Application process

From application to uniform, our recruitment team will guide you through our comprehensive application process.
Eligibility New recruits Apply now

The AFP is looking for everyday people from all walks of life to do legendary work. There’s no one type of person we’re looking for. Your unique skills, experience and perspective can help us protect Australia and Australian interests. 

Want to be part of Australia’s national policing agency but not sure how to go about it? Applying to become a sworn officer requires commitment and time investment. But don’t worry, after you apply, our Recruitment team will guide you every step of the way. We’ll stay in touch by email. You’ll always know what to do.

You'll be asked to complete the steps outlined below these may occur simultaneously or in a different order than displayed. 

When you pass this selection process, you'll join our merit pool. If selected from the pool, we’ll pay you to train at AFP College in Canberra or the Pinkenba Training Centre in Brisbane.

The selection process can be as quick as 6 months, but it's often up to 12 months depending on your personal circumstances. Try to complete your steps and respond to our questions as quickly as you can. If you need help, contact our Recruitment team.

  1. Apply

    Complete an online application via our website. This form takes approximately 10 minutes. You’ll need to include your CV and can include your qualifications.

    Our recruitment team will review your application. If you meet our eligibility requirements, and subject to our priority roles and locations, you’ll progress to the next stage. Your application may be put on hold if your preferences are outside of our priorities.

    Our current priority roles and locations are:

    Protective Service Officer

    • Pine Gap
    • Geraldton
    • Canberra
    • Perth
    • Sydney

    Community Policing

    • Canberra

    National Policing

    • Canberra
    • Sydney
    • Darwin 
  2. Online testing

    The online tests measure your cognitive ability (thinking skills) and ‘fit’ for the role.

    The tests are timed, with multiple components. You’ll need access to the internet in a quiet place to do the exam.

    You’ll have 14 days to complete the testing, and you’ll receive your outcome within 2-4 weeks. You can seek more time to complete the test, if you need to – just email AFPRecruitment@afp.gov.au.

    Don't bother searching the internet for practice tests – and definitely don't pay for one! Our online tests, including practice tests, are free and many of them will provide feedback on how to improve your results. 

    If you fail the online testing, you’ll be able to reapply within 12 months, with 3 attempts allowed in total. 

  3. Fitness assessment

    After you pass the online tests, we’ll invite you to do our Entry Physical Competency Assessment (EPCA).

    We’ll send you the details on how to book into the EPCA via our online booking tool. We’ll also provide you with a pre-exercise screening form, which you’ll need to complete and bring with you on the day.

    If you have certain medical conditions, you may need to obtain a medical clearance from a GP before you participate. 

    We hold fitness assessments around Australia throughout the year. You may undertake this assessment within a month of applying so please ensure that you are physically fit when applying.

    Prepare for the Entry Physical Competency Assessment

    The EPCA is our first fitness assessment. To pass the EPCA, you must complete 3 different exercises to a set standard.

    Check out our instructional video  on the EPCA to help you prepare.

    Outcome

    You’ll know on the day if you have passed your EPCA. You’ll have the opportunity to resit the EPCA another time if you don’t pass on your first attempt.

    To complete this exercise successfully, you must perform one valid sit-up at 4 different stages, in order. At each stage, the sit-up increases in difficulty. You can attempt each stage up to 2 times.

    For sit-ups to be valid, you must:

    • start the sit-up with your back flat on the floor
    • keep your knees at a 90-degree angle throughout the movement
    • keep both feet in contact with the ground at all times
    • keep both of your arms in contact with your body at all times
    • maintain control, without using the momentum of your body.
    Stage 1
    • Start with your arms outstretched, with your hands on your thighs.
    • Sit up to the point that your fingertips reach the top of your knees.
    Stage 2
    • Start with your arms outstretched, with your hands on your thighs.
    • Sit up to the point that your elbows reach the top of your knees, with arms outstretched.
    Stage 3
    • Start with your arms folded on your abdomen, with your hands gripping each opposite elbow.
    • Sit up to the point that your chest touches your thighs, and your arms pass over your knees.
    Stage 4
    • Start with your arms crossed over your chest, with your hands resting on your shoulders.

    Sit up to the point that your chest touches your thighs, and your arms pass over your knees.

    Applicants who identify as:

    • male must perform 15 valid push-ups
    • female must perform 8 valid push-ups
    • gender X must perform a number of valid push-ups as determined on a case-by-case basis following discussion with the applicant.

    For push-ups to be valid, you must:

    • complete all required push-ups in 60 seconds
    • maintain correct form, and adjust your form if asked
    • limit rest (at the top of the push-up) to no more than 3 seconds
    • begin with your body raised in a plank position, with your hands in line with your shoulders, your arms straight, and your toes on the floor
    • lower your body to within 5 cm of the floor, with your arms at a 90-degree angle
    • maintain a straight line through your body (from shoulders to heels) throughout the push-up
    • return to the start position, with your elbows straight.

    You must reach Level 6.5 on the beep test:

    • you'll get one attempt at the beep test
    • you can receive up to 2 warnings during the test
    • if you receive a third warning, your test will be over.

    You'll receive a warning if you:

    • start running or cross the marker before the relevant 'beep'
    • don't reach the mark (with your leading foot) before or on the relevant 'beep'
    • run a loop at the end of the turn (instead of turning around directly)
    • step in front of another applicant.
  4. Employment Suitability Questionnaire

    As a law enforcement agency, this step is really important.

    The Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) helps us understand your character.

    Along with your traffic history, we use it to assess whether you meet our character standards.

    You'll be asked a series of questions, including whether you have:

    • any criminal history or prior convictions (at any age)
    • any associations with people or groups who are well-known to law enforcement
    • spent any significant periods overseas
    • travelled regularly to places of interest to the AFP.

    You'll provide us with a traffic history from any place you have held a valid driver's licence. This includes any licence you've held overseas. Your traffic history must cover your entire driving history.

    Documentation required

    At the time you complete your ESQ and provide your traffic history, we’ll ask you to upload the following documents: 

    • A copy of your driver’s licence (front and back)
    • Proof of Australian Citizenship
    • Education documentation – a minimum of Year 10 or higher.

    Advice

    Our best tip? Read the requirements carefully, be honest and give us everything we need. Just because you declare something, it won’t rule you out. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis taking into account a range of factors including the nature of the offence, frequency and recency of the occurrence and age at the time of the offence.

    Get a copy of your traffic history no more than 3 months before the date you send it to us.

    Outcome

    If you don't meet our character standards, the decision is final – it can’t be appealed or reviewed. If you don't pass this step we’ll let you know, however we don’t provide any feedback. 

  5. Assessment centre

    We’ll assess you in person or online, depending on your location, through our Assessment centre.

    What to expect?

    You’ll take part in team-based activities, scenarios and an interview. 

    • AFP staff, including police officers and protective service officers, will be assessing you against the following core competencies:
    • Deciding and initiating action
    • Working with people
    • Analysing 
    • Adhering to principles and values.  
    • Coping with pressure and setbacks
    • Presenting and communicating information.

    When we invite you to attend an assessment centre, you can prepare by:

    • Understanding the AFP and AFP values, the role you are applying for, your motivations and how your current skills and experience will help you in the role
    • Learning about and using the STAR method when providing examples in your interview.

    Outcome

    Our Recruitment Team will contact you to let you know the outcome within 2 weeks - either way. If unsuccessful, you can ask for feedback and reapply in 12 months.  

  6. Security assessment

    The AFP Personnel Security Vetting Team will look at your past, going back at least 10 years.

    They'll review:

    • Your employment, travel, residential, financial and personal history
    • Any history of disregarding the law
    • Any significant periods you've spent living in other countries
    • Regular travel abroad to regions of interest.

    They also do a security check on your partner, if you have one.

    You may already hold a security clearance from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). If so, you might get through this check faster than others.

    You will be asked for fingerprints and palm prints. Your biometric data is checked in the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System managed by the Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission.

    Documents required

    Once your security pack has been provided, our recruitment team will ask for:

    • Evidence of current first aid and CPR certifications
    • Signed swim certificate demonstrating you can swim 100m freestyle (front crawl), untimed and unaided. Signed off by a qualified instructor at your local pool using the AFP provided form.
       
  7. Health assessment

    As a part of your medical assessment, you’ll attend an appointment with our contracted health service provider. If you have any relevant medical history or conditions, you’ll need to take along reports from your GP or specialist. These reports will be used to assess your medical condition.

    In some cases, the examining doctor may need additional information from your treating doctor or specialist. If so, the required forms will be provided to you at the appointment, and any associated costs will be your responsibility. If you don’t provide the required reports, your application will be delayed.

    For a full list of health standards please read AFP Recruitment Health Assessment Standards.

    File icon
    AFP Recruitment Health Assessment Standards
    (pdf, 464.54 KB)

    If you have a condition or injury that requires further information or specialist reports, the following will need to be addressed:

    • Diagnosis and prognosis
    • Treatment given
    • Current condition on examination/functional assessment
    • Recent relevant investigations/any restrictions required
    • Ability to meet the Inherent Requirements

    Once you have successfully completed all required parts of the selection process, our Recruitment Team will contact you to discuss potential start dates for your AFP recruit training. 

    The AFP will pay for your travel to and from the AFP College. We’ll also pay, accommodate and feed you at no cost during recruit training. 

    Later on, we hold the Physical Competency Assessment (PCA) at AFP College in Canberra. When you pass the EPCA, you can start preparing for the PCA by following the AFP Pre-course Fitness Program.

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