Leslie Massey
Australia's police forces are comprised of federal and state agencies, with each of the six states, the Northern Territory, and the Capital Territory having its own police force. The primary federal law enforcement agency in Australia is the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which was formed in 1979 and has over 200 diverse roles across 40 different career paths. The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) is the national body representing more than 65,000 police officers across all jurisdictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of police officers in Australia | Over 65,000 |
| First recorded police officer in Australia | John Smith, a free settler |
| Year of the first recorded police officer in Australia | 1789 |
| First death of a member of the police in Australia | 1803, Constable Joseph Luker of the Sydney Foot Police |
| Number of members in the NSW Police Force in 1962 | 6139 |
| Number of policewomen in the NSW Police Force in 1962 | 58 |
| Number of police cadets in the NSW Police Force in 1962 | 175 |
| Federal law enforcement agency in Australia | Australian Federal Police (AFP) |
| Year of formation of the AFP | 1979 |
| AFP's role | Investigating federal offences, providing protective services to federal properties, personnel, and dignitaries, and providing regular law enforcement in external territories |
| AFP's overseas operations | Providing liaison officers, community policing, contributing to peacekeeping operations, and countering terrorism and violent extremism |
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What You'll Learn
Australian Federal Police (AFP)
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the primary federal law enforcement agency in Australia. It was formed on 19 October 1979 through the amalgamation of the former Commonwealth Police and the Australian Capital Territory Police Force. The AFP has a broad mandate to enforce Australian criminal law and protect national interests. It is responsible for investigating federal offences, including complex, transnational, serious, and organised crime, as well as protecting Australians and Australian interests from terrorism and violent extremism.
The AFP operates throughout Australia and its external territories, including the Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island. It provides protective services to federal government properties, dignitaries, and major airports, as well as close protection for individuals identified by the Australian government as being at risk. The AFP also contributes to United Nations peacekeeping efforts and works with international partners to combat fraud and corruption.
The AFP has a diverse range of roles, including investigating threats and violence towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians, countering terrorism, disrupting the supply of illegal drugs, and detecting the possession and use of illegal firearms. The AFP also works to protect the security and safety of the Australian economy, people, and businesses.
The AFP is overseen by the Attorney-General's Department, with key priorities set by the Attorney-General through a "ministerial direction". It is a member of the National Intelligence Community and works closely with other agencies, such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Border Force, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
The AFP offers a wide range of career paths and opportunities for individuals interested in law enforcement and protecting Australia's national interests. It plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order, as well as safeguarding the country against various threats and challenges.
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State police forces
Australia's police officers are employed by all three levels of government – federal, state/territory, and local. Each of Australia's six states, its Northern Territory, and the Capital Territory has its own police force. The nation's capital, Canberra, is the site of the Commonwealth Police Force, a federal agency responsible for protecting political leaders and other important individuals, including diplomats.
The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) is the national body representing over 65,000 Australian police officers in all jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth.
State police officers routinely carry firearms. They are responsible for maintaining law and order in their respective states and have the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of violating the law. They work closely with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and local government agencies, to ensure the effective enforcement of laws and the protection of citizens.
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Australian Border Force
The Australian Border Force (ABF) is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Home Affairs. It is responsible for offshore and onshore border enforcement, investigations, compliance, detention operations, and customs services in Australia. The ABF was formally established on 1 July 2015, merging the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service with the immigration, detention, and compliance functions of the then-existing Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
The ABF has approximately 5,968 staff spread across 70 locations as of 2022. It is divided into two administrative groups overseen by senior ABF or APS employees and two operational groups, each led by an ABF Deputy Commissioner. The ABF's Marine Unit performs Coast Guard and marine law enforcement duties as part of the Maritime Border Command. The ABF also maintains a fleet of ships and coastal patrol vessels, with staff including Marine Tactical Officers, Engineers, Technical Officers, and other specialists who receive extra training in seamanship, navigation, and boarding operations.
To address national security threats, the ABF established the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), with officers based at eight major Australian international airports to intercept inbound and outbound passengers of interest. CTU officers receive use-of-force training and carry personal defensive equipment, including firearms. The ABF also utilises detector dogs to identify prohibited and restricted goods.
The ABF's formation in 2015 brought expanded legislative powers, including the introduction of sworn officers and an increase in officers authorised to carry firearms. These officers only have arrest and detain powers at airport and seaport jurisdictions, unlike the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which has broader jurisdiction. The ABF is a critical component of Australia's border security and law enforcement framework, working alongside other agencies to ensure the safety and security of the nation's borders.
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Australian Defence Force (ADF)
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the unified military organisation responsible for defending Australia and its national interests. It was established on 9 February 1976 to place the separate armed services under a single headquarters and command structure. The ADF consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The ADF has a strength of just over 89,000 personnel, including full-time active-duty members and active reservists. As of 30 June 2023, it had 57,346 full-time personnel and 32,049 reservists, making it the largest military force in Oceania. The ADF is well-equipped and technologically sophisticated, with a significant budget by worldwide standards. Its defence spending is 2.02% of GDP (as of 2024/25), and it offers over 300 different roles for women.
Each branch of the ADF has its own military police, which operate under the Joint Military Police Unit (JMPU). The ADF Investigative Service is also part of the JMPU and handles complex investigations under the Defence Force Discipline Act. The ADF has been involved in various overseas operations, including the 1991 Gulf War, where it deployed warships and a diving team to the Persian Gulf.
The ADF's defence strategy has evolved over time, initially focusing on "forward defence" and cooperating with allies to counter regional threats. After the 1991 Gulf War, there was a shift towards emphasising self-reliance and the defence of continental Australia, particularly the northern maritime approaches (Air-Sea Gap). The ADF restructured to increase its ability to strike at enemy forces from Australian bases and counter raids on the mainland.
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Police Federation of Australia (PFA)
The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) is the national body representing over 65,000 Australian police officers in all jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth. The PFA is the national voice of policing, protecting and promoting the interests of police officers and providing them with representation if needed.
The PFA was formally registered under Federal Industrial Law on 1 January 1998, and its Canberra office was opened by then-Prime Minister John Howard on 16 September 2003. The organisation was previously registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. An important moment in the history of the PFA was its formation as a national entity, replacing individual state unions. This merger occurred during a time of national labour movement in Australia, and it highlighted the political climate at the time. The PFA does not associate itself with any specific political party or ideology.
The PFA has pursued goals of professional mobility, nationally recognised standards, and consistent training outcomes. The promotion of professionalism within the police force is a key issue for the PFA, and they are actively involved in various activities to address this. These activities include establishing an Australian police service delivery code of conduct and developing strategies for the transition of training and education delivery from the vocational to the tertiary sector.
The members of each State, Territory, and Federal Police Association/Union are members of the PFA. As of December 2018, the PFA represented over 63,000 members nationally, an increase from the 50,000 officers represented in 2007. This makes it the union organisation with the greatest density level of membership in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The Police Federation of Australia (PFA) represents over 65,000 police officers in all jurisdictions.
Australia has federal and state police forces. Each of Australia's six states, its Northern Territory, and the Capital Territory has its own police force. The federal police force is the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The AFP enforces Australian criminal law and protects national interests. This includes investigating federal offences, providing protective services to government properties and personnel, and contributing to peacekeeping operations internationally.
Other law enforcement agencies in Australia include the Australian Border Force, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
