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The expertise we need in our specialist and support teams changes from year to year.
We welcome applications from all eligible graduates, especially:
The program starts in February each year.
Our applications open in February or March for the next year's intake. Stay in touch with us to learn when you can apply.
Join our Facebook recruitment group
When you're selected, you may have to move to AFP headquarters in Canberra. We'll help with the cost of your interstate move.
From the very first week, you'll complete induction activities and network with other graduates.
Over 12 months, you'll work across several areas, so you can see how different business areas operate. There'll be lots of opportunities to push yourself and explore possibilities.
As a graduate, you'll have access to:
At the end of the program, you’ll start an exciting career in a specialist or support team in the area that recruited you. It's a guaranteed permanent position with us.
We receive over 2,000 applications for the AFP Graduate Program each year. Because it's so competitive, take care to give us everything we need to assess you.
We know the application and assessment process is long. We've designed it to help find people with long-term potential to make a real impact at the AFP.
Not ready to apply? Sign up for a job alert so you'll be notified when the Register of Interest opens.
You can apply for our Graduate Program if you:
If you don't have a university degree, look at other ways you can join us.
To see available positions, visit our current vacancies.
As part of your application, you'll need to:
If you're shortlisted, we'll let you know by email. Then we'll ask you to complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire. Use a current email address and check that our emails don't go to your junk mail.
Our selection process needs to be thorough. Sometimes, it can take several months. Try to complete your steps and respond to our questions as quickly as you can. If you need help, contact our Emerging Talent team, emergingtalent@afp.gov.au.
You'll be asked to do some assessments and attend an interview.
This step includes:
Read about interviews in our applicant guide.
The Employment Suitability Questionnaire 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:
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.
Get a copy of your traffic history no more than 3 months before the date you send it to us.
If you're successful, you'll get an offer through our Jobs portal.
Our graduates start work in February each year.
The AFP Graduate Program is highly competitive. Some candidates aren't offered a position. But this might not be the end of your AFP journey.
We may place suitable candidates who aren't offered a position in a 'merit pool' for 12 months. This means we may offer you another Band 3 position in the AFP if one is available.
In the meantime, you can apply for an advertised role. See our current vacancies.
Before you start working with us, you'll need a security clearance. The AFP Personnel Security Vetting Team will look at your past, going back at least 10 years. They'll assess:
If you have a partner, the security assessment will include them and their background.
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.
As part of this process, you'll have to:
You'll need to pass regular drug testing as part of your ongoing job with us.
We know you want a job that pays you what you're worth.
Earn a competitive salary with generous holidays and other benefits.
