COMSEC Officers (Band 6&7)

Job Details

 

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Various | Band 6 $111,861 - $123,420 | Band 7 $123,420 - $132,185

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15884

 

This advertisement is to create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

 

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

 

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

 

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 14 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

The Technology Operations & Chief Information Officer Command is a trusted frontline partner that enables policing through problem solving and technical expertise and excellence. The Command provides corporate application, ICT end to end solutions, advice, cyber security and infrastructure that underpin AFP activities. The Command aims to be a highly collaborative, innovative, reliable and trusted enabler across the AFP.

The Chief Technology Officer Branch is seeking Communications Security (COMSEC) Officers at the Band 6 and Band 7 level. You will play a key role in ensuring the enterprise network remains secure, adaptable, and aligned with both strategic and operational needs. The COMSSEC Officer will provide consultancy within their area of specialisation. They develop and promote technical solutions which support the business requirements of the AFP, within areas of expertise.

These roles are expected to operate with limited supervision, demonstrate sound decision-making, and adapt to emerging priorities. You’ll also contribute to a positive team culture by modelling professionalism, encouraging collaboration, and supporting team capability development. As a member of Chief Technology Officer branch, you will ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments.

What will you do?

As the COMSEC Team member you are responsible for the secure receipt, custody, issue, accounting, and destruction of classified cryptographic materials, equipment, and information. You ensure compliance with stringent government or organizational security policies, manage key management infrastructure, and oversee access to COMSEC material to prevent breaches. You will work proactively with internal stakeholders, project teams, and cyber security experts to ensure the enterprise network supports business priorities while complying with technical and governance standards.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Accountability & Inventory, maintaining 100% accountability of all COMSEC material, including key tapes, electronic keys, and devices.
• Compliance & Policy, implementing COMSEC policies (e.g., ACSI 104, NSA, DoD regulations) and developing Security Practices and Procedures (SPP) in accordance with legislated and regulatory responsibilities for COMSEC the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and Information Security Manual (ISM).
• Key Management: Ordering, loading, and distributing cryptographic keying material and managing cryptographic accounts.
• Access Control & Training: Managing access lists, vetting personnel, providing briefings and debriefings to users, and conducting training.
• Incident Management: Supporting COMSEC incident reporting, investigations, and emergency action plans.
• Auditing: Conducting regular audits, inspections, and inventories to identify vulnerabilities. 

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Qualified or able to achieve qualification as an Agency COMSEC Officer (ACO) (ASD course).
• Qualified COMSEC Account Manager (ASD course).
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• Demonstrated understanding of relevant strategies, policies, frameworks, standards, instructions, processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated sound judgement and decision-making in high-impact technical environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• Qualified or able to achieve qualification to use AKMI.

Qualified to operate, maintain and support departmental operated HACE including:

• Taclane
• AltoCrypt Stik
• Mini-CATAPAN PRIME
• Enterprise-CATAPAN PRIME
• IT security, security and risk management qualifications.

Additional Information

• These roles are located in Canberra ACT and successful applicants must be based there. Flexible/Hybrid work arrangements will be considered on a case by case basis.
• When applying you will be asked to nominate which band level/s you wish to be considered for. Note you will only be assessed against the band level/s you select.

Selection Criteria

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge and skills

Application

 

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

 

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role. If you intend on applying for both band levels, your pitch should address the selection criteria of the higher band level.

 

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application. Feedback will not be provided to candidates who do not progress to interview.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

 

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.  

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

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.

Contacts and Closing Information

 

Contact Officer: Andrew Cooper

Contact Officer Email: andrew.cooper@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 02/06/2026

 

To view other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

 

www.afp.gov.au