• Experience in a policy department.

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

Selection Criteria

• 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). 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 work level standards for the role. 
• List any other mandatory documents necessary for assessment of this role – e.g. educational or qualification certificates. This will be included as an uploaded document with the candidate application. Delete if no other documents are required.

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 asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include 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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer:  Emma,

Contact Officer Phone:  (02) 5126 6450, ​

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

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

www.afp.gov.au