Team Member – Aviation Operations

Overview

Safe, secure and efficient air services are critical to Australia's national security and public confidence.

Our Aviation Operations team members keep travellers, Australian airports, and other Australian interests safe. Highly visible uniformed police patrol 9 major airports:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Adelaide
• Perth
• Darwin
• Canberra
• Gold Coast
• Cairns.

What you'll do

You'll play a key role in protecting Australia from aviation crime.

You'll do this through responding to general policing issues within each airport precinct. Your day-to-day work will include:

• patrolling the airport
• investigating minor criminal matters
• enforcing Commonwealth law
• working with airport staff, as well as state and territory police
• taking reports and making arrests
• conducting interviews
• following judicial process.

Specialist policing

You'll also be trained to help deter and respond to terrorism threats.

In the event of a terrorist incident, your role will be to:

• contain the incident
• cordon off the immediate area
• evacuate people who may be in danger
• collect relevant information
• provide ongoing support under the command of the Airport Police Commander
• investigate.

You'll work with firearms and explosive detection dogs and canine handlers. These dogs can detect a range of military and commercial explosives and weapons. They regularly search airport terminals, aviation facilities, aircraft, baggage and freight.

We also maintain a rapid appraisal officer (RAO) capability. As an RAO, you'll give evacuation advice and help search for bombs and hazardous items in:

• routes and areas
• buildings
• vehicles
• aircraft.

To become an RAO, you'll do a 3-week training course.

As a team member in Aviation Operations, you'll have access to a wide range of benefits and conditions. As your career evolves, you'll have the opportunity to progress through ranks from constable to sergeant and inspector.

To learn more about career progression, salary bands and entitlements, read our Enterprise Agreement.

Eligibility

To become a team member in Aviation Operations, you must have at least 2 years of experience in the AFP as either:

• a police officer
• a protective service officer.

Once you have the required amount of experience, you will be able to apply for Aviation Operations positions when they are advertised on our Jobs portal.

You will have to pass additional checks and assessments as part of your application.

How to apply

Joining the AFP as a new recruit

To start your career as a police officer or protective service officer with us, you must:

• be aged 18 years or over
• be an Australian citizen
• hold a valid full or provisional driver's licence (including automatic-only)
• meet our character standards
• hold at least one of the following qualifications:
  • Year 10 Certificate and 2 years of work experience
  • Year 10 Certificate and a nationally recognised vocational education qualification at Certificate III level or higher
  • Year 12 Certificate
  • vocational education (TAFE) qualification or university qualification at Diploma level or higher.

You must also provide evidence that you:

• have had 2 primary doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine at the time of application (immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate is required)
• hold current first aid and CPR certifications
• can swim 100 m freestyle.

During the application process, you'll be asked to prove you meet additional standards, related to:

• your traffic history
• security vetting
• drug and alcohol testing
• character standards.

Find out how to join us as a:

• police officer
• protective service officer.

Joining the AFP from another Australian police force

If you have at least 3 years of operational policing experience, and have not been out of a policing role for more than 5 years, you may be eligible to join us as a police officer through our Lateral Program.

You'll be expected to hold a Diploma of Public Safety (Policing) or equivalent and have strong experience in criminal investigation. We encourage state or territory detectives to apply.

You must also:

• be an Australian citizen
• be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations
• have and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance
• hold current first aid and CPR certifications, valid for your entire training period
• show evidence that you can swim 100 m freestyle, non-stop and unaided.