We’re recruiting. Want to learn more?’

Call 000 if you need urgent help
AFP Canine Operations responds to detection and general purpose canine tasks within Australia. It supports aviation security, community policing, and federal and international operations.
The program trains and develops dogs to support our operations in:
Our canine teams are based across Australia, including at all major airports and as part of ACT Policing.
Our National Canine Operations help protect Australia and Australians as part of a team of highly trained dogs and handlers across the country.
As a general purpose handler, you'll maintain and deploy general purpose police canines. You and your dog will help with such duties as:
As a detection handler, you'll maintain and deploy detection canines to support our operations in aviation, protection and community policing. You and your dog will help us detect such things as cash, drugs, explosives, firearms and technology. Dogs conducting detection work sniff between 5 to 10 times a second. Their smell processing capacity is 40 times stronger than humans, and studies have shown they can find a scent as faint as one part per million!
Our canine handlers are fit, resilient and committed to keeping the community safe. General purpose dogs live with their handlers, while detection dogs live in centralised kennels.
You'll also have the opportunity to work across teams and alongside people in many different roles in the AFP.
As a canine handler, you'll have access to a wide range of benefits and conditions. As your career evolves, you'll have the opportunity to progress through ranks from constable to sergeant and inspector.
To learn more about career progression, salary bands and entitlements, read our Enterprise Agreement.
Find out more about the history of canines with the AFP.
To become a canine handler, you must have 2 years of experience as either:
Once you have the required amount of experience, you’ll be able to apply for general or detection canine handler positions when they are advertised on our Jobs portal.
You'll have to pass additional checks and assessments as part of your application.
To start your career as a police officer or protective service officer with the AFP, you must:
You must also provide evidence that you:
Find out how to join us as a:
If you have at least 3 years of operational policing experience, and have not been out of a policing role for more than 5 years, you may be eligible to join the AFP as a police officer through our Lateral Program.
You'll be expected to hold a Diploma of Public Safety (Policing) or equivalent and have strong experience in criminal investigation. We encourage state or territory officers to apply.
You must also:
We offer a rewarding and challenging career, with the opportunity to develop excellence in detection, deterrent, and apprehension canine work. Our teams work across many crime types, disrupting crime to protect Australians and Australia’s interests.
National Canine Operations