Where does the interview sit in the AFP process?
The AFP publishes 9 steps for new recruits, and the assessment centre is step 7. Before it, you'll usually have completed the SHL online tests, the Entry Physical Competency Assessment, the Employment Suitability Questionnaire and the health assessment. Security vetting and the merit pool follow.
The AFP says steps may run at the same time or in a different order, and its factsheet places fitness after the assessment centre. The whole process takes 6 to 9 months on role pages, and the AFP's process page says it's often up to 12 months.
- 1
Sworn Officer eligibility tool
Step 1Self-assessment against the entry requirements.
- 2
Online application
Step 2Submit a CV and choose role and location.
- 3
Online testing (SHL)
Step 3Deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, personality and calculation; 14 days to complete; maximum 3 attempts with 12 months between.
- 4
Entry Physical Competency Assessment (EPCA)
Step 4Plank, push-ups and beep test.
- 5
Employment Suitability Questionnaire and traffic history
Step 5Character and driving history checks.
- 6
Health assessment
Step 6Medical and psychological assessment by an external provider.
- 7
Assessment centre (online)
Interview stageGroup exercise, analysis task and a behavioural (STAR) interview.
Where this page helps: The behavioural interview sits inside this assessment centre. This page covers all three parts, with most focus on the interview. - 8
Security clearance and vetting
Step 8At least 10 years of history reviewed, partner checked, fingerprints taken. An existing AGSVA clearance may speed this up.
- 9
Merit pool and course offer
Interview stageSuitable candidates enter a merit pool for course offers. Steps may run at the same time or in a different order (the factsheet places fitness after the assessment centre). The AFP says the process takes 6-9 months on role pages and 'often up to 12 months' on the process page.
Where this page helps: The behavioural interview sits inside this assessment centre. This page covers all three parts, with most focus on the interview.
For eligibility and the full process, see how to join the AFP. For the SHL tests, see our AFP online testing guide.
What happens at the AFP assessment centre?
The AFP's application process page says the assessment centre includes team-based activities, scenarios and an interview. Its recruitment factsheet lists three components and says AFP staff, including police officers and protective service officers, run it.
Group exercise
- What the AFP says
- Team-based activity
- Status
- Published
Analysis task
- What the AFP says
- Listed in the factsheet; format not described
- Status
- Published; details unverified
Behavioural interview
- What the AFP says
- Behavioural based interview; use STAR for examples
- Status
- Published
Delivery
- What the AFP says
- Application page: all held online. Factsheet: online or in person depending on location
- Status
- Sources differ; follow your invitation
Length and panel size
- What the AFP says
- Not published
- Status
- Unverified
| Component | What the AFP says | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Group exercise | Team-based activity | Published |
| Analysis task | Listed in the factsheet; format not described | Published; details unverified |
| Behavioural interview | Behavioural based interview; use STAR for examples | Published |
| Delivery | Application page: all held online. Factsheet: online or in person depending on location | Sources differ; follow your invitation |
| Length and panel size | Not published | Unverified |
From the AFP application process page and Sworn Recruitment Process factsheet, read 9 October 2026.
Run by
AFP staff
incl. police and PSOs
Result
≤ 2 weeks
either way, per the AFP
Reapply
12 months
with feedback available
The psych interview is a separate step
The AFP's health assessment, run by an external provider, includes a psychological interview. That's different from the behavioural interview at the assessment centre. See our guide to the police psychological assessment.
Which six competencies does the AFP assess?
The AFP is unusually transparent: it lists the six competencies its evaluators use. Every interview answer and every moment of the group exercise is evidence for one or more of them.
Deciding and initiating action
- What a strong answer shows
- You made a timely decision, took responsibility and acted
- Where your example might come from
- Taking charge of a situation nobody else would
Working with people
- What a strong answer shows
- You built relationships, supported others and worked in a team
- Where your example might come from
- Helping a team through a difficult project
Analysing
- What a strong answer shows
- You made sense of information, spotted what mattered and drew sound conclusions
- Where your example might come from
- Investigating a discrepancy at work or in a study project
Adhering to principles and values
- What a strong answer shows
- You acted ethically and consistently, even under pressure
- Where your example might come from
- Refusing to cut a corner or reporting wrongdoing
Coping with pressure and setbacks
- What a strong answer shows
- You stayed effective under stress and bounced back
- Where your example might come from
- A failure, rejection or crisis you recovered from
Presenting and communicating information
- What a strong answer shows
- You communicated clearly and adjusted to your audience
- Where your example might come from
- Explaining something complex, briefing others, writing a report
| Competency (AFP wording) | What a strong answer shows | Where your example might come from |
|---|---|---|
| Deciding and initiating action | You made a timely decision, took responsibility and acted | Taking charge of a situation nobody else would |
| Working with people | You built relationships, supported others and worked in a team | Helping a team through a difficult project |
| Analysing | You made sense of information, spotted what mattered and drew sound conclusions | Investigating a discrepancy at work or in a study project |
| Adhering to principles and values | You acted ethically and consistently, even under pressure | Refusing to cut a corner or reporting wrongdoing |
| Coping with pressure and setbacks | You stayed effective under stress and bounced back | A failure, rejection or crisis you recovered from |
| Presenting and communicating information | You communicated clearly and adjusted to your audience | Explaining something complex, briefing others, writing a report |
Competencies from the AFP application process page. The two right-hand columns are our guidance.
Most candidates have plenty of teamwork examples and too few for analysing and deciding and initiating action. Federal policing is investigation-heavy, so a clear example of working through information to a conclusion is worth preparing carefully.
Six published competencies means no excuses: have a real, rehearsed example for each.
How do the seven AFP values fit into your answers?
The AFP lists seven values: integrity, commitment, excellence, accountability, fairness, trust and respect. Its application advice tells candidates to understand the organisation and its values before the assessment centre.
Integrity
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Soundness of moral principles, honesty and sincerity
Commitment
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Dedication, application, perseverance, belief in your ability to add value
Excellence
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Always room for improvement
Accountability
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Ownership of work or results; answerable for outcomes
Fairness
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Impartial and equitable
Trust
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Faith and confidence; being able to rely and depend on others
Respect
- The AFP's description (summarised)
- Treating ourselves and all others with consideration
| Value | The AFP's description (summarised) |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Soundness of moral principles, honesty and sincerity |
| Commitment | Dedication, application, perseverance, belief in your ability to add value |
| Excellence | Always room for improvement |
| Accountability | Ownership of work or results; answerable for outcomes |
| Fairness | Impartial and equitable |
| Trust | Faith and confidence; being able to rely and depend on others |
| Respect | Treating ourselves and all others with consideration |
From the AFP's values page. Summarised by us; read the original for exact wording.
The competency "adhering to principles and values" connects the two lists directly. Expect at least one question where the only good answer shows integrity under pressure. The AFP also sets out a Code of Conduct in a Commissioner's Order, covering honesty, fairness without discrimination, conflicts of interest and the AFP's reputation.
How do federal and ACT roles change your answers?
You choose a role and location preference when you apply, and the AFP says that's what you're likely to be offered from the merit pool. Your answers should fit that choice. Panels will notice if you say you want national investigations but all your motivation is about community policing.
National police officer
- What the AFP says it involves
- Investigations including aviation, child protection, counter-terrorism, cybercrime, forensics, fraud and organised crime; new recruits usually start in airport policing or investigations
- Angle for your answers
- Analysis, working with other agencies, presenting evidence
ACT Policing
- What the AFP says it involves
- Community policing for Canberra
- Angle for your answers
- Communication, community trust, frontline decision making
Protective Service Officer
- What the AFP says it involves
- Protective security; separate 15-week training
- Angle for your answers
- Vigilance, judgement under pressure, adhering to procedure
| Role | What the AFP says it involves | Angle for your answers |
|---|---|---|
| National police officer | Investigations including aviation, child protection, counter-terrorism, cybercrime, forensics, fraud and organised crime; new recruits usually start in airport policing or investigations | Analysis, working with other agencies, presenting evidence |
| ACT Policing | Community policing for Canberra | Communication, community trust, frontline decision making |
| Protective Service Officer | Protective security; separate 15-week training | Vigilance, judgement under pressure, adhering to procedure |
Role descriptions from AFP role and College pages. The right-hand column is our guidance.
Federal work brings some distinctive themes: working with other police forces at home and overseas, handling sensitive information, and passing security vetting that reviews at least ten years of your history. Integrity and discretion questions are a natural fit.
14 original AFP practice questions
These questions are ours, written around the AFP's six competencies, seven values and federal context. They are not real AFP questions. Use them to find gaps in your example bank and to rehearse.
Practice questions mapped to the AFP competencies
- 1
Why the AFP rather than a state police force? What draws you to federal policing?
Motivation · Commitment
Be specific about the role you chose: national investigations, airport policing, ACT community policing or protective service. Show you know how they differ.
- 2
Tell us about a time you had to make a decision quickly and take responsibility for the outcome.
Deciding and initiating action · Accountability
Show the options you considered, why you chose one, and how you owned what happened next.
- 3
Describe a time you had to make sense of a lot of detailed information to find the problem.
Analysing
Federal investigations are information-heavy. Walk through how you organised the information and tested your conclusion.
- 4
Tell us about a time you worked with people from another team or organisation who had different priorities.
Working with people · Trust
The AFP works with other police, agencies and overseas partners. Show how you found common ground without giving up what mattered.
- 5
Give an example of a time you had to stick to a rule or principle when it would have been easier not to.
Adhering to principles and values · Integrity
Pick a real moment of pressure. Explain what was at stake and why the principle mattered more.
- 6
Tell us about a significant setback. How did you respond, and what did you change?
Coping with pressure and setbacks
The AFP process itself can take many months. Show resilience and practical recovery, not just positive thinking.
- 7
Describe a time you had to explain something complicated to someone without your background.
Presenting and communicating information
National police officers prepare and present evidence to courts. Show how you checked the other person understood.
- 8
You're working at an airport and a traveller becomes aggressive after being told their flight is cancelled. Staff ask you to help. What do you do?
Working with people · Coping with pressure (scenario)
New national police often start in airport policing. Focus on safety, de-escalation, listening and clear limits.
- 9
During security vetting, you remember a past matter you didn't mention earlier. What do you do?
Integrity · Accountability (scenario)
Security vetting reviews at least 10 years of your history. The only right answer is to disclose it promptly and explain.
- 10
Tell us about a time you were part of a team where one member wasn't pulling their weight.
Working with people · Fairness
Show you raised it fairly and directly, and tried to understand why before escalating.
- 11
The AFP could place you in a location that isn't your first preference. How would you handle that?
Commitment · Coping with pressure
The AFP says offers align with your role and location preference, but operational needs drive availability. Show flexibility without pretending you have no preferences.
- 12
Tell us about a piece of work you improved after it was already 'good enough'.
Excellence
The AFP says there's always room for improvement. Show what you noticed, what you changed and the difference it made.
- 13
Describe a time you treated someone with respect even though they were treating you badly.
Respect · Presenting information
Show how you controlled your own reaction and kept the conversation productive.
- 14
(ACT Policing) What do you think community policing in Canberra involves, and how is it different from national investigations?
Motivation · Understanding the role
If you've chosen ACT Policing, show you know it's frontline community policing for the capital, and why that suits you.
Original practice questions written by Police Pay Australia around the force's published values and criteria. They are not real or leaked interview questions.
Score a STAR answer for free
Pick the AFP, type or speak your answer, and get a score out of 10 with a breakdown of each STAR part. Two answers a day are free.
What does a strong AFP STAR answer look like?
Here's a worked answer to an "analysing" question, which candidates often find hardest. The candidate is invented. Notice the clear method in the Action, and the honest Result.
Worked example answer
Describe a time you had to make sense of a lot of detailed information to find a problem. (Analysing; Presenting and communicating information)
Situation
I was an accounts officer at a freight company. Our monthly reconciliation showed a $14,000 gap between invoices raised and payments received, and the gap had been growing for three months.
Why it works: Specific numbers make it believable and show scale.
Task
My manager asked me to find out why before the end-of-quarter report, which gave me eight working days.
Why it works: Clear ownership and deadline.
Action
I exported three months of invoices and payments into a spreadsheet and matched them line by line. Most matched, so I filtered for the unmatched ones and looked for patterns. Almost all came from one customer and had been raised after a system update. I checked a sample against the original delivery dockets and found the update had duplicated invoices for split deliveries.
Before reporting, I confirmed it with IT on a test invoice. I then wrote a one-page summary for my manager with the cause, the affected invoices and two options to fix it, and explained it to the customer's accounts team on a call.
Why it works: Shows a logical method, testing the conclusion before acting, and communicating to two audiences.
Result
IT fixed the duplication within a week and we credited the customer. The gap closed by the next month's reconciliation, and my manager asked me to add a duplicate check to our monthly process.
Why it works: Measurable result and a lasting improvement (Excellence).
Reflection
I learned not to report a theory until I'd tested it. I'd bring the same discipline to an investigation, where getting it wrong affects real people.
Why it works: Links analysis to federal investigative work and to Accountability and Fairness.
An invented example by Police Pay Australia to show structure. Use your own experiences; assessors ask follow-up questions.
How do you prepare for the group exercise and analysis task?
The AFP doesn't publish the content of either exercise, and we won't guess at the tasks. What you can prepare is how you behave, because assessors map that to the same six competencies.
In the group exercise
- ✓Clarify the goal and the time limit early
- ✓Invite quieter members in (working with people)
- ✓Build on others' ideas and credit them
- ✓Summarise and help the group reach a decision
- ✓Stay calm if the group disagrees (coping with pressure)
In the analysis task
- ✕Rushing without reading all the material
- ✕Mixing facts with assumptions without saying so
- ✕Not stating a clear conclusion or recommendation
- ✕Ignoring the format or word limit you're given
- ✕Leaving no time to check your work
We've framed the right-hand column as traps to avoid because the AFP doesn't describe the analysis task's format. If your invitation explains it, follow those instructions over anything here. For an online session, a quiet room, a stable connection and a camera at eye level all matter.
Which mistakes cost AFP candidates most?
Do
- ✓Prepare a STAR example for each of the six competencies
- ✓Match your motivation to the role you chose
- ✓Use 'I' and spell out each action
- ✓Show you test your thinking before acting
- ✓Be completely consistent with your ESQ and vetting disclosures
Don't
- ✕Rely on teamwork stories for every question
- ✕Talk about TV-style federal work you've never researched
- ✕Give 'I would' answers to behavioural questions
- ✕Exaggerate: assessors probe details
- ✕Treat the online format as less formal
The honesty point is bigger at the AFP
Security vetting reviews at least ten years of employment, financial, residential and personal history. Anything you say at the assessment centre should be consistent with what vetting will find.
How should you practise for the AFP assessment centre?
- 1
Map examples to the six competencies
Week 1List ten real situations and tag each. Make sure analysing and deciding and initiating action are covered by strong examples.
- 2
Research your role
Week 1Read the AFP pages for the role you chose: national policing, ACT Policing or PSO. Note what they say the work involves.
- 3
Practise STAR out loud
Weeks 2–3Answer two questions a day in the AI mock interview, choosing the AFP. Redo each answer with the top fix.
- 4
Rehearse online
Final weekDo a full mock on a video call with a friend, including a short group discussion. Check light, sound and background.
The free tier of the AI mock interview covers most of this plan. For more practice (up to 60 scored answers a day), model answers and follow-up questions in the final weeks, a 30-day pass costs A$34.99.
Practise AFP behavioural questions with AI feedback
Get a STAR breakdown on every answer and see which competency your example is really showing. Two free answers a day; A$34.99 for a 30-day pass.
AFP assessment centre preparation checklist
Before your assessment centre
- ✓ One real STAR example for each of the six competencies
- ✓ A clear answer to 'why the AFP?' that fits your chosen role
- ✓ The seven AFP values read and understood
- ✓ An integrity example under real pressure
- ✓ An analysis example with a tested conclusion
- ✓ ESQ answers re-read so everything you say is consistent
- ✓ Online setup tested: camera, microphone, light, connection
- ✓ A quiet room booked for the whole session
- ✓ Group exercise approach practised with friends
- ✓ Invitation checked for format, timing and what to bring
What happens after the AFP assessment centre?
The AFP says you'll hear the outcome within two weeks either way. If you're successful, the remaining steps include security vetting and the merit pool, from which course offers are made as places become available.
Security clearance and vetting
- What happens
- At least 10 years of history reviewed, partner checked, fingerprints taken. An existing AGSVA clearance may speed this up.
Merit pool and course offer
- What happens
- Suitable candidates enter a merit pool for course offers. Steps may run at the same time or in a different order (the factsheet places fitness after the assessment centre). The AFP says the process takes 6-9 months on role pages and 'often up to 12 months' on the process page.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Security clearance and vetting | At least 10 years of history reviewed, partner checked, fingerprints taken. An existing AGSVA clearance may speed this up. |
| Merit pool and course offer | Suitable candidates enter a merit pool for course offers. Steps may run at the same time or in a different order (the factsheet places fitness after the assessment centre). The AFP says the process takes 6-9 months on role pages and 'often up to 12 months' on the process page. |
Police recruits train for 26 weeks at the AFP College in Barton, Canberra, paid from day one at Band 2.3 ($69,698 base). For pay after graduation, see our AFP salary guide and the AFP fitness test if your EPCA is still ahead. Comparing forces? Our Tasmania Police interview guide covers another assessment day with a group exercise.
Free email alerts
New practice questions and AFP assessment dates
We write new AFP-focused practice questions around the six competencies and track changes to the AFP recruitment process. Get both by email.
- ✓New AFP practice questions as we write them
- ✓Alerts when the AFP changes its assessment centre or recruitment steps
Frequently asked questions
What is the AFP assessment centre?
It's a stage of the AFP sworn recruitment process run by AFP staff, including police officers and protective service officers. The AFP says it includes team-based activities, scenarios and an interview; its factsheet lists a group exercise, an analysis task and a behavioural interview.
Is the AFP assessment centre online?
The AFP's application process page says all assessment centres will be held online. Its recruitment process factsheet says it is completed online or in person depending on your location. Follow the instructions in your invitation, and prepare your space and technology for an online session either way.
What competencies does the AFP interview assess?
The AFP lists six: deciding and initiating action; working with people; analysing; adhering to principles and values; coping with pressure and setbacks; and presenting and communicating information. Prepare at least one real STAR example for each.
Does the AFP use the STAR method?
Yes. The AFP's application process page tells candidates to familiarise themselves with the STAR method when giving examples in the interview. STAR means Situation, Task, Action and Result; put most of your time into the Action.
What are the AFP's values?
The AFP lists seven values: integrity, commitment, excellence, accountability, fairness, trust and respect. It also has a Code of Conduct set out in a Commissioner's Order on professional standards.
Are these real AFP interview questions?
No. The questions on this page are original, written by us around the competencies and values the AFP publishes. The AFP doesn't publish its interview questions.
What happens if I fail the AFP assessment centre?
The AFP says its recruitment team will tell you the outcome within two weeks either way. If you're unsuccessful you can ask for feedback and reapply in 12 months.
How can I practise for the AFP interview?
Build STAR examples for each of the six competencies, then practise out loud and timed. Our AI mock interview gives two free scored answers a day; a 30-day pass with model answers and follow-up questions costs A$34.99.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 9 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.
- AFP: Application process — assessment centre held online; team-based activities, scenarios and an interview; six competencies assessed; STAR advice; outcome within 2 weeks; reapply in 12 months
- AFP: Our values — seven values and the Code of Conduct
- AFP Recruitment process factsheet (PDF) — assessment centre held by AFP staff; group exercise, analysis task, behavioural interview; online or in person depending on location; psychological interview in the health assessment
- AFP: New recruits pathway — recruit pathway and timeline
- AFP: Police officer - national policing — national police role: airport policing and investigations
- AFP Online testing for new recruits (PDF) — SHL online tests before the assessment centre
- AFP Recruitment Health Assessment Standards (PDF, Jan 2026) — psychological standards
- AFP College — recruit training and pay
Related guides
Joining the police
More in this series
General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.