Australian Border Force (ABF)
Profile Industry : Government & Defence

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is Australia’s frontline border law enforcement agency and customs service. We are an operationally independent body within the Home Affairs portfolio.

Our mission is to protect Australia’s border and enable legitimate travel and trade. Our vision is to be a global leader in border law enforcement and trusted partner that helps build a safe, secure and prosperous Australia. We aim to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the border.

We work closely with other agencies to share knowledge, expertise and intelligence in order to detect, deter and prosecute those who attempt to do us harm at the border. The work we do contributes to safeguarding Australia’s national security.

Australia has one of the largest and most challenging border environments in the world. Our border includes:

  • approximately 37,000 kilometres of coastline (much of which is in remote regions) and an offshore zone covering 10 million square kilometres of ocean
  • major and regional international airports
  • more than 60 international seaports

Our teams operate across all of these environments, with offices in every state and territory, and around the globe. Each week we:

  • inspect 1.1 million mail items
  • clear 750,000 air passengers
  • clear 700 ships
  • seize 850 prohibited drug imports
  • locate 300 unlawful non-citizens
  • collect AUD340 million in revenue on behalf of the Australian Government
  • patrol 2.3 million square nautical miles

Our headquarters is based in the ACT, with offices in each state and territory capital, as well as offices in regional and remote locations across Australia.

Opportunities

For more information on career opportunities visit our careers website.

All vacancies in the ABF are advertised via APS Jobs under the Department of Home Affairs, and you can apply through the Department of Home Affairs Career Opportunities page.

For information on ABF careers email ABF.Recruitment@abf.gov.au.

For information on the Border Force Trainee program email BFORT@abf.gov.au.

You may also like to follow our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn pages for updates on recruitment and more about what we do.

The diversity of our people is our greatest strength. A diverse workforce leads to a better understanding of our clients and the needs of the community. The Australian Border Force (ABF) values and welcomes the contributions of all of our people—from a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We encourage applications from people with different cultural backgrounds, race, ethnicity, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. The ABF is committed to providing a safe and supportive workplace for all lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) staff. The LGBTI Staff and Allies Network, which is open to all staff, raises awareness and supports LGBTI inclusion in the workforce. We are also a member of Pride in Diversity (PiD), Australia’s first and only national not-for-profit employer support program for all aspects of LGBTI workplace inclusion. We have recently released the LGBTQI Action Plan that details how every member of the ABF is a diversity and inclusion champion.

A career with the ABF gives you the opportunity to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments, while developing a career that is both challenging and rewarding. Our officers are operationally focused, uniformed and part of a disciplined law enforcement agency. They patrol our air and seaports, remote locations, mail and cargo centres and Australia’s extended maritime domain. Our officers also perform specialist functions relating to investigation, compliance and immigration detention operations.

Border Force Officers are multi-skilled, mobile, agile and responsive. We look for people who can:

  • commit to our values and behaviours, maintaining a high level of integrity and professionalism
  • meet and maintain stringent medical and psychometric standards, as fitness, health and mobility are vital to our work
  • commit to developing their skills and knowledge
  • exercise lawful authority efficiently and appropriately
  • meet and maintain high standards of operational readiness
  • use critical thinking, sound judgement, and be prepared to take reasonable and necessary actions
  • commit to community engagement and protection as well as client service

Our work is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Officers may undertake shift work as part of their role. Busy periods for us tend to align with peak travel periods when higher numbers of people enter and depart Australia, such as school holidays and Australian events. Opportunities for officers to take leave during peak periods may be limited.

 

To become a Border Force Officer and protect our border and our community, you must be:

  • an Australian citizen
  • 18 years or older
  • able to attain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance and Employment Suitability Clearance
  • able to attain and maintain relevant medical and fitness standards.

In addition to the above eligibility requirements, to apply for the Border Force Officer Recruit Traineeship (BFORT) you must:

  • be willing to complete Operational Safety Training and be willing to carry and use personal defence equipment, including a firearm, if required
  • have completed a Year 12 education, or Year 10 with a trade certificate or Year 10 with a Cert IV and/or equivalent
  • be prepared to meet our requirements as outlined below. ​

To work as a Border Force Officer you will need to:

  • be operationally ready (by attaining and maintaining the medical, fitness and psychometric standards required for the role)
  • swear the ABF oath or affirmation
  • wear a uniform if the position requires
  • actively participate in career management (ABF postings and deployments)
  • be able to be deployed at short notice across a range of operational domains

You may also be required to complete a working with children or vulnerable persons check.

Medical, fitness and psychometric standards

For general recruitment, you must meet the ABF medical requirements to be deemed operationally ready. You must undergo the ABF Medical Assessment with a suitably qualified medical practitioner, contracted by the Department of Home Affairs, and receive certification that you have the minimum level of health required to safely carry out the duties of a Border Force Officer.

You must also successfully complete the ABF’s Basic Fitness Assessment which will test your upper and lower body strength, core stability and aerobic capacity. A number of our roles require increased medical, fitness and psychological standards. To be recruited to these roles, you will need to successfully complete a Functional Fitness Assessment which will include a test of your flexibility, agility, strength, balance, coordination, power, speed and endurance. These roles include:

We may also require you to undergo periodic re-assessment.

ABF oath or affirmation

You will take an oath or affirmation when you are sworn in as a Border Force Officer. This reaffirms your commitment to uphold our values and behaviours and execute your duties according to law, while upholding our reputation.

 

Company Attribute
AWEI Bronze Employer
AWEI Gold Employer
AWEI Participating Employer
AWEI Platinum Employer
AWEI Platinum Qualifier
AWEI Silver Employer
LGBTI Diversity Strategy
LGBTI Employee Network
LGBTI Recruitment Policy
Pride in Diversity Member
Pride in Health Member
Pride in Sport Member
Transitioning Policy for Trans Employees