Register of Interest - 2028 AFP Graduate Program

AFP international; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 77,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible and hybrid working

Paid annual leave

Job summary

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) invites graduates to apply for the 2028 Graduate Program. You will rotate through multiple business areas, receive focused development, mentorship and hands-on projects while preparing for a permanent role after 12 months.

Eligibility includes finishing a bachelor degree in the last five years, Australian citizenship, and ability to obtain a security clearance. Relocation to Canberra is provided where needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree completed in the last five years (2023 or later) or expected to complete by December 2027.
• Australian citizenship at time of application in 2027.
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a 12‑month program with three rotations across different business areas.
• Engage in tailored training, mentorship and hands-on experience.
• Launch into a permanent position at the program end.
• Contribute to national and international operations within the AFP.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Arts, Humanities and Justice

Business

Health Science

Information Technology

Law

Media and Communications

Science

Social Science

Job description

Register of Interest - 2028 AFP Graduate Program

Register of Interest - 2028 Graduate Program

JOB TITLE - Register of Interest - 2028 AFP Graduate Program

LOCATION - Roles are based in Canberra and candidates will be required to relocate if securing a role.

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 3 | $77,264 + 15.4% superannuation

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15886

APPLICATIONS CLOSE - 11:59pm (AEDT)28/02/2027

Giving University Graduates 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?

We are seeking enthusiastic and driven graduates to join our agency in a variety of roles. If you are a university graduate 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 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.

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 intelligence, forensics, ICT, finance and human resources and many more vital areas of the AFP.

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.

What is the role?

The AFP Graduate Program gives university graduates a unique path to a range of challenging and rewarding roles. As a graduate you will be empowered to contribute to national and international operations while developing your expertise through tailored training, mentorship and hands‑on experience. You will receive bespoke opportunities tailored to developing our future leaders.

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’ll launch straight into an exciting career in a specialist or support team in the area that recruited you, with a guaranteed permanent position.

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 on our broader communities.

As a graduate, you'll have access to:

• a structured professional development program
• a variety of work with 3 rotations across different business areas
• personal and professional development
• monthly meetings, run by graduates for graduates
• our Graduate Support team

As a member of the 2028 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.

What We Are Looking For

Our professional roles are the backbone of our success. We are not just looking for graduates, we are looking for innovators, problem solvers and future leaders. We are looking for applicants with strong analytical, problem solving and communications skills, with a commitment to integrity, teamwork and public service.Whilst the AFP welcomes applications from all eligible graduates, degrees in the following fields will be very highly regarded:

• Arts, Humanities and Justice (counterterrorism, criminal justice, criminology, international relations, intelligence, languages, policy, security analysis or national security)
• Business (accounting, auditing, commerce, finance, human resources, industrial relations, project or change management)
• Health Science (exercise science, human movement, kinesiology, nursing, occupational therapy)
• Information Technology (computer and data science, cybersecurity, electronics or mechatronics, programming, network engineering, system administration)
• Law (Although AFP welcomes Law degrees, we are unable to sponsor practical legal training certificate (PLT), through the Graduate program.)
• Media and Communications (communications, graphic design, media, visual arts)
• Science (forensic science)
• Social Science (psychology, social work)

Salary and Benefits

The AFP Graduate Program provides a number of benefits including:

• Generous salaries with a starting in 2027 an annual salary of $77,264 + 15.4% Superannuation
• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
• 18 days of paid personal leave and 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year
• 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;
• Further details and other generous employment conditions can be found in the AFP Enterprise Agreement .

You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application in 2027;

• You must have finished at least a bachelor degree in the last five years (2023 or later) or be set to complete your degree in a relevant field by no later than December 2027 and be recognised in Australia by the Department of Education , Australian Overseas Qualifications Unit;
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Employment Suitability

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your charecter and you 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.
• Satisfactory undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

For further information on positions, and other employment opportunities in the AFP, please visit our website or contact the contact officer listed on the job ad.

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.