Job Description
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 mandatory leave rest days per year
18 days of paid personal leave per year
Generous superannuation of 15.4%
16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
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
AFP People Command
The Recruitment Team is part of the broader People Command within the Australian Federal Police and consists in the following functions:
Talent Acquisition Services - Recruitment of professional and operational support staff, including talent attraction and the provision of strategic advice and support to internal clients
Sworn Recruitment - Entry level Police and Protective Service Officer recruitment, internal Police and PSO promotional processes and Lateral Recruitment
Emerging Talent - Graduates, directions and internship programs
The Sworn Police and Protective Service Officers Recruitment team is tasked with administering national bulk recruitment processes year round, and supports candidates through their journey towards becoming a Police, or Protective Service Officer. The team also provides expert recruitment advice and services to our internal clients, represents the AFP brand as the first point of customer service for candidates, and ultimately supports the strategic intent of the AFP by recruiting the people we need, both now and for the future.
What is the role?
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and dynamic professional to help shaping the agency's future workforce, and contributing to the recruitment of the next generation of police officers.
The Sworn Operational Team Leader is responsible for leading the sworn recruitment team and providing clear direction and support ensuring the team manage priorities and deadlines efficiently and to a high standard.
In this role you will have a relatively high level of autonomy and will be responsible for workload allocation and exercise sound judgement to ensure efficient outputs. Ideally you will have relevant experience and knowledge of bulk recruitment processes, the current labour market and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Collaboration, strong attention to detail and a sense of urgency will be important personal traits.
As a Sworn Operational Team Leader in the AFP you play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of each individual. Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, the expectation is that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.
What will you do?
Provide day-to-day supervision of the team, monitor work performance and foster teamwork to ensure deadlines are met;
Oversee on-going bulk recruitment processes, ensuring timely progression of candidates through our ‘pipeline’ and placing candidates on scheduled recruit courses throughout the year;
Lead and mentor staff in the delivery of best-practice recruitment processes;
Deliver high volume transactional outcomes, balanced with leading continuous improvement;
Identify and lead projects and continuous improvement that support the AFP, its vision, and its strategic priorities;
Allocate and monitor team workloads including managing and triaging an external candidate mailbox and hotline;
Evaluate, implement and quality-assure recruitment processes and reporting outputs;
Participate in strategic discussions and support leaders in forward planning;
Prepare recruitment performance metrics, reports and provide statistical data and insights on recruitment related activities for our executive that enable effective decision making;
Liaise with internal stakeholders, including both internal clients and internal partners involved in delivering recruitment processes;
Contribute to the review and evaluation of recruitment policies and processes to enhance the delivery of recruitment to the AFP.
Essential Requirements
Experience working in a ‘bulk’ or volume recruitment environment;
Experience managing or coordinating the day-to-day tasks of a small team;
Contemporary understanding of Assessment Centres;
General proficiency using Microsoft Excel to analyse large data sets;
Experience using recruitment systems / applicant tracking systems;
You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application;
A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
Desirable Requirements
The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:
Possession of, or working towards, a qualification in Human Resource
Additional Information
This position is an AFP Band Level 6
This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra.
Proof of a minimum of two COVID-1+ vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made.
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 a disability.
Contact Officer - Richard Whitton,
Contact Officer Email: richard.whitton@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:5+pm (AEST) 0+/0+/2026
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 mandatory leave rest days per year
18 days of paid personal leave per year
Generous superannuation of 15.4%
16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
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
AFP People Command
The Recruitment Team is part of the broader People Command within the Australian Federal Police and consists in the following functions:
Talent Acquisition Services - Recruitment of professional and operational support staff, including talent attraction and the provision of strategic advice and support to internal clients
Sworn Recruitment - Entry level Police and Protective Service Officer recruitment, internal Police and PSO promotional processes and Lateral Recruitment
Emerging Talent - Graduates, directions and internship programs
The Sworn Police and Protective Service Officers Recruitment team is tasked with administering national bulk recruitment processes year round, and supports candidates through their journey towards becoming a Police, or Protective Service Officer. The team also provides expert recruitment advice and services to our internal clients, represents the AFP brand as the first point of customer service for candidates, and ultimately supports the strategic intent of the AFP by recruiting the people we need, both now and for the future.
What is the role?
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and dynamic professional to help shaping the agency's future workforce, and contributing to the recruitment of the next generation of police officers.
The Sworn Operational Team Leader is responsible for leading the sworn recruitment team and providing clear direction and support ensuring the team manage priorities and deadlines efficiently and to a high standard.
In this role you will have a relatively high level of autonomy and will be responsible for workload allocation and exercise sound judgement to ensure efficient outputs. Ideally you will have relevant experience and knowledge of bulk recruitment processes, the current labour market and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Collaboration, strong attention to detail and a sense of urgency will be important personal traits.
As a Sworn Operational Team Leader in the AFP you play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of each individual. Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, the expectation is that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.
What will you do?
Provide day-to-day supervision of the team, monitor work performance and foster teamwork to ensure deadlines are met;
Oversee on-going bulk recruitment processes, ensuring timely progression of candidates through our ‘pipeline’ and placing candidates on scheduled recruit courses throughout the year;
Lead and mentor staff in the delivery of best-practice recruitment processes;
Deliver high volume transactional outcomes, balanced with leading continuous improvement;
Identify and lead projects and continuous improvement that support the AFP, its vision, and its strategic priorities;
Allocate and monitor team workloads including managing and triaging an external candidate mailbox and hotline;
Evaluate, implement and quality-assure recruitment processes and reporting outputs;
Participate in strategic discussions and support leaders in forward planning;
Prepare recruitment performance metrics, reports and provide statistical data and insights on recruitment related activities for our executive that enable effective decision making;
Liaise with internal stakeholders, including both internal clients and internal partners involved in delivering recruitment processes;
Contribute to the review and evaluation of recruitment policies and processes to enhance the delivery of recruitment to the AFP.
Essential Requirements
Experience working in a ‘bulk’ or volume recruitment environment;
Experience managing or coordinating the day-to-day tasks of a small team;
Contemporary understanding of Assessment Centres;
General proficiency using Microsoft Excel to analyse large data sets;
Experience using recruitment systems / applicant tracking systems;
You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application;
A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
Desirable Requirements
The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:
Possession of, or working towards, a qualification in Human Resource
Additional Information
This position is an AFP Band Level 6
This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra.
Proof of a minimum of two COVID-1+ vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made.
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 a disability.
Contact Officer - Richard Whitton,
Contact Officer Email: richard.whitton@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:5+pm (AEST) 0+/0+/2026
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Operational Team Leader | Sworn Recruitment |Band 6 ACT position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Canberra offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.