View source for Australian Federal Police

{{Short description|Federal police department of the Australian Government}}
{{Distinguish|Federal Police (Austria)}}
{{Redirect|Australian Police|a general overview of policing in Australia|Law enforcement in Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Australian Federal Police
| abbreviation      = AFP
| formed            = {{Start date and age|1979}}
| badge             = Australian_Federal_Police_logo.png
| badgecaption      = Badge of the Australian Federal Police
| flag              = AustralianFederalPoliceFlag.png
| flagcaption       = Flag of the Australian Federal Police
| preceding1        = [[Commonwealth Police]]
| preceding2        = [[Australian Capital Territory Police]]
| preceding3        = [[Australian Protective Service]]
| preceding4        = Federal Bureau of Narcotics
| constitution1     = {{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|afpa1979225|Australian Federal Police Act 1979}}
| country           = Australia
| governingbody     = Government of Australia
| legalpersonality  = Police force 
| federal           = Yes
| police            = Yes
| local             = 
| headquarters      = [[Edmund Barton Building]], Canberra
| employees         = 8,082 (2024){{efn|Includes ongoing and non-ongoing employees for the year to 30 June 2024.}}<ref name="AFP Annual Report">{{Cite report |issn=2202-7491 |date=6 September 2024 |pages=126–127 |title=Annual Report 2023–24 |url=https://afp.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/AFPAnnualReport2023-2024_1.pdf |publisher=Australian Federal Police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414035902/https://afp.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/AFPAnnualReport2023-2024_1.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref>
| volunteers        = Small numbers for non-operations related activity.
| budget            = A$2.3&nbsp;[[billion]] (2025–2026)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.ag.gov.au/system/files/2025-03/2025-26-AG-Portfolio-PBS.PDF |access-date=4 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529011052/https://www.ag.gov.au/system/files/2025-03/2025-26-AG-Portfolio-PBS.PDF |archive-date=29 May 2025 |url-status=live |page=88 |chapter=1.3 Budget Measures |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |title=Portoflio Budget Statements 2025–26 Attorney General's Portfolio |number=1.2 |series=Budget 2025–26}}</ref>
| electeetype       = Minister
| minister1name     = [[Tony Burke]]
| minister1pfo      = [[Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Home Affairs]]
| chief1name        = [[Krissy Barrett]]
| chief1position    = Commissioner
| unittype          = Function
| unitname          = {{collapsible list |title=11 |Counter Terrorism |Protection Operations |Organised Crime and Cyber |Crime Operations |International Operations |Border Investigations |Technology and Innovation |Specialist Operations |Support Capability |Australian Institute of Police Management |[[ACT Policing]] }}
| officetype        = Office
| officename        = {{collapsible list |title=9 |Adelaide Office |Brisbane Office |Darwin Office |Hobart Office |Melbourne Office |Perth Office |Sydney Office |Cairns Office |Winchester Centre, ACT}}
| website           = {{official URL}}
| footnotes         = The Australian Federal Police, while a federal agency, provides policing to dependent Australian (on and offshore) Commonwealth Territories.
}}
[[File:Australian Federal Police Headquarters b.jpg|thumb|Former Australian Federal Police headquarters]]

The '''Australian Federal Police''' ('''AFP''') is the principal [[Federal police|federal]] [[law enforcement agency]] of the [[Australian Government]], responsible for investigating crime and protecting the [[national security]] of the [[Commonwealth of Australia]]. The AFP is an independent agency of the [[Department of Home Affairs (Australia)|Department of Home Affairs]] and is responsible to the [[Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Home Affairs]] and accountable to the [[Parliament of Australia]]. Since October 2025, the [[Police commissioner|Commissioner]] of the Australian Federal Police is [[Krissy Barrett]].

The AFP has a focus on preventing, investigating and disrupting [[transnational crime|transnational]], serious, complex, and [[organised crime]], including [[terrorism]] and [[violent extremism]], [[cybercrime]], [[child exploitation]], [[drug smuggling]], and [[human trafficking]]. The AFP is also responsible for delivering community policing in the [[Australian Capital Territory]] through [[ACT Policing]], and to other [[Territories of Australia|dependent territories]], providing protective security in [[Australian airports|major airports]], and [[close protection]] for dignitaries. The AFP also contributes to [[United Nations peacekeeping]] around the world. It is a member of the [[Australian Intelligence Community|National Intelligence Community]] and works closely with the [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]] (ASIO), the [[Australian Border Force]], and the [[Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission]].

==History==
The Australian Federal Police was formed on 19 October 1979 under the [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/afpa1979225 Australian Federal Police Act 1979]<ref name="afp.gov.au-Framework">{{cite web| url = http://www.afp.gov.au/about/framework.html| title = AFP governance framework| access-date = 25 August 2007| archive-date = 29 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070829132652/http://www.afp.gov.au/about/framework.html| url-status = dead}}</ref> after the merging of the former [[Commonwealth Police]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory Police]]. This followed a review of Australia's anti-terrorism capacity by Sir [[Robert Mark]], former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in the UK, which was commissioned by the [[Fraser government]] following the [[1978 Hilton bombing]]. In November 1979, the Federal Narcotics Bureau was transferred to the new agency.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050716075342/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117|archive-date=16 July 2005|title=Documenting a Democracy|author=National Archives of Australia|publisher=Australian Government}}</ref> In 1984 the protective service component of the AFP was separated forming the [[Australian Protective Service]] under the administrative service and later governed by Attorney-General's Department; that agency was transferred back to the AFP in 2004 and is now known as Australian Federal Police Specialist Protective Command or as "Uniform Protection" internally.

==Governance and oversight==
{{contradiction|date=August 2025}}
The AFP is an independent agency of the [[Department of Home Affairs (Australia)|Department of Home Affairs]] and is responsible to the [[Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Home Affairs]] and accountable to the [[Parliament of Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.directory.gov.au/portfolios/attorney-generals/australian-federal-police|title=Australian Federal Police {{!}} directory.gov.au|last=Agency|first=Digital Transformation|website=directory.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2022-08-05}}</ref> The AFP is responsible to The [[Attorney-General's Department (Australia)|Attorney-General's Department]].<ref name="Ministerial Direction"/> 

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, a joint committee of members of the [[Australian House of Representatives|Australian House]] and [[Australian Senate|Senate]], has responsibility for oversight of the AFP and the [[Australian Crime Commission]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Law_Enforcement/History_of_the_Committee| title = History of the Committee}}, Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, Parliament of Australia.</ref>

Separately, the [[National Anti-Corruption Commission (Australia)|National Anti-Corruption Commission]] (NACC) is charged with investigating systemic corruption in the AFP and other commonwealth agencies.<ref name="NACC-Jurisdiction">{{cite web |title=What can the NACC investigate |url=https://www.nacc.gov.au/reporting-and-investigating-corruption/what-investigate |website=National Anti-Corruption Commission |access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref>

==Roles and functions==
{{refimprove|section|date=August 2025}}
The AFP's role is to enforce [[Australian criminal law]], contribute to combating complex, transnational, serious and organised crime impacting Australia's national security and to protect Commonwealth interests from criminal activity in Australia and overseas.{{cn|date=August 2025}} Key priorities of the AFP are set by the Attorney-General, through a [[ministerial direction]] issued under the ''Australian Federal Police Act 1979''.<ref name="Ministerial Direction">{{cite web|url=http://www.afp.gov.au/about/framework/ministerial_direction.html |title=Ministerial Direction - AFP |access-date=2009-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021163714/https://www.afp.gov.au/about/framework/ministerial_direction.html |archive-date=21 October 2009}}</ref>

<!---the following could be integrated into the lists below --- this is just copied from the lead at the moment. All needs citing--->
The AFP has a focus on preventing, investigating and disrupting [[transnational crime|transnational]], serious, complex and [[organised crime]] including [[terrorism]] and [[violent extremism]], [[cybercrime]], [[child exploitation]], [[drug smuggling]], and [[human trafficking]].{{cn|date=August 2025}} The AFP is also responsible for delivering community policing in the [[Australian Capital Territory]] through [[ACT Policing]] and to other [[Territories of Australia|dependent territories]], providing protective security in [[Australian airports|major airports]] and [[close protection]] for dignitaries including the [[prime minister of Australia]] and [[List of diplomatic missions in Australia|foreign diplomatic missions]], delivering law enforcement training for [[Asia-Pacific]] partner agencies, acting as Australia's international law enforcement and policing representative, and contributing to [[United Nations]] [[peacekeeping]] around the world.{{cn|date=August 2025}} The AFP is also a member of the [[Australian Intelligence Community|National Intelligence Community]] and works closely with the [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]], the [[Australian Border Force]], and the [[Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission]].{{cn|date=August 2025}}

Areas of operational emphasis include:
*investigating complex, transnational, serious and organised crime
*protecting Australians and Australian interests from terrorism and violent extremism
*representing Australian police and law enforcement on an international level
*developing unique capabilities and exploiting advanced technology to support Australia's national interests.

Continued responsibilities include providing:
*community policing services under contracted arrangement, to the [[Australian Capital Territory]] and territories of [[Christmas Island]], [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]], [[Norfolk Island]] and [[Jervis Bay Territory]].
*a national protection capability to ensure the protection of specific individuals, establishments and events identified by the Australian Government as being at risk.
*a national counter-terrorism first response capability focused on aviation security and protection of critical infrastructure.

===National operations===
Federal agents are based in each Australian state and territory, internationally and form the largest component of the AFP staff, federal agents chiefly perform criminal investigative duties.

Current areas of focus for the AFP:
* [[Illegal drug trade|Illicit drug trafficking]]
* [[People smuggling]];
* [[Human trafficking]], including slavery and human exploitation;
* Serious [[Fraud|major fraud]] against the government
* High-tech crime involving information technology and communications
* Prevention, countering and investigation of [[terrorism]]
* [[Transnational crime|Transnational]] and multi-jurisdictional crime
* [[Money laundering]]
* [[Organised crime]]
* [[Cyber crime]]

The AFP hosts a National Missing Persons Coordination Unit and the Australian [[Interpol]] National Central Bureau.

===In Australian Capital Territory and other territories===
{{Main|ACT Policing}}
[[File:Melbourne, Australia.jpg|thumb|AFP vehicles in Melbourne]]
In addition to its federal role, the AFP provides policing services to the Australian Capital Territory and the [[States and territories of Australia|external territories]], including [[Christmas Island]], [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]], [[Norfolk Island]], and [[Jervis Bay Territory]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.afp.gov.au/about-us/our-organisation| title = Our organisation| date = February 2016}}, Australian Federal Police.</ref>

===Specialist Protective Command===
[[File:2006-2007 Holden Captiva (CG MY07) SX AWD wagon, Australian Federal Police (2007-04-03).jpg|alt=|thumb|An AFP vehicle on duty at [[Gold Coast Airport]] in Queensland]]
The AFP Specialist Protective Command provides physical protection for the Australian government at key locations throughout Australia and internationally. Uniform protection officers (identified as Protective Service Officers or PSOs) are firearms and defensive tactics trained, and perform duties which include armed escorts, bomb appraisals, bomb detection canines, visitor control, static guarding, alarm monitoring and response, mobile, foot and bicycle patrols, maintain civil order, security consultancy services, counter-terrorism first response at many Commonwealth establishments. Protective Service Officers have powers under Section 14 of the AFP Act 1979 to stop, request identification, search and arrest within their jurisdiction. Uniform protection officers undertake an essential role in protecting Australia's critical infrastructure and assist in providing protection for Australian high office holders, diplomatic, consular personnel and other foreign nationals.

Specialist Protective Command officers providing an armed uniform capability are located at federal establishments including [[Parliament House, Canberra|Parliament House in Canberra]]; the residences of the prime minister and governor-general; foreign embassies and consulates in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth; the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]], joint defence facilities such as the Australian Defence Force Headquarters in Canberra, Holsworthy Barracks, [[Garden Island Naval Precinct|Garden Island Naval Base]], Victoria Barracks, the Pine Gap US defence installation, and sensitive covert locations in Australia and internationally.

Aviation Uniform Police (AUP) are the primary law enforcement agency responsible for aviation security at the nine major Australian airports; Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns, Gold Coast and Perth.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFP airport operations |url=http://afp.gov.au/what-we-do/our-work-airports/afp-airport-operations |website=Australian Federal Police |date=6 April 2016 |access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> On 6 December 2019 the [http://afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/short-barrelled-rifles-roll-out-designated-australian-airports AFP announced] that the Protective Operations Response Team (PORT) members located at the nine designated Australian airports will carry the Daniel Defense Mk.18 Short Barreled Rifle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Short-Barrelled Rifles roll out at designated Australian airports |url=http://afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/short-barrelled-rifles-roll-out-designated-australian-airports |website=Australian Federal Police |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> The increase in AFP aviation protection capability was part of the [http://afp.gov.au/what-we-do/our-work-airports/aviation-security-enhancement-program Aviation Security Enhancement Program] (ASEP), the short barreled firearms specifically for the purpose of delivering a Counter Terrorist First Response (CTFR) role.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation Security Enhancement Program |url=http://afp.gov.au/what-we-do/our-work-airports/aviation-security-enhancement-program |website=Australian Federal Police |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref>

===International peacekeeping===
Since its inception, the AFP has had a long tradition of involvement in international [[peacekeeping]], policing and capacity development. International Deployment Group (IDG) is an AFP portfolio that has increased rapidly in a short time since its inception in 2004. Since 1964, Australia has contributed police officers to the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus]]. AFP officers have also previously served with the United Nations in [[East Timor]] (Timor-Leste) and [[South Sudan]].

In recent years, Australian government efforts to assist neighbouring and remote countries with institutional capacity building has led to AFP deployments to [[Papua New Guinea]], the [[Solomon Islands]] (Under the [[Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands]]), Timor-Leste (Under the [[Timor-Leste Police Development Program TLPDP]]), [[Nauru]], [[Tonga]], [[Vanuatu]], [[Afghanistan]], [[Samoa]] and [[Vanuatu]]. Previous peacekeeping missions have included [[Haiti]], [[Mozambique]], [[Thailand]], [[Namibia]], and [[Somalia]].

IDG uses the [[Specialist Response Group]] for particular medium and high risk planned operations or emergency incidents in addition to assisting with capacity building and force protection operations.

===Ceremonial and protocol===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}
The AFP Ceremonial and Protocol Team conducts and participates in a variety of police and community functions and ceremonies.

Ceremonial events include the annual National Police Remembrance Day Service at the National Police Memorial in Canberra on 29 September, medal presentations, parades, police funerals, memorial services, official opening of police stations and policing facilities, AFP pipes and drums concerts, inauguration events and public relations events. The Ceremonial Team coordinates the AFP Ceremonial and Protocol Officer (CAPO) Network and the AFP Pipes and Drums to perform ceremonial duties at these functions and ceremonies.

Formerly the Ceremonial team also included the AFP Ceremonial Mounted Cadre.  The AFP Ceremonial Mounted Cadre was raised on 29 September 2006 at the dedication of the National Police Memorial. The ceremonial uniform comprises linkages to former mounted policing units of the AFP's predecessor organisations, namely the Commonwealth Police and the Peace Officer guard, as well as mounted policing units from the NSW Police Force which patrolled the geographic area of the ACT. The Mounted Cadre was disbanded shortly after their final appearance at the opening of the AFP's new Headquarters in Barton on 7 April 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/gillard-opens-new-afp-headquarters/news-story/c047251cd7720229183c2779c7a795a0|title=Gillard opens new AFP headquarters|website=The Courier Mail}}</ref>

The AFP Ceremonial and Protocol team currently provide drill instructor accreditation for both the AFP and the [[NSW Police Force]], and ceremonial and protocol officer accreditation for all of Australia's policing jurisdictions.

===International liaison===
The AFP has an international network to assist with inquiries and liaison with police agencies around the world. The AFP represents Australian state/territory police agencies internationally. AFP's International Liaison Officer Network has 85 AFP appointees in 30 countries around the world. AFP International Liaison Officers are the Australian Government's law enforcement representatives overseas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/international-liaison/international-network.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021514/http://www.afp.gov.au/policing/international-liaison/international-network.aspx|title=International network|work=afp.gov.au|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref>

==Structure==

===Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams===
The Joint Counter Terrorism Teams (JCTTs) in each state and territory jurisdiction consist of AFP, state and territory police, and [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]] officers. JCTTs conduct investigations to prevent and disrupt terrorism and [[violent extremism]]. The JCTT model can be seen as the Australian version of the [[United States]]' [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]], [[Canada]]'s [[Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams]] and the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[National Counter Terrorism Policing Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afp.gov.au/en/policing/fighting-terrorism.aspx |title=Fighting terrorism – Australian Federal Police |access-date=2015-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228050437/http://www.afp.gov.au/en/policing/fighting-terrorism.aspx |archive-date=2014-12-28 }} AFP fighting terrorism information</ref>

The National Disruption Group (NDG) is an AFP-led interagency team which consolidates the capabilities of participating agencies to prevent, disrupt and prosecute Australian nationals who travel or intend to travel offshore to engage in hostilities and/or undertake terrorism training and support to terrorist entities. The NDG brings together the AFP and its partner agencies to coordinate operational disruption activities nationally and internationally with the aim of countering the enduring threat posed by foreign fighters.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/crime-types/fighting-terrorism/national-efforts| title = Fighting terrorism ► National efforts| date = 30 August 2016}} Australian Federal Police</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thepointmagazine.com.au/post.php?s=2015-05-06-afp-plan-to-disrupt-divert| title = AFP plan to disrupt, divert}} The Point Magazine</ref>

===Australian Federal Police College===
The Australian Federal Police College in [[Barton, Australian Capital Territory|Barton, A.C.T.]] is the training facility for the force.<ref name="afp-college">{{cite web |title=Training at the AFP College|url=https://jobs.afp.gov.au/become-an-officer/afp-college-training |website=Australian Federal Police |access-date=6 April 2022 |language=en |date=}}</ref>

==Commissioners==
The highest ranked AFP officer is the commissioner, appointed under Section 17 of the ''Australian Federal Police Act 1979''.

{{Infobox official post
| post                    = Commissioner 
| body                    = Australian Federal Police
| native_name             = 
| insignia                = 
| insigniasize            = 
| insigniacaption         = 
| insigniaalt             =
| flag                    = File:AustralianFederalPoliceFlag.png
| flagsize                = 
| flagalt                 =
| flagborder              = 
| flagcaption             = 
| image                   = 
| imagesize               = 
| alt                     = 
| imagecaption            =
| incumbent               = [[Krissy Barrett]]
| acting                  = 
| incumbentsince          = 4 October 2025
| department              = [[Department of Home Affairs (Australia)|Department of Home Affairs]]
| style                   = 
| type                    = 
| status                  = 
| abbreviation            = 
| reports_to              = Minister for Home Affairs
| residence               = [[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory
| seat                    = [[Edmund Barton Building]] 
| nominator               = Minister for Home Affairs
| appointer               = [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]]
| appointer_qualified     = 
| termlength              = 7 years, renewable at the [[At Her Majesty's pleasure|Governor-General's pleasure]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021C00043 |title=Australian Federal Police Act 1979 – Part III, Division I, Section 17 |last= |first= |date=1979 |website=legislation.gov.au |publisher=[[Office of Parliamentary Counsel (Australia)#Federal Register of Legislation|Federal Register of Legislation]] |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>
| termlength_qualified    = 
| constituting_instrument = ''[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020C00155 Australian Federal Police Act 1979]''
| precursor               = [[Commonwealth Police|Commissioner of the Commonwealth Police]]
| inaugural               = [[Colin Woods]]
| formation               = 1 August 1979
| founder                 = 
| named_for               =
| first                   = 
| last                    = 
| abolished               = 
| succession              = 
| superseded_by           = 
| unofficial_names        = 
| deputy                  = 
| salary                  = [[Australian dollar|A$]]720,480<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.remtribunal.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/FTO%202021%20-%20Compilation%20no.%202.pdf |title=Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Full-time Public Office) Determination 2021 |last= |first= |date=21 August 2021 |website= |publisher=[[List of Commonwealth courts and tribunals|Remuneration Tribunal]] |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>
| website                 = 
| footnotes               =
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Rank || Name || Post-nominals || Term began || Term ended || Time in appointment
|-
! colspan= 7 style="background:white;" | Commissioner of the AFP
|-
| Commissioner || [[Colin Woods|Sir Colin Woods]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|KCVO|CBE|QPMd}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 August 1979}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 January 1982}} || {{ayd|1979|10|19|1982|1|1}}
|-
| Commissioner (Major General) || [[Ron Grey|Ronald Grey]]<!-- [http://www.heidesmith.com/Portrait_of_Maj_Gen_Grey.html Portrait by Heide Smith]; [https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1073045 DSO], 21 December 1971, Citation: ''7 Royal Australian Regiment – Commanding in Vietnam''; [https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/879320 AO], 26 January 1983, Citation: ''For service to the Australian Army, particularly as Chief of Operations Army and as General Officer Commanding Field Force Command''.  --> || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AO|DSO}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 January 1982}} ||align=right| {{dts|30 November 1988}} || {{ayd|1982|1|1|1988|11|30}}
|-
| Commissioner || [[Peter McAulay]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AO|QPMd}} ||align=right| {{dts|30 November 1988}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 June 1994}} || {{ayd|1988|11|30|1994|6|1}}
|-
| Commissioner || [[Michael John Palmer|Michael Palmer]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AO|APM}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 June 1994}} ||align=right| {{dts|2 April 2001}} || {{ayd|1994|6|1|2001|5|2}}
|-
| Commissioner || [[Mick Keelty]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AO|APM}} ||align=right| {{dts|2 April 2001}} ||align=right| {{dts|2 September 2009}} || {{ayd|2001|5|2|2009|9|2}}
|-
| Commissioner || [[Tony Negus]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|APM}} ||align=right| {{dts|7 September 2009}} ||align=right| {{dts|30 September 2014}} || {{ayd|2009|9|7|2014|9|30}}
|-
| Commissioner || [[Andrew Colvin]] || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|APM|OAM}} ||align=right| {{dts|30 September 2014}} ||align=right| {{dts|1 October 2019}} || {{ayd|2014|9|30|2019|9|30}} 
|-
| Commissioner || [[Reece Kershaw]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-24/reece-kershaw-federal-police-career-northern-territory/11343548 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |title=Australia's new police commissioner: Who is Reece Kershaw? |author=James, Felicity |date=24 July 2019 |access-date=6 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/reece-kershaw-be-sworn-afp-commissioner |title=Reece Kershaw to be sworn in as AFP Commissioner |publisher=Australian Federal Police |date=2 October 2019 |access-date=6 January 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608113843/https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/reece-kershaw-be-sworn-afp-commissioner |url-status=dead }}</ref> || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|APM}} ||align=right| {{dts|2 October 2019}} ||align=right| {{dts|3 October 2025}} || 
{{ayd|2019|10|02|2025|10|03}} 
|-
| Commissioner || [[Krissy Barrett]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Worthington | first=Brett | title=Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw resigns early | website=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] | date=4 August 2025 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-04/australian-federal-police-commissioner-reece-kershaw-resigns/101577822 | access-date=4 August 2025}}</ref> || {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|APM}} ||align=right| {{dts|4 October 2025}} ||align=center| ''Incumbent'' || 
{{ayd|2025|10|04}} 
|}

== Ranks ==
{{main|Australian police ranks}}
AFP members performing duties in ACT Policing, External Territories, Aviation, International Deployment Group (mission component) use uniform and community policing ranks.  All other members use the title Federal Agent.  Where applicable qualified members are also entitled to use Detective designation.

AFP Commissioner's Order 1 (Administration) states that every AFP Member holds a rank (as detailed below), with the corresponding title and role adopted.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Australian Federal Police Commissioner's Order on Administration (CO1) |url=https://www.afp.gov.au/sites/default/files/PDF/IPS/AFP%20Commissioners%20Order%20on%20Administration%20CO1.pdf |website=afp.gov.au |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Uniform and Community
Policing Rank/Title
! Broadband Rank
! Role
!National
Operations Title
|-
| Constable
| rowspan="4" | Constable
| rowspan="4" | Team Member
| rowspan="4" | Team Member,
Federal Agent
|-
|First Class Constable
|-
|Senior Constable
|-
|Leading Senior Constable
|-
| Sergeant
|Sergeant
| Team Leader
| Team Leader,
Federal Agent
|-
| Inspector
|Inspector
| Officer In Charge
| Officer In Charge,
Federal Agent
|-
| Superintendent
|Superintendent
| Coordinator
| Coordinator,
Federal Agent
|-
| Commander
|Commander
| Manager
| Manager,
Commander
|-
| Assistant Commissioner
|Assistant Commissioner
| National Manager
| National Manager,
Assistant Commissioner
|-
| Deputy Commissioner
|Deputy Commissioner
|Deputy Commissioner
|Deputy Commissioner
|-
| Commissioner
|Commissioner
|Commissioner
|Commissioner
|}

First Class Constable is a reflection of four years of service. Senior Constable is a minimum of six years service. Leading Senior Constable is a reflection of at least 12–15 years of service. From there, promotion to Sergeant etc. is by application/merit and so on.

==Criticism==

=== Haneef affair ===
On 2 July 2007, [[Muhamed Haneef]] was arrested and held by the AFP and Border officers for terror-related incidents, as he was leaving the country. It was the longest detention without charge under recent anti-terror laws and was found to be unjustified. He received an apology and compensation after this.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Haneef-to-get-1m-payout-from-Oz-govt-for-false-terror-tag/articleshow/7141905.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104065129/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-22/india/28222172_1_mohammed-haneef-work-visa-peter-russo|url-status=live|archive-date=4 November 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Haneef to get $1m payout from Oz govt for false terror tag|date=22 December 2010}}</ref>

=== Martens conviction ===
In October 2006 a [[Cairns]] jury convicted pilot [[Frederic Arthur Martens]] under sex tourism laws of having intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in [[Port Moresby]], Papua New Guinea. However, Martens was not in Port Moresby at the time, and flight records could prove this. The AFP refused to retrieve those records despite numerous requests, and Martins could not retrieve them as he was in jail. When the records were eventually retrieved by Martens' partner the convictions were quashed, with strong criticism of the AFP by Justice Chesterman. The AFP also froze all of Marten's funds while he was in custody, which prevented treatment for his daughter in Port Moresby, who died as a result.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/afp-blasted-over-rape-evidence/story-e6frg97x-1225797555503|title=AFP blasted over rape evidence|date=13 November 2009|work=theaustralian.com.au|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Bali Nine ===
The AFP were contacted by a member of the [[Bali Nine]] drug courier gang's father, and they said they would keep a watch on him. They could not stop them travelling to Indonesia to smuggle drugs. Instead, they contacted the Indonesian police which led to their arrest in Indonesia rather than when returning to Australia. The leaders of the gang, [[Andrew Chan (drug smuggler)|Andrew Chan]] and [[Myuran Sukumaran]], were executed on 29 April 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bali-nine-executions-afp-defends-its-role-in-arrests-20150504-1mz88a.html | title=Bali nine executions: AFP defends its role in arrests}}</ref> The others were released from prison after 19 years and returned to Australia in December 2024.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/bali-nine-who-are-they-what-happened-everything-to-know-explainer/29ea1048-4832-43dc-b3fe-52285a4dab20 | title=Nine Australians flew to Bali in 2005. Today three are dead and the final five have returned home}}</ref>

=== Harun Causevic ===

Over 200 heavily armed police conducted raids at 3:00 am at various houses in Victoria on 19 April 2015, and then held Harun Causevic on a Preventative Detention Order (PDO), before charging him with terrorist offences.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/19/melbourne-teenager-charged-with-terrorism-offence-as-three-released | title=Victorian police granted order to hold man without charge following Melbourne raids}}</ref> Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said this was the first time a PDO had been used, and validated their importance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Alcorn|first=Gay | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/20/victoria-police-defend-force-used-during-terrorist-raids-despite-claims-of-injury | title=Victoria police defend force used during terrorist raids despite claims of injury|work=The Guardian|date=20 April 2015|access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref>

However, after Causevic spent three months in jail awaiting trial the federal police decided to drop the terrorism charges.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/25/federal-police-drop-anzac-day-terrorism-charges-against-harun-causevic | title=Federal police drop Anzac Day terrorism charges against Harun Causevic }}</ref> Causevic's defence lawyer, Rob Stary, said there was never any real evidence against Causevic, and that this eroded confidence in the authorities. He was also critical of the earlier "grandstanding" of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Daniel Andrews.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/terrible-injustice-lawyer-calls-for-apology-for-teen-terror-accused-harun-causevic-20150825-gj77ud.html | title='Terrible injustice': Lawyer calls for apology for teen terror accused Harun Causevic}}</ref>

=== Raids on media ===
{{See also|Smethurst v Commissioner of Police}}
On 4 June 2019 the AFP conducted a raid on the home of [[News Corp Australia|News Corp]] journalist [[Annika Smethurst]], looking for information connected to a story she had written a few years earlier about new laws that would give the security forces new powers for surveillance over Australian citizens.<ref name="abc.net.au">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-05/scott-morrison-defends-raid-on-journalist-annika-smethurst-home/11180186|title=PM defends AFP raid on journalist Annika Smethurst's home|date=2019-06-05|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-06}}</ref> Radio host [[Ben Fordham]] also claimed that he was under investigation for some of his reporting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/australian-federal-police-raid-political-editor-annika-smethursts-home-over-spy-story/news-story/135c27ced2becde0333c0ef61d901007|title=Ben Fordham targeted after AFP raid journo's home|date=2019-06-04|website=NewsComAu|access-date=2019-06-06}}</ref>

The next day the police raided the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) over a story about alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-05/abc-raided-by-australian-federal-police-afghan-files-stories/11181162|title=Police leave ABC headquarters with files after hours-long raid over special forces stories|last1=Knowles|first1=Lorna|last2=Worthington|first2=Elise|date=2019-06-05|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-06|last3=Blumer|first3=Clare}}</ref> The search warrant allowed the police to "add, copy, delete or alter" any files they found on the computers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/australia-abc-offices-raided-by-police-in-connection-with-afghan-files-series/ar-AACreBu|title=Australia: ABC offices raided by police in connection with 'Afghan Files' series|website=msn.com|access-date=2019-06-06}}</ref>

The incidents caused an outcry of condemnation from international media outlets, including the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] (BBC) and ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/world-media-condemns-australian-federal-police-raids-targeting-journalists|title=World media condemns Australian Federal Police raids targeting journalists|last=Bolger|first=Rosemary|website=[[Special Broadcasting Service]]|date=2019-06-06|access-date=2019-10-04}}</ref> However, Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]] said that "it never troubles me that our laws are being upheld".<ref name="abc.net.au"/> The AFP have not ruled out the possibility that reporters may also be charged in relation to the alleged offences being investigated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/possible-prosecution-of-journalists-sends-shockwaves-through-australian-media-20190606-p51v8i.html|title=Possible prosecution of journalists sends shockwaves through Australian media|date=2019-06-06|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref>

On 15 April 2020, the [[High Court of Australia]] ruled that the warrant used in the Smethurst raid was invalid.<ref name="abc-smethurst-invalid">{{cite news |last1=Byrne |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Doran |first2=Matthew |title=High Court throws out AFP warrant against News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-15/annika-smethurst-wins-afp-fight-high-court/12147706 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 April 2020 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

=== Lehrmann rape trial ===
The Australian Federal Police withheld evidence provided by ACT Policing investigators to ACT prosecutors in [[2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations]] to an inquiry into the handling of the matter due to laws preventing the agency from disclosing certain information. This led to accusations the agency was refusing to hand over the evidence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Josh |title=Australian federal police fails to hand over evidence from investigation into alleged rape of Brittany Higgins to inquiry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/30/australian-federal-police-fails-to-hand-over-evidence-from-investigation-into-alleged-of-brittany-higgins-to-inquiry |website=The Guardian |access-date=31 March 2023 |date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Angus |title=AFP withholding evidence from inquiry into Lehrmann rape trial |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/afp-withholding-evidence-from-inquiry-into-lehrmann-rape-trial-20230330-p5cwkb.html |publisher=[[The Age]] |date=30 March 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The inquiry was created in the wake of accusations of mishandling made by both the [[Director of Public Prosecutions|ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions]], [[Shane Drumgold]], and the Australian Federal Police against each other.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knaus |first1=Christopher |title=Prosecutor alleges police 'aligned with defence' in Bruce Lehrmann case and claims 'inappropriate interference' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/08/bruce-lehrmann-trial-brittany-higgins-dpp-director-public-prosecution-shane-drumgold-act-police |website=The Guardian |access-date=31 March 2023 |date=8 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Police union hits back at ACT's top prosecutor after he criticised officers' actions during Bruce Lehrmann trial |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-09/act-top-prosecutor-scathing-of-police-handling-lehrmann-trial/101753242 |website=ABC News |access-date=31 March 2023 |language=en-AU |date=8 December 2022}}</ref>

=== Member's conditions ===
The AFP changed rules around how firearms are checked out after a series of suicides in their offices, these changes were criticised by the [[Australian Federal Police Association|Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA)]] as a quick fix.<ref>{{cite web |title=Access to guns restricted among Australian Federal Police following workplace suicides |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-15/suicide-of-afp-officers-prompts-gun-rules-changes/10714804 |website=ABC News |access-date=31 March 2023 |language=en-AU |date=14 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Grant |title=I was a federal police officer and Australia's strongest man – but my mental illness almost killed me |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/01/i-was-a-federal-policeman-and-australias-strongest-man-but-my-mental-illness-almost-killed-me |website=The Guardian |access-date=31 March 2023 |date=1 August 2019}}</ref> The AFP has been criticised for low salaries, with accusations of having some of the lowest salaries of any police agency in Australia and some members being forced to find further employment.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Pocock enters khaki election, urges better supported federal police |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7711033/david-pocock-enters-khaki-election-urges-better-supported-federal-police/ |website=The Canberra Times |access-date=31 March 2023 |language=en-AU |date=25 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Loussikian |first1=Kylar |title=AFP officers forced to work second jobs to make ends meet |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/afp-cops-forced-to-work-second-jobs-to-make-ends-meet/news-story/7c2f30182348afc664881e93a00e5057 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=31 March 2023}}</ref> The AFPA has claimed that the AFP had become the lowest paid law enforcement agency in Australia and is losing dozens of officers to other agencies each month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Federal Police chase 20 per cent pay rise |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/australian-federal-police-want-20-per-cent-pay-rise-amid-claims-officers-are-quitting-due-to-poor-pay-c-12085254 |website=The West Australian |access-date=3 December 2023 |language=en |date=2 October 2023}}</ref>

=== Operation Bourglinster ===
The AFP was criticised for an operation in which it targeted a young boy with [[autism spectrum disorder]] who had developed a fixation on a terrorist organisation. The boy's parent reported their concerns to authorities, leading to the [[Australian Security Intelligence Organisation]], [[Victoria Police]], and AFP joint counter-terrorism team (JCTT) to begin Operation Bourglinster. Officers of the JCTT were accused of encouraging the boy's ideation with terrorism, leading to a Victorian court to impose a permanent stay on charges.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bucci |first1=Nino |last2=Justice |first2=Nino Bucci |last3=reporter |first3=courts |title=How Australian undercover police 'fed' an autistic 13-year-old's fixation with Islamic State |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/03/australian-undercover-police-autistic-13-year-old-fixation-islamic-state |website=The Guardian |date=2 February 2024}}</ref>

== Media portrayal ==
The AFP has appeared in several fictional [[television series]] and [[documentaries]]. The AFP was the focus of a documentary series called [[AFP (TV series)|''AFP'']], which followed AFP operations and training in Australia and internationally. AFP members have also appeared in other documentary series such as ''[[Border Security: Australia's Front Line]]'' and the ''Keeping Australia Safe'' miniseries.

The AFP is portrayed in the [[true crime]]-[[drama]] series ''[[Underbelly (TV series)|Underbelly]]'' and is also portrayed in the [[Military fiction|military]] [[Action film|action]] series ''[[NCIS: Sydney]]'' along with the United States [[Naval Criminal Investigative Service|Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)]].

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia}}
* [[AFP (TV series)|''AFP'' (TV series)]]
* [[Australian Federal Police Association]]
* [[Australian police ranks]]
* [[Specialist Protective Services]] (AFP's [[Police Tactical Group]])
* [[Terrorism in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Australian Federal Police}}
* {{Official website}}
*[https://jobs.afp.gov.au/work-with-us/areas-and-roles/specialist-protective-command Specialist Protective Command]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210929224327/https://www.afpfma.org/ Australian Federal Police Former Members Association]}}
* [https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020C00155 Australian Federal Police Act 1979]
* [http://www.police.act.gov.au/ ACT Policing]

{{Law enforcement in Australia}}
{{Australian intelligence agencies}}
{{Oceania topic|Law enforcement in}}
{{Australian Government Agencies and Bodies}}
{{Australian topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Australian Federal Police| ]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1979]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Canberra]]
[[Category:Australian intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of Australia]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism in Australia]]
[[Category:Protective security units]]
[[Category:National police forces]]
[[Category:National Central Bureaus of Interpol]]