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Salaries and benefits

Offering a secure salary and generous leave entitlements in a diverse and inclusive culture
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Salary and leave entitlements

Enjoy a secure salary and generous leave benefits, including:

  • clear salary progression under our Enterprise Agreements
  • 6 weeks of paid annual leave per year (plus additional Christmas stand-down), with options to purchase more leave, take leave at half-pay or cash out leave
  • 4 mandatory rest days per year
  • 18 days of paid personal leave per year
  • 16 weeks of paid maternity leave after 12 months of service for each pregnancy, and an extra 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
  • 10 days of paid supporting partner leave for the birth of a child
  • 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year
  • paid long-service leave after 10 years of continuous Australian Government service
  • access to flex time for Band 1 - 8 employees
  • provisions for adoption leave and compassionate leave
  • opportunities for overseas postings.

Other key benefits include:

  • 15.4% superannuation, including during all periods of maternity leave
  • 40-hour working week, with the option of flexible working arrangements
  • study support, including study leave and financial support
  • career advancement and investment in your professional development, with ongoing training and support.

Recognition of prior service

When commencing with the AFP you may apply to have prior employment recognised by us for the purpose of continuing eligible service; and/or to facilitate the transfer of accrued paid leave entitlements, if you meet the criteria. Successful candidates are provided with a Recognition of Prior Service form as part of their formal offer documentation.

Long service leave

The recognition of prior service for the purpose of long service leave and long service leave entitlements in the AFP is managed and calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 (Cth)and Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Regulation 2016 (Cth).

Previous continuous employment in Government Service and/or eligible prior service can be recognised for long service leave purposes providing that any break in employment between ceasing duty with a previous recognised employer and commencing with the AFP is no more than 12 months.

  • Government Service means service with a Commonwealth agency (as per the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) or the AFP.
  • Other eligible prior service includes, but is not limited to, state, territory and local government, and the Australian Defence Force.

If recognised as eligible service, the service you had with your previous employer will count as if it was service with the AFP. This will then contribute to the qualifying period for  long service leave.

Prior service is used to recalculate your long service leave balance by including the period of prior service in the calculation as though it had been service with the AFP. Any long service leave taken  or paid out in your previous employment is then deducted from the new balance. Leave without pay taken during your previous service will be taken into account when recalculating your new credit balances.

Even if your long service leave was cashed out when you left your previous employer, that service will still count as eligible service.

Personal leave

If you have been previously employed by a Commonwealth agency, Parliamentary service or ACT Public Service you may apply to transfer unused personal leave to the AFP, provided:

  • there is no break in the continuity of service greater than 2 months
  • the application is submitted within 3 months of commencement.

Please note:

  • for the purpose of personal leave we do not accept the transfer of unused leave entitlements accrued from previous employment in state, territory or local government, or the  Australian Defence Force.
  • the transfer of unused personal leave into the AFP may be capped to a maximum amount.
Annual leave

The AFP has generous leave entitlements, and only under very limited and exceptional circumstances you may transfer unused annual leave credits. An application to transfer unused annual leave will only be considered if:

  • you have been previously employed by a Commonwealth agency, Parliamentary service or the ACT Public Service
  • there is no break in the continuity of service greater than 2 months
  • the application is submitted within 3 months of commencement, and
  • you can demonstrate you have an immediate requirement for that leave (e.g. a pre-planned holiday) and you may not have the opportunity to accrue the required amount of leave to cover the absence. This must be supported by evidence of the leave approved by the gaining AFP supervisor.

Please note:

  • For the purpose of annual leave we do not accept the transfer of unused leave entitlements accrued from previous employment in state, territory or local government or the Australian Defence Force.
  • The transfer of unused annual leave entitlements is not recognised by the AFP until payment has been received by the previous employer.

Health and wellbeing

We help you look after yourself.

Our Health and Fitness team supports the health and wellbeing of all our employees. We want to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient workforce by:

  • developing health and fitness programs to complement operational capability
  • promoting health and wellbeing throughout the agency via group fitness training and initiatives
  • providing and conducting health and fitness education
  • supporting health and wellbeing
  • coordinating the Endorsed Trainer program.

Our Health and Fitness team manages, and provides services out of:

  • the AFP College gym for recruits and training staff
  • the National Headquarters gym for all staff
  • gyms in offices across Australia.

Our gyms have a mix of free weights, machines, cardio and functional training equipment.

SHIELD health and wellbeing program

We respond to health needs that arise at work.

SHIELD supports all past and present employees, reservists and their families. It provides confidential, personalised care for all members, focusing on education and prevention, including regular health checks.

Each Regional Command has a team of clinicians and health professionals who understand the unique nature of our work, including:

  • doctors
  • nurses
  • physiotherapists
  • exercise physiologists
  • psychologists.

SHIELD provides staff education on maintaining good physical and mental health, and supports this through:

  • health assessments
  • physical exercise programs
  • overseas deployment support.

We track work health and safety throughout our workplaces. Early intervention includes peer support programs and debriefing after critical incidents.

Our Centre of Excellence guides our health and wellbeing services. We support and enhance operational performance through several wellbeing programs.

Supporting workplace injuries and illness

If you injure yourself or fall ill, you can access treatment options such as:

  • assessment of your injury or illness
  • diagnosis and care
  • case management support
  • care coordination while you undergo any treatment
  • support to return to work.

Our Employee Assistance Program is available to any member that needs more help.

We can also refer to external providers, including:

  • occupational therapists
  • pathologists
  • radiography
  • dentists
  • chiropractors
  • opticians
  • remedial massage therapists.
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In partnership with the Department of Defence, we provide protective services at 3 Defence sites:

  • Exmouth, Western Australia
  • Geraldton, Western Australia
  • Pine Gap, Northern Territory.

Our Remote Defence Capability Payment (RDCP) helps our employees live and work in these locations. Those deployed will receive up to $30,000 per year (taxable) and an additional Remote Localities Allowance.

The RDCP is paid each year to eligible AFP employees permanently located at one of the 3 remote locations. This payment is in addition to the salary rates outlined in our Enterprise Agreement.

Remote Defence Capability Payment

  • Naval Communications Station, Exmouth - $30,000 per annum
  • Joint Defence Facility, Pine Gap - $30,000 per annum
  • Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station, Geraldton - $10,000 per annum

Remote Localities Allowance

  • Naval Communications Station, Exmouth - $10,970 per annum
  • Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap - $10,970 per annum
  • Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station, Geraldton -  $3,708 per annum
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