Our organisational structure

We are a Portfolio agency of the Department of Home Affairs.

Our organisational structure is designed to ensure we continue to respond to the increasingly complex threat environment in an agile and considered way.

We have key areas of responsibility that drive strategic initiatives and activities in our Corporate Plan.

Commissioner

Our Commissioner handles management, strategic planning and policy. They are accountable to the Australian Parliament and the Minister of Home Affairs. 

Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) ensures the AFP frontline is able to deliver on protecting Australians and Australia’s interests. This includes overseeing strategy and enterprise-wide operations enabling support for our workforce, including training, facilities, procurement, governance, health and wellbeing, legal support and the AFP’s integrity framework. 

The COO portfolio leads our corporate and enabling functions. This includes:

• Strategy and Performance Office, including Communications & Customs
• Chief Financial Officer
• Learning and Development 
• Chief Counsel
• People
• Professional Standards

The COO also oversees the Australian Institute of Police Management, a leading educational institution for police and emergency services. They also host the Pacific Faculty of Policing and lead involvement in law enforcement think-tank events and forums. 

Operation Hampton sits under the oversight of the COO and is the AFP’s internal coordination and response team in support of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. 

Deputy Commissioner Capability

The Deputy Commissioner Capability leads efforts to strengthen the agency’s intelligence, science, and technology functions to achieve better and more efficient outcomes. This role also oversees the agency’s security, ensuring a robust and resilient posture.

The portfolio includes:

• Intelligence & Forensics
• Security, Capability & Resilience
• Technology Operations (Chief Information Officer)
• Eastern Command.

Deputy Commissioner National Security Investigations

The Deputy Commissioner National Security Investigations protects Australia's national security interests. Focussing on targeting the high harm and high value targets that undermine Australia’s sovereignty, stability and democratic integrity. Protecting vulnerable communities is a key driver that centres on prioritising social cohesion and securing the prosperity of future generations.

The Deputy Commissioner National Security Investigations portfolio works with our key domestic and international partners in combatting crime and corruption.

The portfolio includes:

• Counter Terrorism 
• Crime
• Cyber & Special Investigations
• Southern Command.

Deputy Commissioner Global Operations & Regional Security

The Deputy Commissioner Global Operations & Regional Security is responsible for leading our global strategic and operational efforts. This includes building and strengthening international partnerships, combatting and deterring crime offshore, combatting human exploitation (through the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE)), undertaking capacity-building missions, and contributing to regional stability. This portfolio also leads the AFP’s national security posture for aviation protection and AUKUS.

With more than 200 members in over 35 countries, the AFP is among Australia’s first line of defence, supporting national security interests and protecting Australians at home and abroad. See all the locations where we operate.

The portfolio includes: 

• Global Strategy 
• Global Operations 
• Defence & Aviation 
• Northern Command
• Central Command 
• Western Command.

The portfolio also includes the Asia Pacific Group.

Deputy Commissioner Community Policing & Protection and Chief Police Officer for the ACT

The Deputy Commissioner Community Policing & Protection is responsible for leading community policing and protection functions across the AFP. The Deputy Commissioner Community Policing & Protection is responsible for the AFP’s operating model. 

As Chief Police Officer for the ACT, they are responsible for the delivery of a professional, effective and community-focussed policing service by ACT Policing, in partnership with the community and ACT Government.

This role oversees the safeguarding and protection of Protection Establishments and precincts within the ACT, protection of Dignitaries nationally and provides specialist response capabilities to support the frontline.  

The portfolio includes: 

• ACT Policing
• Canberra, Specialist & Dignitary Protection.