What is the Australian Federal Police responsible for?
Answer
Federal crimes, national security, and assisting state police
Explanation
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws, protecting federal government interests, and providing policing services to the Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island, and Jervis Bay. The AFP is also Australia's lead agency for international policing cooperation and for counter-terrorism investigation, and protects federal politicians and facilities.
The AFP was established under the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 and operates under the federal Minister for Home Affairs. Its main functions cover counter-terrorism (including transnational and domestic terrorism investigations), investigation of serious organised crime including drug importation, human trafficking and slavery, money laundering, cybercrime, fraud against the Commonwealth, and online child sexual exploitation. The AFP is the Australian point of contact for the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and operates international liaison posts in more than 30 countries.
The AFP's protection mission covers the Australian Parliament House, federal courts and ministers' offices, foreign diplomatic missions in Australia, internationally protected persons visiting Australia, and the Governor-General. AFP officers in uniform are visible at Parliament House, ministerial events, and major international gatherings.
The AFP also provides general policing services to specific Commonwealth-administered territories. ACT Policing, a branch of the AFP, delivers all general police services in the Australian Capital Territory under contract to the ACT Government. AFP officers also serve in remote Commonwealth territories including Norfolk Island, Jervis Bay, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. General policing in the six states is delivered by state police forces (NSW Police, Victoria Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Western Australia Police, and Tasmania Police). The Northern Territory Police Force handles general policing in the NT. About 7,200 AFP staff include sworn officers, police custody officers, specialists, and corporate support staff, with the AFP Commissioner the senior officer.
Why this matters for your test
The AFP enforces federal criminal laws and provides specialist policing services across Australia, and recognising its role alongside the state police forces helps new citizens understand who to call for what.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
