Protective Service Officer - Alice Springs

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is growing its team across regional Australia and is looking for passionate people ready to jump into a role that’s exciting, rewarding, and meaningful.  

Located just outside of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap is one of the AFP’s most critical protection sites. As a Protective Service Officer (PSO) you will help protect a nationally significant facility by detecting, deterring, and responding to criminal and national security threats.

Your role will include:  

• conducting high-visibility patrols by vehicle, foot, or bike,  
• providing static protection services,  
• acting as a first responder in matters of national security,  
• reporting on data for operational purposes.  

PSO’s in Pine Gap work in small teams, offering exposure to a broader range of operational experiences than in a capital city. You’ll also get unique and specialised opportunities like short-barrelled rifle training. This position offers a starting salary of $138,470 per annum after graduation from the AFP College. This is inclusive of a base salary, 22% composite, a Remote Localities Allowance, a Remote Defence Capability Payment, and Use of Force (UoF) Allowance*. Penalties and overtime are paid in addition. PSOs also receive 15.4% superannuation, including during all periods of maternity leave.  

See Enterprise Agreement for further details.  

*The annual payment of the UoF allowance is dependent on members successfully holding and maintaining a UoF certification.  

Eligibility

All applicants are required to submit their interest by clicking ‘Apply’. Please ensure that you meet the minimum entry standards at the time you submit your application.  

To apply for this role, you must:  

• Be an Australian citizen.  
• Be 18 years of age or older.  
• Have attained a minimum educational level of a Year 10 Certificate, or higher
• Hold a valid Australian driver’s licence (P Plates are accepted).
• Provide evidence you can swim 100 meters freestyle, have current First Aid and CPR certifications.  

Benefits

PSOs at Pine Gap have access to a wide range of benefits and conditions. These include:  

• generous starting salary of over $138,000, ensuring a rewarding compensation for your skills and dedication.  
• annual salary increments in line with the AFP’s Enterprise Agreement and the opportunity to progress through the ranks, including Senior PSO, Sergeant, Inspector, and Superintendent.  
• get paid to train at the AFP College + accommodation & meals  
• 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  
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave for the primary carer  
• 11 weeks paid parental leave for partners, increasing to 18 weeks in 2027  
• flexible working arrangements, such as part-time work, job sharing or changes in work hours, patterns or locations  
• 15.4% superannuation, including during all periods of maternity leave  
• 40-hour working week with the option of flexible working arrangements  
• Long-range rosters allow for ease of lifestyle planning. Many PSOs already know what shifts they are working a year in advance  
• Enjoy a job with more days off consecutively to enjoy an active lifestyle in remote and regional locations – think camping, fishing, boating, 4WDing, hiking, biking and more  
• Opportunities to further develop on-the-job training and specialised roles (short-barrel rifles, Hostile Reconnaissance Threat Assessment, Behavioural Assessment and Security Questioning, Rapid Appraisal Officer capability, and Drone Operator).  
• As a PSO, you can go on to specialise in a particular field, such as canine handling, tactical response, discreet operations, maritime, bomb response, negotiation operations and close personal protection.  

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion  

• We’re all individuals and we love that. 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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.  

Ready to make a difference in Alice Springs? Submit your interest by clicking ‘Apply’.