What leave do AFP members get?
Every leave type in the 2024-2027 Enterprise Agreement, with its section number.
All AFP leave comes from the Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995), which took effect on 9 December 2024 and runs to 9 December 2027. It covers national police, ACT Policing, Protective Service Officers and unsworn staff alike. Long service leave is the one exception: it comes from a Commonwealth Act.
Annual leave
- Entitlement
- 228 hours (6 weeks) a year, credited monthly; Executive Level 190 hours
- EA section
- s53(1)–(2)
Mandatory Rest Days
- Entitlement
- 4 days a year from 1 March; +1 if you use 304+ hours of annual leave in a financial year
- EA section
- s57
Purchased leave
- Entitlement
- Up to 152 hours (4 weeks) a year in 38-hour blocks
- EA section
- s53(27)–(34)
Annual leave cash-out
- Entitlement
- Up to 3 times a financial year, minimum 19 hours, keep 152 hours
- EA section
- s53(14)–(22)
Personal/carer's leave
- Entitlement
- 136 hours 48 minutes (18 days) a year, full amount on day one
- EA section
- s54
Primary caregiver leave
- Entitlement
- 18 weeks paid within a 24-month period
- EA section
- s61(7)
Secondary caregiver leave
- Entitlement
- 14 weeks paid now; 18 weeks from 28 February 2027
- EA section
- s61(8)
Long service leave
- Entitlement
- Per the Commonwealth LSL Act: 3 months after 10 years
- EA section
- s58
Compassionate / bereavement
- Entitlement
- 3 working days each occasion; up to 5 more for bereavement
- EA section
- s60
Defence reservist leave
- Entitlement
- 4 weeks paid a financial year, +2 weeks in the first year
- EA section
- s62
NAIDOC, ceremonial, cultural
- Entitlement
- 3 days a year; 6 days over 2 years; 3 days a year
- EA section
- s66
Family and domestic violence
- Entitlement
- Paid miscellaneous leave, on top of other leave
- EA section
- s81
| Leave type | Entitlement | EA section |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 228 hours (6 weeks) a year, credited monthly; Executive Level 190 hours | s53(1)–(2) |
| Mandatory Rest Days | 4 days a year from 1 March; +1 if you use 304+ hours of annual leave in a financial year | s57 |
| Purchased leave | Up to 152 hours (4 weeks) a year in 38-hour blocks | s53(27)–(34) |
| Annual leave cash-out | Up to 3 times a financial year, minimum 19 hours, keep 152 hours | s53(14)–(22) |
| Personal/carer's leave | 136 hours 48 minutes (18 days) a year, full amount on day one | s54 |
| Primary caregiver leave | 18 weeks paid within a 24-month period | s61(7) |
| Secondary caregiver leave | 14 weeks paid now; 18 weeks from 28 February 2027 | s61(8) |
| Long service leave | Per the Commonwealth LSL Act: 3 months after 10 years | s58 |
| Compassionate / bereavement | 3 working days each occasion; up to 5 more for bereavement | s60 |
| Defence reservist leave | 4 weeks paid a financial year, +2 weeks in the first year | s62 |
| NAIDOC, ceremonial, cultural | 3 days a year; 6 days over 2 years; 3 days a year | s66 |
| Family and domestic violence | Paid miscellaneous leave, on top of other leave | s81 |
If you've come from the Australian Public Service, much of this will feel familiar: leave credited monthly in hours, purchased leave, cash-outs and a formal right to request flexible work. If you've come from a state force, the big differences are no extra shift-worker week and the four Mandatory Rest Days.
How much annual leave do AFP officers get?
Everyone in Bands 1 to 8 and the Technical Specialist stream accrues 228 hours (six weeks) of annual leave a year, credited monthly (s53(1)). Executive Level staff get 190 hours (five weeks) (s53(2)). Part-timers accrue pro rata, and annual leave counts as service for all purposes.
Bands 1–8
228 hrs
six 38-hour weeks
Executive Level
190 hrs
five weeks
Direction threshold
304 hrs
8 weeks banked, s53(8)
The Commissioner approves leave subject to reasonable operational requirements, but must not unreasonably refuse a request (s53(5)). If your leave is cancelled or you're recalled, the AFP reimburses travel costs you can't recover elsewhere, unless you receive the Rapid Deployment Allowance (s53(6)).
Big balances
If you bank more than 304 hours (eight weeks), you can be directed to take 76 hours (two weeks) (s53(8)). The Commissioner has to consider whether that's reasonable first (s53(13)). Executive Level staff must take at least one continuous week every financial year (s53(9)).
What is a week of AFP leave worth?
The EA defines fortnightly pay as base salary × 12 ÷ 313. Half of that is a week. If you're on the Operations or Rostered Operations working pattern, add the 22% Core Composite, which is an annualised allowance paid fortnightly (s27).
Band 2 2.4 (Constable / PSO broadband)
- Base salary
- $72,317
- One week (base)
- $1,386
- One week with 22%
- $1,691
- Six weeks with 22%
- $10,147
Band 3 3.1 (Constable / PSO broadband)
- Base salary
- $75,233
- One week (base)
- $1,442
- One week with 22%
- $1,759
- Six weeks with 22%
- $10,557
Band 5 5.3 (Constable / PSO broadband)
- Base salary
- $111,861
- One week (base)
- $2,144
- One week with 22%
- $2,616
- Six weeks with 22%
- $15,696
Band 7 7.3 (Team Leader / Sergeant broadband)
- Base salary
- $132,185
- One week (base)
- $2,534
- One week with 22%
- $3,091
- Six weeks with 22%
- $18,548
| Pay point | Base salary | One week (base) | One week with 22% | Six weeks with 22% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 2.4 (Constable / PSO broadband) | $72,317 | $1,386 | $1,691 | $10,147 |
| Band 3 3.1 (Constable / PSO broadband) | $75,233 | $1,442 | $1,759 | $10,557 |
| Band 5 5.3 (Constable / PSO broadband) | $111,861 | $2,144 | $2,616 | $15,696 |
| Band 7 7.3 (Team Leader / Sergeant broadband) | $132,185 | $2,534 | $3,091 | $18,548 |
Calculated by us from the EA's fortnightly pay formula. The 22% applies to police and PSOs on the Operations or Rostered Operations patterns. The $3,500 Use of Force allowance and other allowances are excluded. Band 3.1 rises 2.7% on 9 December 2026.
A new constable at Band 2.4 earns $72,317 base. With the composite, six weeks off is worth about $10,147. The bands don't map neatly to rank titles: Bands 2 to 5 are the constable and PSO broadband and Bands 6 and 7 are team leader or sergeant level.
AFP take-home pay
Choose your band and increment, add the 22% composite and overtime, and see your fortnightly pay after 2026-27 tax.
Do AFP shift workers get extra leave?
No extra annual leave. The AFP agreement gives the same six weeks to shift and day workers. What it gives instead is Mandatory Rest Days (s57), available to everyone below Executive Level.
- 1
Four days on 1 March
CreditFour Mandatory Rest Days are credited on 1 March each year, for the period to the end of the following February (s57(2)).
- 2
Use them within 12 months
UseTake them by arrangement with your supervisor, who must give you a reasonable chance to use them. They can be taken together where operations allow (s57(3)–(5)).
- 3
They don't carry over
LapseUnused days lapse, unless you show reasonable grounds in a written submission and the Commissioner re-credits them (s57(6)–(7)).
- 4
A fifth day for using your leave
BonusUse 304 hours (eight weeks) or more of annual leave in a financial year, counting cash-outs and reduced accrual, and an extra day is credited on 1 September (s57(8)).
Shift work itself is paid for through the 22% Core Composite, which replaces afternoon, night, weekend and public holiday penalties (s27(7)). For how that compares with state shift allowances, see our police overtime and penalty rates guide.
Can you cash out, buy, reduce or halve your leave?
The AFP gives you four ways to reshape your annual leave, all in s53. Each needs the Commissioner's approval.
Cash out
- How it works
- Lump sum for accrued leave, paid as if you'd taken it
- Limits
- 3 times a year; min 19 hours; keep 152 hours; must have taken 38 hours in the last 12 months (s53(14)–(19))
Cash out on LSL
- How it works
- Cash out annual leave during long service leave of more than 7 days
- Limits
- Same minimums (s53(20)–(22))
Reduced accrual
- How it works
- Accrue less leave in return for a fortnightly allowance
- Limits
- 38-hour blocks, max 76 hours a year; never below 152 hours a year (s53(23)–(26))
Purchased leave
- How it works
- Extra leave paid for by a pro-rata salary deduction
- Limits
- 38-hour blocks, max 152 hours; one application a year; use within 12 months (s53(27)–(34))
Half pay
- How it works
- Take annual leave at half pay for twice as long
- Limits
- Only if your balance is 152 hours or less, unless approved; min 1 day (s53(35)–(37))
| Option | How it works | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Cash out | Lump sum for accrued leave, paid as if you'd taken it | 3 times a year; min 19 hours; keep 152 hours; must have taken 38 hours in the last 12 months (s53(14)–(19)) |
| Cash out on LSL | Cash out annual leave during long service leave of more than 7 days | Same minimums (s53(20)–(22)) |
| Reduced accrual | Accrue less leave in return for a fortnightly allowance | 38-hour blocks, max 76 hours a year; never below 152 hours a year (s53(23)–(26)) |
| Purchased leave | Extra leave paid for by a pro-rata salary deduction | 38-hour blocks, max 152 hours; one application a year; use within 12 months (s53(27)–(34)) |
| Half pay | Take annual leave at half pay for twice as long | Only if your balance is 152 hours or less, unless approved; min 1 day (s53(35)–(37)) |
Worked example: a Band 3.1 constable
At Band 3.1 ($75,233 base) with the composite, the minimum 19-hour cash-out is worth about $836 before tax. Buying the full four weeks (152 hours) costs about $7,038 a year, or roughly $271 a fortnight, because the deduction includes the composite (s53(31)). These are our estimates; the AFP calculates the exact deduction.
Why buy leave
- ✓Up to 10 weeks a year off in total, plus rest days
- ✓Super is still calculated on your full salary (s53(34))
- ✓Unused purchased leave is paid back after 12 months (s53(30))
What to watch
- ✕Purchased leave must be used before your standard leave (s53(29))
- ✕It can't be taken at half pay (s53(33))
- ✕Cashing out doesn't count as super salary (s53(19))
How much personal leave do AFP members get?
You get 136 hours 48 minutes (18 days of 7 hours 36 minutes) of personal/carer's leave a year (s54(1)). The full 18 days is credited the day you start, then accrues monthly after 12 months (s54(5)). It carries over but isn't paid out when you leave.
Personal leave rules (s54)
- ✓ Use it for your own illness, caring for family or household, health appointments or a chronic condition
- ✓ Half-pay personal leave can be approved
- ✓ Evidence can be required after 3 consecutive occurrences or 60 hours without evidence in a year
- ✓ A practitioner's certificate covers a chronic condition for up to 12 months
- ✓ Donate up to 2 days a year to the Serious Illness Registry if you keep 36 days
- ✓ Registry leave is for serious non-work illness such as cancer or major surgery
Work-related injuries go through Comcare under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, not your personal leave. If you're sick while on annual leave, purchased leave or long service leave, that leave is re-credited with evidence (s59).
How much parental leave does the AFP give?
Parental leave is one of the AFP's strongest conditions. It's available from day one, with no qualifying period, within a 24-month parental leave period from the birth or placement (s61(2)).
Primary caregiver
- Paid leave
- 18 weeks in total, including any 12 weeks under the Maternity Leave Act
- Section
- s61(7)
Secondary caregiver, 1 Mar 2026 to 27 Feb 2027
- Paid leave
- 14 weeks (or a top-up to 14)
- Section
- s61(8)
Secondary caregiver, from 28 Feb 2027
- Paid leave
- 18 weeks (or a top-up to 18)
- Section
- s61(8)
Half-pay option
- Paid leave
- Paid leave spread over up to 36 weeks at half pay
- Section
- s61(11)
Pregnancy loss (12–20 weeks)
- Paid leave
- 1 week paid
- Section
- s61(16)
Premature birth
- Paid leave
- Paid leave from birth until what would have been 37 weeks
- Section
- s61(18)
| Caregiver | Paid leave | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Primary caregiver | 18 weeks in total, including any 12 weeks under the Maternity Leave Act | s61(7) |
| Secondary caregiver, 1 Mar 2026 to 27 Feb 2027 | 14 weeks (or a top-up to 14) | s61(8) |
| Secondary caregiver, from 28 Feb 2027 | 18 weeks (or a top-up to 18) | s61(8) |
| Half-pay option | Paid leave spread over up to 36 weeks at half pay | s61(11) |
| Pregnancy loss (12–20 weeks) | 1 week paid | s61(16) |
| Premature birth | Paid leave from birth until what would have been 37 weeks | s61(18) |
At Band 3.1, 18 weeks of paid leave is worth about $25,959 at base salary and 14 weeks about $20,190 (our calculation). Paid leave can be taken flexibly, including to replicate a part-time arrangement, and both parents can take it at the same time (s61(9)). The AFP pays its 15.4% super contribution during paid parental leave.
How much long service leave do AFP officers get?
The EA hands long service leave to the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 (s58). Under the Act you need at least 10 years' service (s16), and your credit is calculated as three-tenths of a month for each year (s18). That's three months after 10 years, then 0.3 of a month for each further year.
At 10 years
3 months
full pay, LSL Act s16, s18
Each extra year
0.3 month
about 9 days
3 months at Band 7.3
$33,046
base salary, our calculation
At Band 7.3 ($132,185), each further year adds about $3,305 of leave at base salary. We haven't confirmed whether the composite is paid during long service leave; the Use of Force allowance is.
- ✓ Half pay for twice as long, on request (LSL Act s16(3))
- ✓ Minimum grant 7 calendar days, full or half pay (EA s58(2))
- ✓ Rest days just outside your leave dates aren't deducted (EA s58(3))
- ✓ Continuous state government service can count (LSL Act s11(2))
- ✓ Unpaid miscellaneous leave usually doesn't count (EA s68(7))
- ✓ Cash out annual leave while on LSL of more than 7 days (EA s53(20))
Can AFP members work part-time or flexibly?
Yes. The agreement says flexible work "applies to all roles in the AFP" and that requests are considered case by case "with a bias towards approving requests" (s89(1)). Flexible work covers changes to hours, patterns and location.
- 1
Put it in writing
RequestSet out the change you want, how long for and why (s89(6)).
- 2
Written response within 21 days
21 daysThe AFP must approve, agree a different change, or refuse with reasons and its business grounds (s89(7)–(8)).
- 3
Refusal only on reasonable business grounds
RefusalAfter discussing it and genuinely trying to reach agreement, for reasons such as cost, staffing, efficiency, safety or security (s89(10)–(11)).
- 4
Review after 12 months
ReviewApproved arrangements are reviewed after 12 months or sooner if you agree (s89(13)).
Part-time and the composite
Part-timers get pay and conditions pro rata, except long service leave, which follows the Act (s87(3)). Changing your hours through a flexible arrangement can affect whether you get the 22% Core Composite (s87(5)). Check before you sign.
What other leave and public holidays do AFP members get?
- ✓ Compassionate leave: 3 working days each occasion (s60(1))
- ✓ Bereavement leave: 3 working days, plus up to 5 more (s60(5), (8))
- ✓ Defence reservist: 4 weeks paid a year, +2 weeks in your first year; cadet officers 3 weeks (s62)
- ✓ NAIDOC: 3 days a year; First Nations ceremonial: 6 days over 2 years (s66)
- ✓ Cultural or religious leave: up to 3 days a year (s66(7))
- ✓ Family and domestic violence: paid leave, take it now and get approval later (s81)
- ✓ Miscellaneous leave, paid or unpaid, for other purposes (s68)
- ✓ Extra public holidays: the first working day after Boxing Day and the two working days between Christmas and New Year (s69(1)(k)–(l))
Three extra public holidays over Christmas and New Year sit on top of your six weeks (EA s69).
How does AFP leave compare with state police?
The AFP matches SA and Tasmania on annual leave but gives less than the NT's seven-week table. It leads on parental leave, with no qualifying period and 18 weeks for both carers from February 2027.
AFP
- Annual leave
- 228 hours (6 weeks) + 4 rest days
- Paid parental (primary)
- 18 weeks from day one
- Guide
- This page
SA Police
- Annual leave
- 6 weeks (240 hours)
- Paid parental (primary)
- 16 weeks; 20 after 5 years
- Guide
- SA Police leave
Tasmania Police
- Annual leave
- 228 hours, shift officers
- Paid parental (primary)
- 18 weeks after 12 months
- Guide
- Tasmania Police leave
NT Police
- Annual leave
- 7 weeks standard
- Paid parental (primary)
- 14 weeks; 18 after 5 years
- Guide
- NT Police leave
| Force | Annual leave | Paid parental (primary) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFP | 228 hours (6 weeks) + 4 rest days | 18 weeks from day one | This page |
| SA Police | 6 weeks (240 hours) | 16 weeks; 20 after 5 years | SA Police leave |
| Tasmania Police | 228 hours, shift officers | 18 weeks after 12 months | Tasmania Police leave |
| NT Police | 7 weeks standard | 14 weeks; 18 after 5 years | NT Police leave |
See every force in police leave entitlements in Australia. For pay and super, see the AFP force guide, and if you're moving across from a state force, our transfer guide.
Free email alerts
Changes to AFP leave and conditions
The current AFP agreement expires on 9 December 2027 and bargaining for the next one is already being discussed. We'll email you when the offer lands and what it changes for leave, rest days and pay.
- ✓Secondary caregiver leave rising to 18 weeks in Feb 2027
- ✓The 2.7% pay rise due 9 December 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do AFP officers get?
Six weeks: 228 hours a year, credited monthly, for everyone in Bands 1 to 8 and Technical Specialists, including ACT Policing officers and Protective Service Officers (AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, s53(1)). Executive Level staff get five weeks (190 hours). Annual leave is paid out when you leave the AFP.
Do AFP shift workers get extra annual leave?
No. Unlike some state forces, the AFP agreement has no extra week for shift workers: the six weeks applies to all non-Executive Level staff. Instead, everyone below Executive Level gets four Mandatory Rest Days a year, credited each 1 March, and the 22% Core Composite compensates for shifts, weekends and public holidays.
What are Mandatory Rest Days in the AFP?
Four paid days off a year for non-Executive Level staff, credited on 1 March and to be used within 12 months (EA s57). They don't carry over. If you use 304 hours (eight weeks) or more of annual leave in a financial year, including cash-outs, you get a fifth day credited the following 1 September.
Can AFP members buy extra leave?
Yes. You can apply once a financial year to purchase up to 152 hours (four weeks) in 38-hour blocks, paid for by a pro-rata deduction from your fortnightly salary (EA s53(27)-(34)). If you get the Core Composite, the deduction includes it so the composite is still paid during the leave. Unused purchased leave is refunded after 12 months.
Can AFP members cash out annual leave?
Yes, up to three times a financial year, at least 19 hours each time, as long as you keep 152 hours (four weeks) and have taken at least 38 hours of leave in the previous 12 months (EA s53(14)-(19)). Each cash-out is a separate written agreement. You can also cash out annual leave while on long service leave.
How much parental leave does the AFP give?
Primary caregivers get 18 weeks' paid leave from day one, inclusive of the 12 weeks under the Maternity Leave Act where that applies. Secondary caregivers get 14 weeks between 1 March 2026 and 27 February 2027, rising to 18 weeks from 28 February 2027. Paid leave can be spread over 36 weeks at half pay (EA s61).
How much long service leave do AFP officers get?
Long service leave follows the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 (EA s58). That gives three months on full pay after 10 years' service, then 0.3 of a month for each further year, and it can be taken at half pay for twice as long. The minimum grant is 7 calendar days.
Do ACT Policing officers get the same leave as other AFP members?
Yes. ACT Policing officers are AFP employees covered by the same AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, so they get the same annual leave, Mandatory Rest Days, parental leave and long service leave. Public holidays are those observed at your normal work location, so ACT officers get ACT public holidays.
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.
- Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (FWC AE526995) — s27 (composite), s53 (annual leave), s54 (personal leave), s57 (Mandatory Rest Days), s58 (LSL), s60–62, s66, s68–69, s81, s87, s89; read in full 9 Oct 2026
- Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 — s11 (prior state service), s16 (eligibility, half pay), s18 (credit formula)
- AFP: Leave, pay and benefits — long service leave after 10 years of Australian Government service
- AFP: Defence force transition — defence reservist leave
Related guides
Serving officers
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.