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Australian Federal Police · Serving officers

AFP promotion
bands, barriers and merit selection

AFP progression doesn't work like state police promotion. Here's how the Constable and Team Leader/Sergeant broadbands, soft and firm barriers and merit selection work under the 2024-2027 enterprise agreement, and what each step pays.

Updated 9 October 2026 15 min read Sources checked 9 October 2026 Independent, not advice

The short answer

AFP police don't sit rank exams. Pay runs through broadbands: Constable Bands 2 to 5 and Team Leader/Sergeant Bands 6 to 7. You cross a soft barrier (workbook) and two firm barriers (assessment, then 9 years' policing experience) as a constable. Entry to Band 6.1 is only by merit selection for a role, under the AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.

Band 6.1 (new Sergeant)

$111,861

base from 9 Dec 2025

Band 5 barrier

9 years

policing experience, from 1 Jul 2025

Core Composite

22%

on operational patterns

Acting pay starts

10 days

consecutive, on operations

Contents +
  1. 1Bands, not ranks
  2. 2The sworn pay ladder
  3. 3Core requirements for every move
  4. 4Constable broadband: the three barriers
  5. 5Merit selection to Sergeant
  6. 6What each step is worth
  7. 7What delays progression
  8. 8Higher duties and acting up
  9. 9Band 8, Executive Level and commissioned ranks
  10. 10Reviews and disputes
  11. 11How to prepare
  12. 12FAQs
  13. 13Sources

AFP progression runs on bands, not rank exams

If you've come from a state force, forget the idea of sitting a Sergeant's exam. AFP pay for sworn police is set by salary bands grouped into broadbands under the AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. National police, ACT Policing and, since 1 July 2025, Protective Service Officers all use the same structure.

Team Member / Constable

Bands 2-5

$64,754 to $111,861 base

Team Leader / Sergeant

Bands 6-7

$111,861 to $132,185 base

Core Composite

22%

on operational working patterns

Within a broadband, you climb by annual increments and by crossing barriers. Between the two broadbands, there's a merit selection. The agreement says neither police broadband is subject to job availability, so you don't wait for a vacancy to move up within Bands 2 to 5 or 6 to 7.

Where the rank titles fit

The agreement doesn't say which band equals Senior Constable or Leading Senior Constable. AFP rank insignia use chevrons below Inspector and Bath Stars from Inspector up, with a crown for Superintendent. Treat any band-to-rank mapping you see online as informal, and check your own with HR.

The sworn pay ladder, point by point

These are the key points on the police ladder from the current table, with the scheduled rise beside them. The 'with composite' column adds the 22% Core Composite paid instead of shift, weekend and public holiday penalties on the Operations or Rostered Operations patterns. That column is our calculation.

AFP police broadband pay points: From 9 Dec 2025

2.3

Broadband
Band 2 (Constable)
Base now
$69,698
From 9 December 2026
$71,580

2.4

Broadband
Band 2 (Constable)
Base now
$72,317
With composite
$88,227 calc
From 9 December 2026
$74,270

3.1

Broadband
Band 3 (Constable)
Base now
$75,233
With composite
$91,784 calc
From 9 December 2026
$77,264

3.5

Broadband
Band 3 (Constable)
Base now
$87,836
With composite
$107,160 calc
From 9 December 2026
$90,208

4.2

Broadband
Band 4 (Constable)
Base now
$91,420
With composite
$111,532 calc
From 9 December 2026
$93,888

4.5

Broadband
Band 4 (Constable)
Base now
$103,256
With composite
$125,972 calc
From 9 December 2026
$106,044

5.2

Broadband
Band 5 (Constable)
Base now
$107,566
With composite
$131,231 calc
From 9 December 2026
$110,470

5.3

Broadband
Band 5 (Constable)
Base now
$111,861
With composite
$136,470 calc
From 9 December 2026
$114,881

6.1

Broadband
Band 6 (TL/Sgt)
Base now
$111,861
With composite
$136,470 calc
From 9 December 2026
$114,881

6.3

Broadband
Band 6 (TL/Sgt)
Base now
$123,420
With composite
$150,572 calc
From 9 December 2026
$126,752

7.2

Broadband
Band 7 (TL/Sgt)
Base now
$127,806
With composite
$155,923 calc
From 9 December 2026
$131,257

7.3

Broadband
Band 7 (TL/Sgt)
Base now
$132,185
With composite
$161,266 calc
From 9 December 2026
$135,754

Base salaries from Attachment A of the AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027. Recruits at the College (2.3) don't receive the composite. The AFP's advertised packages also add the Use of Force allowance.

Notice the overlaps: 3.1 equals 2.5, 4.1 equals 3.5, 5.1 equals 4.5, 6.1 equals 5.3 and 7.1 equals 6.3. That's why barrier crossings in the police broadband jump straight to the second point of the next band.

The core requirements for every move

Before any increment or barrier, three conditions apply. They're in sections 11 and 101 of the agreement, and missing one is the most common reason progression stalls.

You must have

  • ✓ A current Performance Development Agreement (PDA) at the 'agreement signed' stage
  • ✓ A minimum 'fulfilled' rating on your previous PDA
  • ✓ Current Use of Force certification, unless the AFP Chief Medical Officer has exempted you
  • ✓ A professional standards history consistent with the AFP Core Values and Code of Conduct (for barriers)

For firm barriers, the agreement adds 'any additional formal assessment as required by a panel or committee'. The detailed assessment criteria for each barrier sit in internal AFP guidance, not in the agreement.

The Constable broadband: three barriers to Band 5

  1. 1

    College: Band 2.3

    Recruit

    Police recruits start at 2.3 and stay there until they complete recruit training. The agreement sets 19 weeks as the minimum time at that point.

  2. 2

    Graduation: Band 2.4

    12 months minimum

    On graduating and being assigned to a restricted policing role, you move to 2.4. You stay there at least 12 months and until the AFP workbook is complete.

  3. 3

    Soft barrier: 2.4 to 3.1

    Workbook

    The workbook must be signed off by you, a supervisor who has supervised you for at least three months, and the Commissioner. You then move on your next anniversary, or on the sign-off date if later.

  4. 4

    Increments: 3.1 to 3.5

    12 months each

    Annual increments, each needing the core requirements.

  5. 5

    Firm barrier: 3.5 to 4.2

    Assessment

    You must meet the assessment criteria, and the Commissioner must confirm it. It's your job to tell your supervisor the assessment is due at the start of your 3.5 year.

  6. 6

    Firm barrier: 4.5 to 5.2

    9 years' experience

    From 1 July 2025, you need the core requirements and at least 9 years of policing experience. Service with another police force counts; time as a recruit doesn't.

Bring your interstate service with you

Because experience from other police organisations counts toward the Band 5 barrier, a transferee with years of state service can reach 5.2 much sooner than a new recruit. Give HR documentary proof of your previous service early.

Before 1 July 2025, the Band 5 barrier needed 12 years plus two designated postings, or 12 years plus a detective designation, or 15 years. If you're comparing advice from colleagues, check whether it predates the change.

Merit selection into the Team Leader/Sergeant broadband

There is only one way into Band 6: 'advancement via a merit based selection process (for a restricted policing role)', in the words of the agreement's progression table. That means applying for a Team Leader/Sergeant role when it's advertised and being found the most suitable on merit.

The agreement defines merit as giving all eligible people the opportunity to apply for existing vacancies, with transparent decisions based on a fair assessment of the applicant's ability to do the role. The AFP Regulations 2018 list merit, alongside impartiality, fairness, openness and equity, among the values every AFP employment decision must reflect.

What helps in an AFP merit selection

  • ✓Recent, specific examples of leading a team or operation
  • ✓Acting time as a Team Leader with documented outcomes
  • ✓Breadth across investigations, ACT Policing or protection roles
  • ✓A clean PDA and professional standards record

What commonly hurts

  • ✕Answers about what you did alone rather than how you led
  • ✕Missing the role's specific selection criteria
  • ✕An expired Use of Force certification or unsigned PDA
  • ✕Generic examples reused for every criterion

Inside Band 6, you move by annual increments to 6.3. The firm barrier from 6.3 to 7.2 then needs the assessment criteria to be met and confirmed by the Commissioner, and again you must tell your supervisor at the start of the 6.3 year.

What each step is worth

The first table shows base salary at each barrier and selection, from the current table. The after-tax column is our calculation with 2026-27 ATO rates for a single person with no HELP debt or deductions.

Base salary change at each AFP barrier and selection

Graduation

From
Band 2.3
$69,698
To
Band 2.4
$72,317
Gross a year
+$2,619
Change
3.8%
After tax a year*
+$1,781
Note
Leave the College as a probationary constable

Soft barrier

From
Band 2.4
$72,317
To
Band 3.1
$75,233
Gross a year
+$2,916
Change
4.0%
After tax a year*
+$1,983
Note
AFP workbook signed off, at least 12 months at 2.4

Firm barrier

From
Band 3.5
$87,836
To
Band 4.2
$91,420
Gross a year
+$3,584
Change
4.1%
After tax a year*
+$2,437
Note
Assessment criteria; you skip 4.1

Firm barrier

From
Band 4.5
$103,256
To
Band 5.2
$107,566
Gross a year
+$4,310
Change
4.2%
After tax a year*
+$2,931
Note
9+ years' policing experience (from 1 Jul 2025); you skip 5.1

Merit selection (from 5.2)

From
Band 5.2
$107,566
To
Band 6.1
$111,861
Gross a year
+$4,295
Change
4.0%
After tax a year*
+$2,921
Note
Team Leader / Sergeant broadband

Merit selection (from 5.3)

From
Band 5.3
$111,861
To
Band 6.1
$111,861
Gross a year
+$0
Change
0.0%
After tax a year*
+$0
Note
No change on day one: 6.1 equals 5.3

Firm barrier

From
Band 6.3
$123,420
To
Band 7.2
$127,806
Gross a year
+$4,386
Change
3.6%
After tax a year*
+$2,982
Note
Assessment criteria; you skip 7.1

Band 8

From
Band 7.3
$132,185
To
Band 8.1
$132,185
Gross a year
+$0
Change
0.0%
After tax a year*
+$0
Note
8.1 equals 7.3; Band 8 is outside the sworn broadband

*After-tax change calculated by us on base salary with 2026-27 resident rates and the 2% Medicare levy. Excludes allowances, composite and super.

5.2 to 6.1 (new Sergeant)

+$4,295

4.0% on base

5.3 to 6.2 (after a year)

+$5,781

5.2% on base

Firm barrier 6.3 to 7.2

+$4,386

3.6% on base

With the Core Composite

If you work an operational pattern before and after the move, the 22% composite scales every change by the same proportion. These figures are our calculation (base x 1.22).

The same moves including the Core Composite

Soft barrier

From
Band 2.4
$88,227
To
Band 3.1
$91,784
Gross a year
+$3,558
Change
4.0%
After tax a year*
+$2,419
Note
AFP workbook signed off, at least 12 months at 2.4

Firm barrier

From
Band 3.5
$107,160
To
Band 4.2
$111,532
Gross a year
+$4,372
Change
4.1%
After tax a year*
+$2,973
Note
Assessment criteria; you skip 4.1

Firm barrier

From
Band 4.5
$125,972
To
Band 5.2
$131,231
Gross a year
+$5,258
Change
4.2%
After tax a year*
+$3,576
Note
9+ years' policing experience (from 1 Jul 2025); you skip 5.1

Merit selection (from 5.2)

From
Band 5.2
$131,231
To
Band 6.1
$136,470
Gross a year
+$5,240
Change
4.0%
After tax a year*
+$3,460
Note
Team Leader / Sergeant broadband

Merit selection (from 5.3)

From
Band 5.3
$136,470
To
Band 6.1
$136,470
Gross a year
+$0
Change
0.0%
After tax a year*
+$0
Note
No change on day one: 6.1 equals 5.3

Firm barrier

From
Band 6.3
$150,572
To
Band 7.2
$155,923
Gross a year
+$5,351
Change
3.6%
After tax a year*
+$3,264
Note
Assessment criteria; you skip 7.1

*Our calculation. The composite isn't paid at the College or on the Support working pattern, so a move into a day role can lose it.

Free tool

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Compare Band 5.3 with Band 6.2, including the 22% Core Composite, and see the fortnightly take-home difference after tax and super.

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What delays your progression

Section 11 of the agreement lists what holds back increments, and the same core requirements apply at barriers. None of these depend on vacancies, so they're largely within your control.

Reasons AFP increments and barriers are delayed (EA ss 11, 13, 101)

Not taking part in the PDA process (without an exemption)

Effect
Increment delayed until you do

PDA rated 'underperforming'

Effect
Delayed until you're rated 'fulfilled'

Adverse finding on a category 3 conduct issue or corruption issue

Effect
The Commissioner may defer advancement for up to 12 months

Leave without pay over 30 days in the previous 12 months

Effect
Progression deferred by the leave taken, unless counted as service

Late barrier assessment

Effect
Your new anniversary date becomes the sign-off date

If the AFP causes the delay

Section 13(13) creates a mutual obligation to take every step needed for timely advancement. If the AFP fails to meet its side, any delay in your incremental movement can be backdated. Unpaid parental leave counts as service, but you can advance only one increment during it.

Higher duties and acting up

Acting is how most constables first get Team Leader experience. The higher duties allowance is difference between current base salary and the base at the higher band.

Higher duties qualifying periods (EA s 39)

Operations or Rostered Operations

When higher duties pay starts
10 consecutive calendar days or more

Support, or acting at Executive Level or SES

When higher duties pay starts
10 working days or more

Any pattern

When higher duties pay starts
An aggregate of more than 20 working days in a financial year

Once you qualify, you're paid for the whole period. If you act for 12 months, continuously or in total over the last 24 months, and meet the increment rules, you also get increments at the acting band. You keep the Core Composite while acting only if the higher role is on an Operations, Rostered Operations or Fixed Term Mobility pattern.

Band 8, Executive Level and the commissioned ranks

Band 8 starts at $132,185, the same as the top of Band 7, so the move adds nothing on day one. Band 8 sits outside the sworn broadbands and has no composite figure in our data, so moving there means applying for a Band 8 role. Executive Level salaries run from $175,089 to $231,035, with increments each 1 July for those rated 'skilled' or above.

Commissioned rank is governed by the AFP Act and Regulations. Regulation 7 of the AFP Regulations 2018 says a member is competent and qualified to be a commissioned police officer if they're at least 18 and have the experience, qualifications, training and suitability the duties require. Which Executive Level points correspond to Inspector or Superintendent roles isn't stated in the agreement, and we haven't confirmed it.

In the AFP, the big pay gains come from increments and barriers, not from the day you're selected.

Reviews and disputes

The AFP doesn't have a promotions appeal board like some state forces. Instead, two mechanisms matter. First, the AFP Regulations 2018 (regulation 61) require the Commissioner to keep a process for reviewing AFP employment decisions, at least as favourable as the one in the AFP Certified Agreement 1999-2000. Second, the enterprise agreement's dispute resolution clause (section 99) covers disputes about matters arising under the agreement, starting at the workplace and then with your supervisor.

Get advice before you lodge anything

The details of the internal review process, such as time limits and what selection decisions it covers, aren't in the public sources we read. Termination decisions are expressly excluded from internal review. The Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) or your HR area can tell you which route fits your situation and the deadline that applies.

If a barrier assessment is late because the AFP didn't act, rely on section 13(13): the delay can be backdated. Keep written records of when you told your supervisor an assessment was due.

How to prepare for AFP progression and selection

A practical plan

  • ✓ Keep your PDA signed and your Use of Force certification current: both are conditions of every move
  • ✓ Diarise the start of your 3.5 and 6.3 years and tell your supervisor the barrier assessment is due
  • ✓ Document prior police service from other forces for the Band 5 experience test
  • ✓ Seek acting Team Leader opportunities and keep notes of outcomes
  • ✓ Prepare 8 to 10 leadership examples in STAR form for merit selections
  • ✓ Check whether a target role is on an operational pattern before applying, because it changes the composite
From A$49.99

Practise merit-selection answers

Rehearse AFP merit-selection answers on leadership, integrity, decision making and managing people, scored against STAR in seconds. One scored answer a day is free; full access is A$49.99 for 180 days. Independent practice, not an AFP product.

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Thinking of joining from a state force? Our guide to joining the AFP covers entry pathways. Compare promotion rules with SA Police, Tasmania Police and NT Police, or see where the AFP ranks in our highest-paid force comparison.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get promoted in the AFP?

Within the Constable broadband (Bands 2 to 5) you don't need a vacancy: you advance through annual increments and three barriers, a workbook, an assessment and a 9-year policing experience test. Moving into the Team Leader/Sergeant broadband at Band 6.1 needs a merit-based selection for a restricted policing role. Higher roles are filled through selection too.

What is a firm barrier in the AFP?

The AFP Enterprise Agreement defines a firm barrier as a point where job availability and/or successful assessment against criteria may be needed before you advance. In the police broadband, the firm barriers are 3.5 to 4.2, 4.5 to 5.2 and 6.3 to 7.2. The agreement says the police broadbands aren't subject to job availability.

How many years to reach Band 5 in the AFP?

From 1 July 2025, you move from 4.5 to 5.2 once you have 9 or more years of policing experience and meet the core requirements. Experience with another police force counts, but time as a police recruit doesn't. Before July 2025 it took 12 years plus designated postings or a detective designation, or 15 years.

How much does an AFP Sergeant earn?

The Team Leader/Sergeant broadband starts at Band 6.1, $111,861 base from 9 December 2025, and runs to $132,185 at 7.3. On an operational working pattern, the 22% Core Composite adds to that: about $136,470 at 6.1 on our calculation, before the Use of Force allowance.

Does promotion to Sergeant in the AFP come with a pay rise?

Not always on day one. Band 6.1 is the same base salary as Band 5.3 ($111,861), so a 5.3 constable selected for a Sergeant role starts on the same base. The gain arrives with increments: 6.2 is +$5,781 more than 5.3. From 5.2, the move to 6.1 is worth +$4,295.

Do AFP ranks match the pay bands?

The enterprise agreement doesn't map bands to rank titles such as Senior Constable or Leading Senior Constable. It names the broadbands Team Member/Constable (Bands 2 to 5) and Team Leader/Sergeant (Bands 6 to 7). AFP rank insignia use chevrons below Inspector and stars from Inspector up. Your HR area can confirm how your band relates to your rank.

Can I challenge an AFP promotion or barrier decision?

The AFP Regulations 2018 require the Commissioner to keep a process for reviewing AFP employment decisions, and the agreement's dispute resolution clause covers matters arising under the agreement, such as how advancement rules were applied. The internal review procedure itself isn't published in the sources we read, so ask the AFPA or your HR area.

Does acting as a Sergeant count in the AFP?

You're paid a higher duties allowance, the difference to the higher band's base, after 10 consecutive calendar days on an operations pattern, 10 working days on support, or more than 20 working days in a financial year. After 12 months acting (continuous, or in the last 24 months) you can also get increments at the acting band.

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.

  1. Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 — ss 11, 13, 39, 99, 101 and Attachment C; FWC AE526995
  2. Australian Federal Police Regulations 2018 — regs 6, 7 and 61: decision values, commissioned officer competence, review process
  3. AFP: Enterprise agreements (salary tables) — current rates
  4. AFP: Badges, uniforms and symbols — rank insignia
  5. Australian Federal Police Act 1979 (compilation 8 Nov 2025) — commissioned officers and employment framework
  6. AFPA: More responsibilities must come with more funding and fairer pay (21 Aug 2026) — next agreement priorities

Related guides

AFP salary 2026 → Every band and increment, with the Core Composite. AFP pay deal → The 2024-2027 agreement's rises and what's next. Promotion Prep → AI practice for merit-selection questions. AFP hub → Everything we cover about the AFP and ACT Policing.

Serving officers

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See every serving officers guide →

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.