AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE (AFP)

Australians Unified – Attorney‑General’s Portfolio

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is Australia’s national policing agency, responsible for protecting Australians, enforcing Commonwealth law, and safeguarding national security. The AFP leads complex investigations, combats serious and organised crime, responds to cyber threats, and supports community safety across Australia and overseas.

The AFP works closely with state and territory police, intelligence agencies, international partners, and the Australian community to uphold the rule of law and protect Australia’s interests.

 

OUR ROLE

The AFP exists to:

  • Enforce Commonwealth criminal law

  • Protect Australians from serious and organised crime

  • Lead national counter‑terrorism investigations

  • Combat cybercrime and online harms

  • Provide protective security for people, assets, and events

  • Support international policing and peacekeeping operations

  • Strengthen community safety and public trust

  • Work with partners across government, industry, and global law enforcement

The AFP ensures Australia remains safe, secure, and resilient.

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OUR STRENGTHS

Operational Strengths

  • Highly skilled investigators and specialist teams

  • Strong cybercrime, intelligence, and forensics capability

  • National and international policing footprint

  • Strong partnerships with state, territory, and global agencies

  • Proven ability to respond to complex, high‑risk threats

Sovereign Strengths

  • National authority for Commonwealth law enforcement

  • Trusted international policing partner

  • Long‑standing reputation for integrity and professionalism

OUR WEAKNESSES

Structural Weaknesses

  • Increasing demand on limited resources

  • Ageing facilities and operational infrastructure

  • Fragmented digital systems across commands

  • Slow recruitment and vetting processes

  • Heavy reliance on legacy technology in some areas

Operational Weaknesses

  • Rapidly evolving cyber threats

  • Workforce shortages in specialist roles

  • Rising complexity of transnational crime

  • High operational tempo impacting wellbeing

OUR THREATS

External Threats

  • Transnational organised crime networks

  • Cyber attacks and online exploitation

  • Terrorism and violent extremism

  • Global instability and geopolitical tensions

  • Rapid technological change

Internal Threats

  • Workforce fatigue and retention challenges

  • Outdated facilities and equipment

  • Rising operational costs

  • Fragmented information systems

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Opportunities

  • Modernise AFP facilities and digital systems

  • Expand cybercrime and intelligence capability

  • Strengthen partnerships with industry and global agencies

  • Improve community engagement and prevention programs

  • Enhance protective security and counter‑terrorism readiness

Operational Opportunities

  • Recruit and retain specialist talent

  • Expand regional and international policing presence

  • Improve data integration and analytics

  • Strengthen victim support and community safety initiatives

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BETTER INTEGRATION WITH NATIONAL SECURITY PARTNERS

One national law enforcement system

Key Actions

  • Integrated intelligence platforms

  • Joint operations with state and territory police

  • Strengthened international policing partnerships

  • Shared data and analytics systems

Outcome: A more coordinated, mission‑ready national security system.

 

5. A SAFER, MORE RESILIENT AUSTRALIA

Protecting communities and upholding the rule of law

Key Actions

  • Community safety and prevention programs

  • Victim support and justice initiatives

  • Online safety and child protection

  • Regional policing and peacekeeping

Outcome: A safer Australia with stronger public trust

THE FUTURE‑READY AFP

A national blueprint for modern, resilient, intelligence‑led policing

 

1. FASTER, MORE EFFECTIVE POLICING RESPONSE

Strengthening frontline capability

Key Actions

  • Modernised operational facilities

  • Faster recruitment and vetting

  • Upgraded digital policing systems

  • Improved intelligence sharing

Outcome: A more agile, responsive AFP.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY

Building Australian capability for Australian security

Key Actions

  • National cybercrime expansion

  • Sovereign digital forensics capability

  • Strengthened counter‑terrorism operations

  • Enhanced protective security

Outcome: A more self‑reliant, resilient policing system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT AFP WORKFORCE

Supporting the people who protect Australia

Key Actions

  • Workforce wellbeing and retention programs

  • Specialist training and career pathways

  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • Modern equipment and technology

Outcome: A strong, supported AFP workforce.

STRATEGIC ROADMAP POSTER — AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE

 

TILE 1 — TITLE TILE

AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE

Strategic Roadmap Future‑Ready AFP: Protection, Integrity & National Security Colour: Deep Navy

 

TILE 2 — PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Strengthen Core Policing

  • National capability audit

  • Priority upgrades to AFP facilities

  • Faster recruitment and vetting

  • Digital systems modernisation

  • Intelligence and forensics uplift Delivers: Faster, safer policing response Colour: Sage Green

 

TILE 3 — PHASE 2: ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capability & Modernise Operations

  • Cybercrime and intelligence expansion

  • Modernised equipment and technology

  • Strengthened counter‑terrorism capability

  • Improved community engagement

  • Enhanced protective security Delivers: Better integration with national security partners Colour: Blue‑Grey

 

TILE 4 — PHASE 3: EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign Law Enforcement Capability

  • Sovereign digital forensics

  • Regional and international policing expansion

  • Industry and global partnerships

  • National data and analytics systems

  • Strengthened victim support Delivers: Stronger sovereign capability Colour: Sand / Gold

 

TILE 5 — PHASE 4: FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

A Modern, Intelligence‑Led AFP

  • Smart policing technologies

  • Climate‑resilient facilities

  • Integrated national intelligence ecosystem

  • Continuous capability innovation

  • Fully modernised AFP estate Delivers: A competitive edge in national security Colour: Deep Teal

 

TILE 6 — PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Supporting AFP Members & Australians

  • Workforce wellbeing programs

  • Specialist training pathways

  • Community safety initiatives

  • Diversity and inclusion

  • Public trust and transparency Delivers: A strong, supported AFP workforce Colour: Olive Green

 

TILE 7 — OUTCOME TILE

THE FUTURE‑READY AFP

  • ✔ Faster, more effective policing

  • ✔ Stronger sovereign capability

  • ✔ A modern, resilient workforce

  • ✔ Better integration across national security

AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE — YEARLY COSTING MODEL

Aligned to the AFP Strategic Roadmap

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Strengthen Core Policing

Estimated Annual Cost: $2.4B – $3.1B per year

Breakdown:

  • Facility upgrades & safety compliance: $0.6B

  • Digital policing systems & intelligence uplift: $0.5B

  • Recruitment & vetting acceleration: $0.4B

  • Forensics & cyber uplift: $0.7B

  • Workforce wellbeing & support: $0.2B

2‑Year Total: $4.8B – $6.2B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capability & Modernise Operations

Estimated Annual Cost: $3.6B – $4.4B per year

Breakdown:

  • Cybercrime & intelligence expansion: $1.1B

  • Counter‑terrorism capability uplift: $0.8B

  • Modern equipment & digital tools: $0.7B

  • Community safety & prevention programs: $0.4B

  • Protective security enhancements: $0.6B

3‑Year Total: $10.8B – $13.2B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign Law Enforcement Capability

Estimated Annual Cost: $4.2B – $5.1B per year

Breakdown:

  • Sovereign digital forensics capability: $1.0B

  • Regional & international policing expansion: $0.9B

  • National data & analytics systems: $0.8B

  • Industry & global partnerships: $0.7B

  • Victim support & community safety: $0.6B

2‑Year Total: $8.4B – $10.2B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

A Modern, Intelligence‑Led AFP

Estimated Annual Cost: $4.8B – $6.0B per year

Breakdown:

  • Smart policing technologies: $1.2B

  • Climate‑resilient AFP facilities: $1.0B

  • Integrated national intelligence ecosystem: $1.4B

  • Continuous capability innovation: $0.8B

  • Fully modernised AFP estate: $1.0B

4‑Year Total: $19.2B – $24.0B

 

🇦🇺 TOTAL COST — 6‑YEAR MODEL

(Foundation → Acceleration → Expansion)

$24.0B – $29.6B

This represents a moderate uplift consistent with national policing transformation programs.

 

🇦🇺 TOTAL COST — 10‑YEAR MODEL

(Full Future‑Ready AFP)

$43.2B – $53.4B

This is consistent with long‑term AFP modernisation, cyber uplift, and infrastructure renewal.

 

HOW THIS FITS YOUR AUSTRALIANS UNIFIED SYSTEM

This costing model:

  • Matches the structure of your Defence Housing Australia modelling

  • Fits seamlessly into your Defence & National Security portfolio

  • Provides a credible, scalable financial framework