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
• 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

Are you looking to pursue a career in forensic science?

The Australian Federal Police is recruiting for positions within our Forensics Command. Joining the AFP Forensics Command will provide you with opportunities to work in our award winning Canberra Forensic facility, or in AFP laboratories nationally (depending on role requirements), and even overseas supporting operations and partner agencies. Your in-house training will be provided by leading subject matter experts in their field using state of the art technology and you will have opportunities to cross skill through our premier Professional Development Continuum program. Support can also be provided for continuing education and to undertake research in your specialist area, including attendance at major conferences both nationally and internationally.

What is the role?

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for a role (Bands 3) within our Forensics Command. Opportunities exist in a range of Forensic disciplines which are further detailed in the Candidate Pack. Successful candidates will be placed into a merit pool to fill current and future anticipated vacancies over the next 12 months.

The role may be located in Canberra or the AFP Regional Commands in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Forensic members need to be both flexible and mobile as well as able to deploy both nationally or internationally as required.

You will also 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?

Forensics team members contribute to the achievement of business, investigation and intelligence outcomes through the provision of specialist forensic examinations and analysis or specialist technical intelligence skills. The role may also provide broad technical support including research and development.

Depending on the discipline, the role will involve a combination of the following:

• Organising, planning and conducting forensic examinations, and analyses (including technical analyses) into crime and serious incidents;
• Providing accurate, timely and impartial forensic evidence to the courts;
• Providing accurate forensic and technical intelligence advice to domestic and international clients;
• Generating, supporting and implementing improvement strategies and change management;
• Managing the research, planning, delivery and coordination of projects as determined by the relevant stakeholders in accordance with the agreed requirements, timeframes and budget; and,
• Maintaining currency in subject matter and training expertise through ongoing professional development and learning 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.
• Have a demonstrated capacity to learn technical or scientific concepts.
• Relevant tertiary qualification or extensive experience and knowledge in Forensic Science or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a high performing team.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in a NATA accredited laboratory, or under an internationally-recognised quality system.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to engage with investigators and other stakeholders.

Additional Information

• These positions are at the Band 3 level within the Forensics Broadband.
• Some of these positions will attracts a composite allowance in recognition of expanded working hours, normal patterns of attendance and shift patterns (such as afternoon shifts, weekends and Designated Public Holidays) that are required under the Operations working pattern. In accordance with the AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027, an employee who is required to work in accordance with the Operations working pattern will receive a Core Composite of 22% in addition to their Base Salary which will count as salary for superannuation. The Commissioner has the authority to remove a composite from a role.
• The selection advisory committee may request permission to contact your referees.
• No feedback will be provided to applicants that are unsuccessful at application stage. For applicants that progress past application stage, feedback will occur when the recruitment process has been finalised, if requested.

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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contact Officer: Andrew Stanley,

Contact Officer Phone: 02 5127 1919, ​

Contact Officer Email: [email protected]