International Strategy: Towards 2030

Commissioner’s foreword

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has a long and proud history of working with our partners around the world to protect Australia and our mutual interests.

In times of global uncertainty, the AFP has proven ready to support our law enforcement partners, promote stability and peace offshore and take the fight to criminals wherever they hide to ensure the safety and security of our community.

We are increasingly being called upon to combat a range of diverse security threats facing Australia, through police diplomacy. To remain effective in carrying out this mandate, we need to continue to grow our presence and reaffirm our international reputation. The AFP’s International Strategy, Towards 2030 outlines our approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead of us in safeguarding Australia’s interests and delivering mutual benefits in our work with international partners to support a safer and more secure global community.

With 2025 marking the 60th anniversary of Australia’s offshore policing presence, the release of this strategy is a timely reminder of the value of our work internationally and the opportunities we have to build on the last 60 years of success to ensure the AFP remains a partner of choice around the world.

Reece P Kershaw APM Commissioner (September 2024)

AFP future priorities

Our policing insights are highly sought domestically and internationally

As a policing agency with a global footprint, the AFP is uniquely positioned to amass critical insights into threats and opportunities confronting Australia and our international neighbours.

We are the employer of choice across law enforcement

The AFP’s success is heavily dependent on the strengths of its people. The AFP’s future ability to attract and retain skills and experience in an increasingly tight labour market will be heavily dependent on the AFP’s positive employer credentials.

Our partnerships accelerate disruptions and outcomes

Criminal and non-criminal threats are increasingly rendering borders, geography and technology constraints irrelevant. The AFP’s geographical reach, specialist capabilities and partnerships uniquely positions it to lead and coordinate policing responses to address future threats.

We are leaders in embracing and leveraging technology

Crime and technology are increasingly indistinguishable with successful employment of technology being key to the AFP’s future operational effectiveness and efficieny.

We are flexible and agile to defeat threats

Organisational flexibility and agility has been key to the AFP past successes and will be increasingly important to its future successes in the face of rapid changes in the operating and threat environment.

AFP operational context

AFP partners

The AFP’s local, national and international partnerships are vital to our success. We work to create greater understanding between, and links with, our community, government and international stakeholders. The AFP is an active contributor to local, national and international law enforcement forums and multilateral bodies, including support for stabilisation and peacekeeping abroad. With the growing complexity of crime affecting Australia and global stability, international law enforcement partners will increasingly rely on each other to prevent harm to our communities.

AFP operating environment and emerging issues

The AFP operates in a complex, volatile and technology-driven world. A number of key factors affect our work and how we engage internationally:

A changing criminal threat environment

Crimes affecting the Australian community and Australia’s national security are changing. Criminal groups are using increasingly advanced technologies to carry out crime and avoid detection. This requires diversification and innovation in our offshore and specialist capabilities.

Increased global instability and fragility

Maintaining peace and stability is becoming ever more complex. To meet these challenges, the AFP will need to work closely with Australian and international partners to uphold the rule of law.

Geopolitical environment

The AFP’s ability to deliver programs will be influenced by increasing calls on policing services, driven by external factors including an evolving criminal threat environment, political instability, and climate change.

Globalisation

The flows of people, goods and information never cease.
The internet is an essential tool as well as a means for harm. Poly-criminal networks increase multi-jurisdictional, borderless crime.

Stakeholder relationships and expectations

The Australian community and our international partners have growing expectations of the AFP. The dynamic nature of threats requires increasingly proactive and flexible responses.

Police diplomacy and international partnerships

Our relationships with international law enforcement partners are critical to efforts to combat transnational crime, and support Australia’s ability to help stabilise and build resilience within the region.

Whole of Australian Government relationships

Australian Government priorities drive all of the AFP’s international operations against crime, regional destabilisation and other shared security threats.

Post COVID-19 environment

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone. New technologies have become entrenched in criminal capability. This creates increased vulnerabilities and opportunities for law enforcement.

Within this operational context, the AFP International Strategy, Towards 2030 provides the AFP with the tools to scan our environment, create intelligence insights, make informed decisions, and take appropriate action. To deliver the most effective and efficient international network we measure the impact of our actions, learn from them, and adapt to our ever-changing world.

AFP roles and capabilities

The AFP is unique in Australian law enforcement. Our role as Australia’s international policing representative, our global reach and our police diplomacy efforts directly serve the Australian community and our international partners. The AFP maintains strong international law enforcement partnerships at bilateral and multilateral levels. This positions the AFP as the primary contact point for international law enforcement seeking assistance and collaboration on matters of relevance to Australia or Australians, both domestically and overseas.

Through our international network, the AFP delivers critical operational outcomes and promotes and protects Australia’s National Interests. The AFP Police Partnership Programs promote regional stability and the capacity of our Pacific Partners to combat crime.

Our international engagement, through all AFP deployed members, drives collaborative partnerships and cooperation to detect and disrupt criminal activity and strengthen the rule of law.

We welcome appropriate opportunities to share our specialist skills, expertise and tradecraft. Our engagement is critical to developing and maintaining partnerships with law enforcement across the world, including a coordination role for members of the foreign law enforcement community here in Australia. Despite the uncertainty and complexity we all face, police-to-police relationships endure in otherwise difficult times, as we all share the goal of keeping our communities safe.

International Command locations

as at 26 July 2024

Abu dhabi
Amman
Ankara
Apia
Suva
Port vila
Bali
Bangkok
Beijing
Beirut
Belgrade
Berlin
Bogotá
Colombo
Dili
Dubai
Guangzhou
Hanoi
Ho chi minh
Hong kong
Islamabad

Jakarta
Kuala lumpur
London
Los angeles
Manila
Mexico city
New delhi
New york
Nuku'alofa
Nauru
Paris
Phnom penh
Port moresby
Honiara
Pretoria
Singapore
The hague
Vientiane
Washington, d.c.
Wellington
Yangon

AFP international operations: goals and objectives

The AFP’s international goals

The operational functions of the AFP are set out in the Australian Federal Police Act 1979. The international aspects of these operational functions are summarised as four International goals below:

All AFP international objectives and activities contribute to one or more of these international goals.

AFP International Goal 1

Serious transnational and international criminal threats are identified, assessed, prevented, disrupted and responded to, in collaboration with our international partners

AFP International Goal 2

International peace, stability and security are upheld

AFP International Goal 3

Strong and mutually beneficial partnerships for transnational and international activities

AFP International Goal 4

Australian high office holders, members of foreign diplomatic missions, witnesses and international aviation users remain safe and relevant property is protected

International objectives of AFP commands

The work of the AFP is diverse, and different Commands in the AFP each have their own, more specific, international objectives. All of the AFP’s international goals and objectives are designed to ensure the most efficient and effective response to global criminal threats, to safeguard Australia and deliver mutual benefits with international partners.

Operational objectives

Crime priorities		International Goals
Transnational Serious Organised Crime	A hostile environment is created for transnational criminal activity	1 & 3
Counter terrorism	Terrorist activity affecting Australia, Australians domestically and internationally is prevented	1, 2 & 3
Espionage and foreign interference	A Counter Foreign Interference capability that meets current and future needs to protect Australian and regional interests	1, 2 & 3
Human/child exploitation	Human trafficking and child exploitation offenders in Australia and abroad are disrupted and prosecuted, and victims are removed from further harm	1 & 3
Cyber crime	International collective efforts to disrupt and prosecute cybercriminals are continuously strengthened	1, 2 & 3
Fraud and anti-corruption	The financial assets of Australia and Australians are protected from serious financial crime activities and corrupt behaviours domestically or abroad	1, 2 & 3
Operational capabilities and partnerships
Covert and technical operations	AFP international law enforcement operations, partnerships and outcomes are supported by leading edge covert and technical capabilities	1, 2, 3 & 4
Criminal intelligence	Collaborative working partnerships achieve outcome-focused intelligence that informs decision-making delivering maximum impact on criminal enterprise	1, 2, 3 & 4
Criminal assets confiscation	Proceeds, benefits and instruments of crime are removed from crime in Australia and internationally, preventing its reinvestment in further criminal enterprise. The AFP’s cryptocurrency (digital assets) capabilities are also leveraged to advance investigative and training outcomes for international partners	1 & 3
Forensics	Forensic knowledge and expertise are used in AFP and partner activities to solve complex policing problems that are transnational in nature, and maximise disruption to international criminal syndicates	1, 2 & 3
Specialist protective services	Australian high office holders, members of foreign diplomatic missions, witnesses and international aviation users remain safe and relevant property is protected	1 & 4
Engagement with foreign law enforcement community	Reciprocal and mutually beneficial cooperation between Australian and foreign law enforcement community members, both in Australia and overseas, consistent with relevant jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks	1, 2, 3 & 4
Engagement with multilateral organisations (e.g. UN, Europol/INTERPOL/ ASEANAPOL/Pacific Island Chiefs of Police)	Increased international collaboration in key initiatives, projects and capabilities that enhance operational law enforcement or peace and stability outcomes	1, 2, 3 & 4
AFP Police Partnership Programs	Australia and host nations derive mutual bilateral and regional benefits from targeted police-to-police assistance	1, 2, 3 & 4
Enabling objectives
Operational science and technology	Technology strengthens AFP international capabilities, and partnerships with international policing agencies, industry and academia further enhance these capabilities	1, 2, 3 & 4
Strategy, design and evaluation	AFP international activities are consistently designed, monitored and evaluated, in line with AFP goals and principles	1, 2, 3 & 4
Deployment management/ SHIELD	Deployed members have the right skills, in the right location, at the right time and are healthy, happy and supported	1, 2, 3 & 4
Gender	A gender-responsive approach to off-shore operations that meets the AFP’s obligations as an implementing agency of The Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2021-2031	1, 2, 3 & 4
New Policy Proposals	New policy proposals and other bids for external funding are prioritised, developed and pursued to ensure that the longer-term, strategic needs of the organisation are supported	1, 2, 3 & 4
Innovation	AFP innovation in policing, contemporary research and strategic planning is enhanced through foresighting, scenario development and other engagement with national and global partners	1, 2, 3 & 4
Learning & Development	Enhanced investigative practices; leadership and professional development, with deployed members having the skills and knowledge they need to live and work in the positions and locations to which they are posted	1, 2, 3 & 4
Cross-cutting objectives
Whole of Australian Government Collaboration	Reciprocal benefits result from systematic sharing of capabilities and resources between AFP and Australian agencies, including joint use of assets such as personnel, expertise, equipment, technology, intelligence, operating systems, funding opportunities and geographical presence	1, 2, 3 & 4
State and territory police Collaboration	Reciprocal benefits result from systematic sharing of capabilities and resources between AFP and state & territory police, including joint use of assets such as personnel, expertise, equipment, technology, intelligence, operating systems, funding opportunities and geographical presence	1, 3 & 4
International partner Collaboration	Reciprocal benefits result from systematic sharing of capabilities and resources between AFP and international law enforcement partners, including joint use of assets such as personnel, expertise, equipment, technology, intelligence, operating systems, funding opportunities and geographical presence	1, 2, 3 & 4
Advising government	Informed decisions on matters that relate to national security, international policing, law enforcement and stabilisation operations are enabled by provision of advice by the AFP Commissioner and duly authorised staff	1, 2, 3 & 4
Strategic growth	International operations benefit from long-term consideration of expansion into locations and roles that ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of AFP’s impact on all aspects of the global operating environment	1, 2, 3 & 4
Responsive Adjustment	International operations efficiently and effectively re-deploy available resources to ensure maximum impact on continuously changing global criminal threats	1, 2, 3 & 4

How AFP work internationally

AFP international policy framework

The AFP’s policy for international operations forms part of the broader Australian Government policy framework and has a number of aligned layers.

The International Strategy, Towards 2030 provides the goals and objectives that guide all AFP international decision-making.
The International Coordination Framework (ICF) provides for internal implementation and administration.
Specialised plans and designs are used to achieve goals and objectives.

How different policies filter into the International Strategy — The layers of the AFP International police framework

The image shows the layers of the AFP International policy framework. At the top of the framework is the AFP Act. On the second level is the Ministerial Direction. Below that is the AFP’s International Strategy, Towards 2030. On the next level down is the International Coordination Framework. And on the final level there are three items; firstly are Regional Plans, secondly are Post plans of action and thirdly are Police Partnership Programs and other designs.

AFP international partnership principles

The AFP is committed to working in partnership with other law enforcement agencies. In close consultation with our international partners, the AFP has adopted principles that govern these global efforts. These mirror the principles, values and approaches of relevant regional or multilateral bodies, including organisations such as the United Nations, INTERPOL, Europol the Pacific Island Chiefs of Police and ASEANAPOL.

AFP police-to-police operational and capacity development engagement will:

Respect national sovereignty, jurisdictions and local laws
Promote maintenance of the rule of law and associated human rights
Enhance and promote transparent cross- agency partnerships, and where relevant, undertake activity through recognised regional or multilateral bodies
Deliver capacity development that promotes consensual and principle-based approaches to policing that respect the rights of individuals, especially women, children and minorities
Deliver capacity development that best protects life and property, promotes the role of women in peace and security, builds resilient communities and benefits the people of host nations
Utilise local human and other resources, as far as practicable in delivery of capacity development activities
Avoid capacity development that erodes democratic principles, promotes authoritarian approaches to policing, or enables partisan exploitation of police-to-police activities
Avoid circumventing host country lawful directions, requirements and conditions for any agreed activity conducted outside of our territory
Avoid circumventing treaties, legislation and agreements in respect of the return, removal or extradition of persons
Avoid compromising Australia’s position on the Death Penalty, or Potential Torture or Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Deputy Commissioner’s conclusion

As Deputy Commissioner International and Specialist Capabilities, I am honoured to lead the AFP’s international law enforcement efforts that play a critical role in protecting the Australian community, both in Australia and around the globe.

The AFP International Strategy, Towards 2030 provides the platform for the AFP to continue our strong engagement and collaboration with our international partners, enabling us to prevent, disrupt and respond to transnational crime at its source. This strategy positions us to share our expertise, knowledge and experience, and leverage the diverse capabilities of our allies to ensure the AFP remains a world-leading police service.

I am extremely proud of the work we undertake, and I would like to express my gratitude to our dedicated people across the AFP who work tirelessly every day to protect Australian lives, livelihoods and Australia’s way of life.

Lesa Gale APM
Deputy Commissioner
(September 2024)

Further information

If you require further information about the AFP’s international work, please contact: IC-Strategy-Design-Evaluation@afp.gov.au