Canberra | Australian Federal Police

Home of the AFP

Canberra is home to our national headquarters and training college.

For many, it's their first introduction to life in the AFP. But many staff choose to continue working in Canberra thanks to the variety of work and the relaxed lifestyle.

We protect critical sites and people across the ACT.

We also protect Australia against serious criminal threats like terrorism, drug trafficking and people smuggling.

Our work in the ACT

Over half of AFP's 8,000 staff work in Canberra as:

AFP officers and support staff work from:

AFP National Headquarters in the Edmund Barton Building, Barton
AFP College, Barton
AFP Forensics Facility, Majura
Canberra Airport
4 ACT Policing stations.

Start your AFP career with us in Canberra. Get the skills and experience to apply for work across Australia and around the world.

Find out how you can join the AFP.

Protection services in Canberra

As a protective service officer in Canberra, you'll protect Australian places, people and the diplomatic community. You'll be a first responder to national security threats.

Our protective service officers keep people and places safe from terrorism, violent protests and other events motivated by violence. This includes providing:

highly visible uniformed security at places like Parliament House
close personal protection to Australian and foreign dignitaries
witness protection
security and advice for major government, diplomatic and public events.

Protective service officers work in some of Canberra's iconic locations:

Australian Parliament House
Government House
the award-winning Canberra Airport.

Learn more about AFP's protection services.

Discover what it takes to protect Australia's highest office holders at Australia Parliament House.

Dan

Protective Service Inspector

National policing in Canberra

As a national police officer in Canberra, you'll protect Australia from serious criminal threats. You'll gather intelligence to combat crime in Australia and overseas.

Our police officers focus on threats arising from:

But we don’t work alone. In the AFP, you'll work with partner agencies here and overseas. Together, you'll keep Australians safe and protect Australia's interests.

Join Australia’s national policing agency. Find your pathway to a national police job in Canberra.

Community policing in the ACT

We partner with the ACT Government to provide community policing for the people of the ACT.

As a police officer in ACT Policing, you'll often be the first point of contact when the public needs help.

You'll also work with the community to address:

victim-based crime
threats to community safety
serious and organised crime
road safety.

Find your pathway to being a police officer in ACT Policing.

Living in Canberra

Canberra is a vibrant city with a laid-back vibe. In 2024, Oxford Economics rated it as the second-best city in the world for quality of life.

In Canberra, you can build your AFP career and still have time for fun.

Enjoy hobbies and sport, meeting friends at a cafe, bar or restaurant or get out in nature. As the nation's capital, you'll also have access to world-class exhibitions and performances.

Canberra is perfectly located to enjoy: