Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia.

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

The AFP Legal Corporate team is responsible for the provision of legal advice and litigation services that directly support the operational law enforcement activities of the AFP. AFP Legal provides high quality, cost effective in-house professional legal services in administrative, operational, commercial and employment law to the AFP.

Applications are sought from suitably qualified, professional, enthusiastic and committed lawyers wishing to be considered for the role of Lawyer (Band 6) or Senior Lawyer (Band 7 – 8) - AFP Legal Corporate – Employment and Dispute Resolution Team, which provides advice and assistance on employment law issues, and supports the AFP in its civil dispute resolution processes. While lawyers work across both practice areas, the AFP welcomes interest from specialist lawyers with experience in either employment or civil disputes.

The employment work of the teams includes providing employment law and industrial advice in relation to the AFP’s 8,000-strong workforce. You will provide advice on all aspects of employment law including: conditions of employment, bargaining, professional standards, work health and safety, discrimination, recruitment, and termination of employment.

Lawyers also manage employment-related litigation including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and workplace disputes. Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution team may also appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals as required.

The dispute resolution work of the team includes the management and conduct of an exciting and diverse range of large scale and complex litigation. You will have the opportunity to manage civil litigation claims across State and Federal jurisdictions, including litigation arising from the exercise of police powers, as well as public and administrative law litigation and coronial inquests. Experience in coronial inquests and advising on the handling and disclosure of sensitive information is also welcomed. Ideally you will also have sound knowledge of court practice and processes and be confident in using your proven analytical and drafting skills.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant legal practice that has a diverse and interesting range of work and internal clients and is committed to the development of its lawyers, and the maintenance of a supportive and flexible working environment.

As a Team Member in the AFP you will be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

What will you do?

Senior Lawyer – Band 7-8

Senior Lawyers should have 5 or more years’ post admission experience. Senior Lawyers have responsibility for managing a high volume of varied work. The role requires advanced legal technical knowledge and expertise, including the ability to provide timely, high level accurate legal advice with minimal supervision.

Senior Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution Team:

• prepare complex and routine legal advice for internal clients on all aspects of employment law, industrial relations and litigation;
• provide guidance and mentor more junior lawyers;
• manage civil litigation claims, including claims arising from the exercise of police powers, as well as administrative and public law matters;
• manage the AFP’s representation at coronial inquests;
• manage employment-related litigation, including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and industrial disputes; and
• appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals.

A Senior Lawyer is required to:

• have advanced legal technical knowledge;
• deliver high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and products;
• deal with more complex and challenging matters with minimal supervision;
• represent the AFP in high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders;
• demonstrate leadership and integrity in their interactions with team members and internal clients;
• provide an appropriate level of guidance and mentoring to junior lawyers;
• actively contribute to:
• legislative, governance and policy development; and
• shaping strategic thinking and harnessing information and opportunities for the broader benefit of the AFP.
• maintain currency of legal knowledge and skills through ongoing L&D opportunities outside the formal education process.

Lawyer – Band 6

Lawyers at the Band 6 level should have a minimum 4 – 5 years’ relevant legal experience. The role requires the provision of timely, well-written and accurate legal advice and support to internal AFP clients in support of the AFP’s activities, and compliance with its governance requirements.

Lawyers in the Employment and Dispute Resolution Team:

• prepare routine and more complex legal advice for internal clients on all aspects of employment law, industrial relations and litigation, under the guidance of a Senior Lawyer where appropriate;
• manage routine and more complex civil litigation claims, under guidance where appropriate;
• manage the AFP’s representation at coronial inquests, with guidance by Senior Lawyers;
• manage employment-related litigation, including unfair dismissal matters, general protections matters and industrial disputes, with guidance; and
• appear before the Fair Work Commission and other Tribunals in relation to routine matters.

A Lawyer in AFP Legal is expected to:

• deliver high-quality, pragmatic legal advice and products;
• take initiative and work with a significant degree of autonomy, but seek guidance and input as appropriate;
• liaise with AFP clients and take instructions;
• deal with more challenging matters under supervision of a Senior Lawyer;
• assist and support Senior Lawyers including in relation to:
• high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders; and
• legislative, governance and policy development.
• contribute to AFP Legal strategic and corporate projects; and
• maintain currency in legal knowledge through ongoing L&D opportunities outside the formal education process.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Hold a current practising certificate or be eligible to apply for one.
• Demonstrated experience in employment and dispute resolution law matters.
• For Lawyers (Band 6) – have a minimum of 4 – 5 years’ post admission experience
• For Senior Lawyers (Band 7 – 8) – have 5+ years post admission experience

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• Experience in prosecutions or other relevant regulatory agencies (State or Commonwealth).
• Experience in Commonwealth criminal law, litigation, subpoenas, Federal law court processes and/or witness protection
• Experience in information protection and statutory interpretation
• Experience working in a national security environment

Additional Information

Positions may be filled at the AFP Band 6 – 8 levels, within the AFP Legal Officer Broadband (Band 3 – 8), depending upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Note: Current AFP Lawyers are not eligible to apply for a promotion or advancement through this process.

When applying you will be asked to nominate your preferred band level, however final determination of the band level you are found suitable for is at the discretion of the panel.

This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Contact Officer: Helen Phelps,

Contact Officer Phone: 02 5126 0117,​

Contact Officer Email: [email protected]

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 04/04/2025