How to join the Australian Federal Police
police, ACT Policing and PSO roles

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recruits sworn officers into three roles: police officers in national policing (airports and investigations), police officers in ACT Policing (community policing in Canberra) and Protective Service Officers (PSOs), who protect people and places of national importance. All three go through the same application process, meet the same basic eligibility rules and sit the same fitness test.

What sets the AFP apart from state forces is the depth of its checks. You must be an Australian citizen, and every applicant goes through security vetting that reviews at least 10 years of history. The AFP says the whole process often takes up to 12 months, so it rewards people who start early and keep their paperwork in order.

Pay is set by the Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995), with the final rise of 2.7% due on 9 December 2026. For every band, see the AFP salary guide; for leave, super and progression, the AFP and ACT Policing profile.

Police officer: national policing

What you do

Airport policing or investigations, nationally

Training

26 weeks, AFP College

Pay in training

$69,698 (Band 2.3)

Advertised package after

$91,726.74 at Band 2.4

Police officer: ACT Policing

What you do

Community policing in Canberra, from five stations

Training

26 weeks, AFP College

Pay in training

$69,698 (Band 2.3)

Advertised package after

$91,726.74 at Band 2.4

Protective Service Officer (PSO)

What you do

Protecting airports, Parliament House, Defence sites, ANSTO and diplomats

Training

15 weeks

Pay in training

$64,754 (Band 2.1)

Advertised package after

$82,499.88 at Band 2.1

Role	What you do	Training	Pay in training	Advertised package after
Police officer: national policing	Airport policing or investigations, nationally	26 weeks, AFP College	$69,698 (Band 2.3)	$91,726.74 at Band 2.4
Police officer: ACT Policing	Community policing in Canberra, from five stations	26 weeks, AFP College	$69,698 (Band 2.3)	$91,726.74 at Band 2.4
Protective Service Officer (PSO)	Protecting airports, Parliament House, Defence sites, ANSTO and diplomats	15 weeks	$64,754 (Band 2.1)	$82,499.88 at Band 2.1

Packages are the AFP's advertised figures: base + 22% Core Composite + Use of Force allowance. Overtime, night and weekend allowances are on top.

Right now the choice is partly made for you. The AFP lists ACT community policing in Canberra as its only priority policing location, and PSOs at Pine Gap, Geraldton, Exmouth, Canberra and Perth as priorities. Applications for other roles and locations are put on hold, so applying for a priority role is the fastest route in.

Two points rule out more people than any test. First, citizenship: permanent residents and New Zealand citizens can't apply, unlike in several state forces. Second, the health standards: a BMI of 33 or more doesn't meet the standard, and you need 12 months of mental-health stability without psychotropic medication or psychological treatment before you're assessed.

The education bar is low (Year 10), and there's no upper age limit. The swim is untimed and unaided, but you need a signed certificate, so arrange it with a pool or swim school early. Read the AFP's recruitment health assessment standards before you apply if any of the medical points might affect you.

1. 1

   Sworn Officer eligibility tool

   Step 1

   Self-assessment against the entry requirements. How to prepare: Takes about 15 minutes. Answer it honestly: it's there to stop you investing months in an application that can't succeed, for example if you aren't an Australian citizen or don't meet the health standards.

2. 2

   Online application

   Step 2

   Submit a CV and choose role and location. How to prepare: Takes about 10 minutes. You choose a role (national policing, ACT Policing or PSO) and a location. Check the AFP's current priorities first: applications for non-priority roles and locations are put on hold.

3. 3

   Online testing (SHL)

   Step 3

   Deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, personality and calculation; 14 days to complete; maximum 3 attempts with 12 months between. How to prepare: You get 14 days to finish the SHL tests, and results take two to four weeks. You get a maximum of three attempts, 12 months apart, so don't sit them unprepared. Practise deductive, inductive and numerical reasoning under time pressure.

4. 4

   Entry Physical Competency Assessment (EPCA)

   Step 4

   Plank, push-ups and beep test. How to prepare: Usually within about a month of applying. Train the plank, push-ups and beep test for at least six to eight weeks beforehand. You get one beep test attempt with a maximum of two warnings.

5. 5

   Employment Suitability Questionnaire and traffic history

   Step 5

   Character and driving history checks. How to prepare: List every address, job, overseas trip and traffic matter before you start, so your answers are complete and consistent with what vetting later finds.

6. 6

   Health assessment

   Step 6

   Medical and psychological assessment by an external provider. How to prepare: An external provider runs the medical and psychological assessment. Check the BMI, vision and hearing standards in advance and gather records for any past condition, surgery or mental-health treatment.

7. 7

   Assessment centre (online)

   Step 7

   Group exercise, analysis task and a behavioural (STAR) interview. How to prepare: Online: a group exercise, an analysis task and a behavioural interview scored on the STAR method. Outcomes usually arrive within two weeks. Prepare at least eight STAR examples from your own life.

8. 8

   Security clearance and vetting

   Step 8

   At least 10 years of history reviewed, partner checked, fingerprints taken. An existing AGSVA clearance may speed this up. How to prepare: Have at least 10 years of addresses, employment, travel and financial history ready, plus your partner's details. If you already hold an AGSVA clearance, say so: it may speed things up.

9. 9

   Merit pool and course offer

   Step 9

   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. How to prepare: Being in the merit pool isn't an offer. Keep your fitness up and your details current, and tell the AFP about any change in circumstances while you wait.

The AFP's own factsheet puts the fitness test after the assessment centre, and its pages say steps may happen at the same time or in a different order. Don't read anything into the sequence you get. Use any waiting time to keep training and to gather your vetting history.

The AFP's online tests are run by SHL. According to the AFP's testing factsheet, police applicants sit four components and PSO applicants three; the exact split for PSOs isn't spelled out. You have 14 days to complete them once invited, and a maximum of three attempts with 12 months between each.

Deductive reasoning

What it measures

Drawing valid conclusions from given facts and rules

How to practise

Logic puzzles and timed syllogism-style questions

Inductive reasoning

What it measures

Spotting patterns and rules in sequences of shapes

How to practise

Abstract pattern sets against a timer

Calculation

What it measures

Basic arithmetic accuracy and speed

How to practise

Mental maths drills without a calculator

Personality

What it measures

Work style and behaviour

How to practise

Nothing to study; answer honestly and consistently

Component	What it measures	How to practise
Deductive reasoning	Drawing valid conclusions from given facts and rules	Logic puzzles and timed syllogism-style questions
Inductive reasoning	Spotting patterns and rules in sequences of shapes	Abstract pattern sets against a timer
Calculation	Basic arithmetic accuracy and speed	Mental maths drills without a calculator
Personality	Work style and behaviour	Nothing to study; answer honestly and consistently

Components from the AFP's online testing guide. Practice advice is ours. ACER also sells an AFP practice product.

Three attempts, 12 months apart. A rushed first attempt can cost you a year.

Results take two to four weeks. You can warm up with reasoning and numeracy sets in our free entrance exam practice tool, and the AFP entrance test guide breaks each part down further.

Plank

Standard

60-second hold

Push-ups

Standard

15 (male) / 8 (female) within 60 seconds

Detail

Gender X assessed case by case.

Beep test

Standard

Level 6.5

Detail

One attempt, maximum 2 warnings.

Test	Standard	Detail
Plank	60-second hold
Push-ups	15 (male) / 8 (female) within 60 seconds	Gender X assessed case by case.
Beep test	Level 6.5	One attempt, maximum 2 warnings.

Same EPCA for police and PSO applicants. A separate Physical Competency Assessment at the College (up to 3 times, including on entry and before graduation) requires a stage 4 sit-up, '15/30' push-ups and a 6.5 beep test; the PDF does not say which push-up figure applies to which gender.

The EPCA is short but unforgiving: you get one attempt at the beep test and a maximum of two warnings. Level 6.5 sits in the middle of Australian police standards. The push-ups must be completed within 60 seconds with good form, so practise to a strict standard rather than counting half reps.

Passing the EPCA isn't the end. At the College you'll do a Physical Competency Assessment up to three times, including on entry and before graduation, with a stage 4 sit-up, push-ups and the 6.5 beep test. The AFP publishes a free pre-course fitness program, and you should keep training right through the merit pool wait.

Free tool

Would you pass the EPCA today?

Enter your beep test level, push-ups and plank time to see how you compare with the AFP's standard and the other forces'.

Check my fitness →

For a week-by-week plan, see our AFP fitness test guide, and train the shuttle run with our free beep test audio.

BMI

AFP standard

Under 33 (under 20 assessed case by case)

Vision

AFP standard

Unaided binocular 6/36 or better; corrected binocular 6/6, monocular 6/9; near N8

Eye surgery

AFP standard

At least 3 months after vision-correction surgery

Hearing

AFP standard

Average 25 dB or less at 0.5-3 kHz in each ear, 40 dB or less at 4 kHz, without aids

Unlikely to meet the standard

AFP standard

Unreconstructed ACL tears or shoulder dislocation, epilepsy, bleeding disorders or anticoagulants

Mental health

AFP standard

12 months' stability without psychotropic medication or psychological treatment

Drug testing

AFP standard

Mandatory in selection and regularly throughout employment

Area	AFP standard
BMI	Under 33 (under 20 assessed case by case)
Vision	Unaided binocular 6/36 or better; corrected binocular 6/6, monocular 6/9; near N8
Eye surgery	At least 3 months after vision-correction surgery
Hearing	Average 25 dB or less at 0.5-3 kHz in each ear, 40 dB or less at 4 kHz, without aids
Unlikely to meet the standard	Unreconstructed ACL tears or shoulder dislocation, epilepsy, bleeding disorders or anticoagulants
Mental health	12 months' stability without psychotropic medication or psychological treatment
Drug testing	Mandatory in selection and regularly throughout employment

From the AFP's recruitment health assessment standards and eligibility pages.

The psychological assessment is run by an external provider and includes questionnaires and an interview. Some conditions are automatic fails, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, a personality disorder, current psychotropic medication or current therapy for a mental health condition. ADHD stimulant use is assessed case by case. Results are valid for 12 months.

If you've had counselling in the past, that isn't automatically a barrier: the test is 12 months of stability. Be completely honest. The vetting process looks at the same history, and inconsistency is far more damaging than the original issue.

The AFP's assessment centre is online and has three parts. In the group exercise, assessors watch how you work with others. In the analysis task, you work through information and reach a reasoned conclusion. The behavioural interview asks you to describe real situations using the STAR method: the Situation, Task, Action and Result. Outcomes usually arrive within two weeks.

1. 1

   Collect your stories

   Week 1

   Write down eight to ten real situations from work, study, sport or volunteering: a conflict, a mistake, a pressured deadline, an ethical choice, leading a group, helping someone vulnerable.

2. 2

   Shape them into STAR

   Week 2

   Keep the situation short. Spend most of the answer on what you did and why. Finish with a measurable result and what you learned.

3. 3

   Practise out loud on camera

   Week 3

   The interview is online, so rehearse looking at the camera, speaking clearly and keeping answers to about two minutes.

Free tool

Practise AFP-style STAR answers

Answer behavioural questions by typing or speaking and get a STAR score, the top fix and a model answer. Two free scored answers a day.

Start a mock interview →

For likely questions, read our AFP interview guide.

Every AFP recruit goes through AFP Personnel Security Vetting. It's the step that most often stretches the timeline, because it depends on how easy your history is to verify. The AFP doesn't state the clearance level for new police and PSO recruits on its recruitment pages. Its First Nations Pathway Program requires a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) clearance, and the now-closed Skilled Police Program required NV1 or NV2, which gives a sense of the scrutiny involved.

Employment, residential and travel history

Detail

At least the last 10 years

Financial history

Detail

Debts, defaults and financial stress that could create vulnerability

Personal history and any disregard for the law

Detail

Including traffic and criminal matters

Periods living overseas, or regular travel to regions of interest

Detail

Can lengthen vetting

Your partner

Detail

A partner security check, if you have one

Fingerprints and palm prints

Detail

Taken and checked through the national fingerprint system

What vetting looks at	Detail
Employment, residential and travel history	At least the last 10 years
Financial history	Debts, defaults and financial stress that could create vulnerability
Personal history and any disregard for the law	Including traffic and criminal matters
Periods living overseas, or regular travel to regions of interest	Can lengthen vetting
Your partner	A partner security check, if you have one
Fingerprints and palm prints	Taken and checked through the national fingerprint system

From the AFP's application process page, read 9 October 2026.

How to make vetting faster

Start a document now listing every address, employer, overseas trip and significant financial event for the past 10 years, with dates. Keep referees' contact details current. If you've lived overseas, gather evidence such as police certificates early. If you already hold an Australian Government (AGSVA) clearance, or are an ADF member or veteran with a current NV1, tell the AFP: it may be recognised.

Police recruits (national and ACT) complete the 26-week Federal Police Development Program at the AFP College in Barton, Canberra, with the opportunity to gain the POL50124 Diploma of Policing. PSOs complete 15 weeks for the POL41225 Certificate IV in Protective Services, then have a dedicated mentor for their first six months.

You're paid from day one, with a free ensuite single room, main meals, a mobile phone and a laptop, and your travel to and from the College is paid. You can ask to live off-site. The 22% composite appears not to be paid during training: the AFP's careers table shows no package for recruits. Existing AFP employees keep their current band during recruit training.

More about College life is in our AFP College guide.

Police graduates become probationary officers at Band 2.4. You stay there for at least 12 months and until your AFP workbook is signed off by a supervisor who has supervised you for at least three months, then move to Band 3.1. The AFP doesn't publish a separate formal probation period beyond that. PSOs start at Band 2.1 for at least 12 months, including training.

The 22% Core Composite replaces shift, weekend and public holiday penalties and counts for super; the use-of-force allowance is $3,500 a year now, rising to $4,000 a year from 9 December 2026 under the agreement, when Band 2.4 also rises to $74,270. Night shifts and weekends attract small hourly extras, and overtime is paid at double time. The take-home figure is our calculation with 2026-27 tax and no HELP.

Progression runs through broadbands rather than promotion exams. Constables move from Band 2 to Band 5, with a soft barrier at Band 3 and assessed barriers at Bands 4 and 5; since 1 July 2025, Band 5 needs nine years of policing experience. Team Leader and Sergeant roles (Bands 6 and 7) are filled by merit selection. Try the take-home pay calculator for your own numbers.

PSO priority locations are Pine Gap, Geraldton, Exmouth, Canberra and Perth, and the AFP's remote PSO page also mentions Alice Springs. At remote Defence sites, PSOs receive a Remote Defence Capability Payment and a Remote Localities Allowance on top of the standard package.

Exmouth WA and Pine Gap NT

Remote Defence Capability Payment

$45,000

Remote Localities Allowance

$10,970

Total package at Band 2.1

$138,470

Geraldton WA

Remote Defence Capability Payment

$16,500

Remote Localities Allowance

$3,708

Total package at Band 2.1

$102,708

Location	Remote Defence Capability Payment	Remote Localities Allowance	Total package at Band 2.1
Exmouth WA and Pine Gap NT	$45,000	$10,970	$138,470
Geraldton WA	$16,500	$3,708	$102,708

Our arithmetic: Band 2.1 base + 22% composite + Use of Force allowance + the two remote payments. It matches the AFP's advertised $138,470 and $102,708 to within a dollar.

Those packages are high for an entry-level role, but they reflect real isolation, shift work at secure sites and distance from family. If you're weighing a remote role, read our guide to remote and rural policing incentives and our planned guide to the AFP Protective Service Officer role.

Serving police from other forces

The AFP's Skilled Police Program, which required a policing diploma, three years' recent operational experience and NV1 or NV2, is closed with no date for the next intake. An ACT Lateral Recruit Program was reported with eight weeks of training, but its page couldn't be loaded and its register of interest says the position is filled, so we can't confirm its details. Experienced officers can apply through the standard recruit process: the enterprise agreement lets the Commissioner set a higher starting pay point based on experience, and policing experience elsewhere counts towards the nine years needed for Band 5.

ADF members and veterans

ADF members and veterans use the standard recruit process, and a current NV1 clearance may be recognised, which can shorten vetting.

First Nations applicants

Read more on the AFP's First Nations pathways page and in our guide to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander police pathways. Still deciding between federal and state policing? Compare joining NT Police or joining SAPOL.

The security clearance level new police and PSO recruits must reach. The recruit pages don't state it; NV1 is required for the First Nations Pathway Program and was required for the closed Skilled Police Program.

Who can confirm it

AFP Recruitment

Recruit course length. Careers pages say 26 weeks for police; the enterprise agreement lists 19 weeks as the minimum time at the recruit pay point.

Who can confirm it

AFP Recruitment

Whether the 22% composite is paid during College training. The AFP's careers table shows no package for recruits, so we assume not.

Who can confirm it

AFP Recruitment or the AFPA

Which College push-up figure (15 or 30) applies to which gender.

Who can confirm it

AFP College

Whether PSOs still train at Pinkenba in Brisbane. One page says they may; the College page says there are no other training facilities.

Who can confirm it

AFP Recruitment

When the Skilled Police Program will reopen, and the current status of the ACT Lateral Recruit Program.

Who can confirm it

AFP Recruitment

Open question	Who can confirm it
The security clearance level new police and PSO recruits must reach. The recruit pages don't state it; NV1 is required for the First Nations Pathway Program and was required for the closed Skilled Police Program.	AFP Recruitment
Recruit course length. Careers pages say 26 weeks for police; the enterprise agreement lists 19 weeks as the minimum time at the recruit pay point.	AFP Recruitment
Whether the 22% composite is paid during College training. The AFP's careers table shows no package for recruits, so we assume not.	AFP Recruitment or the AFPA
Which College push-up figure (15 or 30) applies to which gender.	AFP College
Whether PSOs still train at Pinkenba in Brisbane. One page says they may; the College page says there are no other training facilities.	AFP Recruitment
When the Skilled Police Program will reopen, and the current status of the ACT Lateral Recruit Program.	AFP Recruitment