Protecting Australia’s Remote Communities

Live regionally. Make an impact nationally. Recruiting now for Protective Service Officers in Alice Springs and Geraldton.
New recruits Eligibility Apply now

Join the AFP as a Protective Service Officer

We’re growing our team across regional Australia and looking for passionate people ready to jump into a role that’s exciting, rewarding and meaningful.

Protective Service Officers (PSOs) in regional locations perform critical national security functions at locations such as Defence sites and intelligence facilities. Working as a PSO in a remote location offers more than just a career – it’s a lifestyle that allows work life balance. 

You’ll receive generous remote allowances, work in a tightknit community and have the opportunity to make a real impact.

There has never been a better time to work for Australia’s national policing agency.
 

AFP Protective Service Officer holding bike with back to camera

What you’ll do

As a PSO in a remote location, you will:

  • patrol the facility by drone, on foot, bike, or in a vehicle
  • provide high-visibility patrols and protection of Defence and intelligence facilities
  • act as a frontline defender against national security threats and organised crime
     

Where we need you

Regional communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory are calling. Your skills are needed where they’ll make the biggest impact.

We are currently recruiting for Protective Service Officers for Geraldton and Alice Springs. Additional vacancies also become available from time to time for roles in Exmouth

Police officer with Geraldton behind them
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Geraldton WA

A laid-bak coastal city.

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Alice Springs NT

Adventure in Central Australia.

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Key benefits

Get paid to train

Earn while you learn during 15 weeks of paid training.

Salary

Competitive base salary, plus additional remote location allowances.

Superannuation

15.4% - even while on parental leave.

Basic eligibility

18+ Australian citizen, fit and active, driver’s licence, and demonstrate good character.

How much do I earn?

PSOs deployed to any of the three remote locations receive competitive pay, including additional allowances on top of their base salary.

After graduating from the AFP College, PSOs earn a base salary of $78,960*. Those deployed to one of the three remote locations receive extra annual allowances, including the Remote Defence Capability Payment, Remote Localities Allowance, and Use of Force Allowance (see breakdown below).

This boosts the total salary to $119,930 for PSOs starting out in Pine Gap and Exmouth, and $92,668 for those based in Geraldton.

LocationRemote Defence Capability PaymentRemote Localities Allowance**Use of Force Allowance***Total salary
Exmouth, WA$30,000 per annum$10,970 per annum$3,000 per annum$119,930 per annum
Geraldton, WA$10,000 per annum$3,708 per annum$3,000 per annum$92,668 per annum
Pine Gap, NT$30,000 per annum$10,970 per annum$3,000 per annum$119,930 per annum

*Salary is inclusive of a 22% composite. 
**The annual payment of the Use of Force (UoF) allowance is dependent on members successfully holding and maintaining a UoF certification.
***Total salary is inclusive of base salary, plus 22% composite, Remote Defence Capability Payment, Remote Localities Allowance and Use of Force Allowance. 

Leave, pay and benefits

Why join us in remote locations?

Working in our remote locations offers more than just beautiful scenery – they provide a chance to make a meaningful contribution where it matters most.

  • enjoy a work-life balance in unique, close-knit communities
  • receive generous remote allowances
  • gain experience working in nationally significant sites
  • develop specialist capabilities and grow your skillset in areas such as drone operation. rapid appraisal of hazardous materials, and short-barrelled rifle training
  • access career development and on-the-job training opportunities
  • be part of a supportive team making a real impact.
     

Ann's story

When you're on night shift, you can see the milky way so clearly. And you're getting paid to experience this.

Anne

Protective Service Officer, Pine Gap

An image of a Protective Service Officer

Meet us online

Learn more about being a PSO.

Want to know more?

Free information session coming up. Hear from a panel of PSOs and our Recruitment team.

Register now

Ready to apply

Make your next move count - start your application today and take on a meaningful role in regional Australia

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