Operational Support Officer - Exmouth & HMAS Stirling - WA

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - WA

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 04 ($87,836.00 - $103,256.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15742

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’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

• 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
• With Exmouth being a geographically remote location, you will be entitled to receive a Remote Locality Allowance and a Remote Capability payment

What is the role?

Applications are sought from suitably qualified candidates wishing to be considered for the role of Operational Support Officer at the Harold E Holt Defence establishment - Exmouth Western Australia and HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, Western Australia.

Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt 

The Australian Federal Police are stationed at Exmouth in support of the Department of Defence.

Naval Communication Station Harold E. Holt is located 6 kilometres north of the town of Exmouth, Western Australia. The town of Exmouth was built at the same time as the Communications Station to provide support to the base and to house dependent families of U.S. Navy personnel. The town is located 1,270 kilometres north of Perth and 3,366 kilometres southwest of Darwin.

HMAS Stirling, Rockingham

The Australian Federal Police are working with the Australian Submarine Agency and the Department of Defence, to deliver an armed protection capability at HMAS Stirling, in support of the AUKUS initiative. 

HMAS Stirling is the largest Royal Australian Naval base in Australia, and the Defence and Aviation Command is responsible for delivery of the AFPs security overlay in support of the Australian Nuclear Submarine Program under the AUKUS initiative.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Officer in Charge (OIC) and Protective Service Sergeants at their respective stations, providing strong administrative and operational support to ensure a high standard of service delivery.

As an Operational Support Officer, you will liaise with internal and external stakeholders and take a collaborative approach to achieving team outcomes, so strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential. We are looking for someone who is able to organise their work and demonstrate good judgement and decision making to ensure a high standard of service delivery is always maintained.

You will also 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?

• Support and assist with the Quintiq system (rostering and time recording) across Protection stations, including problem solving, cross checking, auditing, reviewing functions, and liaising with subject matter experts.
• Manage station roster record keeping.
• Oversee fleet management, including inspection and maintenance records, end of month odometer readings (EOM-ODO), vehicle servicing, repairs, replacement, and logbook auditing for tax purposes.
• Handle finance and procurement tasks such as research, purchasing, acquittals, and coding invoices appropriately.
• Prepare for and coordinate meetings, including logistics, visitor access, agenda setting, invitations, minute taking, tracking action items, catering, and ICT equipment setup.
• Manage station/office maintenance and stationery/supplies inventory.
• Administer record management through researching, reviewing, filing, archiving, electronic filing, and scanning.
• Manage multiple station Outlook email mailboxes.
• Participate in station and role-related projects such as WHS package implementation, Key Watcher security and access, internal building upgrades, Microsoft Teams migration, archiving and electronic filing projects, shared drive records management, and process improvement research.
• Provide executive support including reporting, timeline and deadline tracking, data management, and meeting support.
• Communicate and share information formally and informally using various channels such as email, MS Teams, and meetings.
• Demonstrate the capacity to ask pertinent questions, identify effective solutions, uphold integrity, and foster team cohesion and consistency across multiple teams.
• Collaborate with other Operational Support Officers, providing advice and guidance as required.
• Provide backfill support during leave/absence for other Operational Support Officers across Protection stations.
• Assist the Leadership team (OIC, Sergeants) when required and complete ad hoc administrative tasks as required.
• Follow established policies and adhere to AFP core values and Defence procedures/protocols.
• Liaise with the Department of Defence and other stakeholders as necessary.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with multiple teams
• Demonstrate high level attention to detail
• Excellent time management & interpersonal skills
• Be comfortable and adaptable to changing priorities
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite of applications, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word
• Shows good judgement in allocating priorities to day-to-day work tasks in the broader context of team and AFP priorities
• Willing to work in a geographically remote location, Exmouth applicants.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of AFP Enterprise Agreement, policy processes and procedures.
• Willingness to take up opportunities offered to gain exposure to broader organisational needs.

Additional Information

• This role is an AFP Band 4 Level

For applicants interested in the HMAS Stirling position:

• This role is located in Rockingham, Western Australia and applicants are expected to be based in this region.

For applicants interested in the Exmouth-based position:

• This role is located in Exmouth, Western Australia, and applicants are expected to be based in Exmouth. National travel may be required.
• The successful candidate must secure their own accommodation.
• Successful applicant must be willing to relocate to Exmouth.

Selection Criteria

Bands 2-5

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

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

We’re all individuals and we love that. 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:  Tanin Finnigan,

Contact Officer Phone:  02 51266188, ​

Contact Officer Email:  tania.finnigan@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 31/03/2026

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

www.afp.gov.au