The AFP Senior Team Member APS5 role is a prime opportunity for individuals looking to build a public sector career in a law enforcement support capacity. Located at the Sydney Headquarters, this position provides operational support services critical to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). From managing an evidence storage facility to assisting with exhibits and property, you will play a key part in protecting the integrity of investigations and promoting community safety.
Working within the AFP offers not only a competitive salary but also a host of benefits under the AFP Enterprise Agreement. These perks include flexible work arrangements, a generous leave package, and access to professional development.
Imagine being the crucial link between sensitive evidence and successful investigative work. Whether it’s ensuring exhibits are catalogued without error or liaising with investigators to meet urgent deadlines, this role promises daily challenges and rewards. In the sections that follow, you’ll find everything you need to craft an exceptional application—complete with an example cover letter and statement of claim—to help you stand out for the AFP Senior Team Member APS5 position.
AFP Senior Team Member APS5: A Rewarding Role in the Australian Federal Police
Job Overview
| Position Title | AFP Senior Team Member APS5 |
| Organisation/Entity | Australian Federal Police |
| Job Location | Sydney Headquarters (NSW) |
| Work Type | Ongoing, Full-Time |
| Base Pay | Band 05 ($99,285 – $107,559) |
| Closing Date | 17 February 2025 |
About the AFP Senior Team Member APS5
The AFP Senior Team Member APS5 is an integral position within the Australian Federal Police (AFP), focused on law enforcement support through the management of property and exhibits. This function involves overseeing an evidence storage facility and maintaining high levels of accuracy to ensure exhibits and property are handled according to legislative requirements and the AFP Code of Conduct.
The AFP is committed to delivering effective policing solutions that protect the interests of Australians and uphold national security. By joining as a senior team member, you will be directly contributing to the success of investigative work by keeping all stored items safe, secure, and properly documented. This includes collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders who rely on efficient operational support services.
One of the key attractions of this role is the potential to work on high-stakes projects that support large-scale investigations, playing a vital part in the successful prosecution of crimes. Beyond the daily tasks of inventory checks and warehousing procedures, you’ll be immersed in an environment that values integrity, accountability, and teamwork.
Challenges for AFP Senior Team Member APS5
Holding the position of AFP Senior Team Member APS5 brings both rewards and unique challenges. Some of the primary challenges include:
- Maintaining Accuracy: With potentially thousands of dangerous goods and other hazardous materials passing through the facility, meticulous tracking is crucial.
- Compliance Environment: Every exhibit must be stored according to strict legislation and the AFP Code of Conduct for handling sensitive items.
- Physical Demands: The role requires manual handling and warehousing tasks that can be physically intense, from organising shelves to lifting items within safe limits.
- Team Coordination: Collaborating with colleagues from investigations, administrative support, and leadership teams calls for strong communication and adaptability.
- Balancing Security and Efficiency: Ensuring the integrity of evidence storage facility procedures without compromising timely support for operational teams.
Successfully meeting these challenges allows you to make a tangible impact on community safety and law enforcement outcomes.
AFP Senior Team Member APS5 Benefits
Becoming an AFP Senior Team Member APS5 opens the door to a meaningful public sector career in the heart of the Australian Federal Police. Here are several reasons why this role stands out:
- A Direct Contribution to Investigations: Your diligent property and exhibits management can be pivotal to successful investigative work.
- Generous AFP Enterprise Agreement Benefits: Enjoy up to six weeks of paid annual leave, flexible schedules, and a clear path for work/life balance.
- Merit Pool for Future Vacancies: By applying, you gain consideration for potential opportunities that may arise over the next 12 months.
- Ongoing Full-Time Role: The position offers security and consistent professional development avenues under the guidance of experienced AFP personnel.
- Exposure to Multifaceted Operations: Grow your skills in a complex environment that tests and refines your knowledge of operational support services, handling dangerous goods, and more.
Overall, this role supports national security objectives and provides a robust platform for personal and professional growth within a leading law enforcement agency.
AFP Senior Team Member APS5 Benefits Application Requirements
Application Process
Preparing a strong application is crucial. Below are the key steps:
- Resume/CV: Provide a clear record of your organisational support, warehousing, and other relevant experiences.
- Applicant Pitch (Up to Two Pages): This pitch is your chance to address how you meet the role requirements and selection criteria (detailed below). Showcase how your skills meet the Band 05 requirements by referencing real examples of investigative support or property management roles you’ve handled.
- Meet Security Requirements: You must be an Australian citizen and either hold or be able to obtain a Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) clearance.
Essential Role Requirements
Candidates for the AFP Senior Team Member APS5 role should meet the following essential role requirements:
- Australian Citizenship: This is mandatory for all AFP roles.
- Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) clearance.
- Commitment to Ethical Standards: Upholding the AFP’s high integrity and professional conduct at all times.
Selection Criteria
In addition to meeting the above requirements, applicants should address the following selection criteria in their Applicant Pitch. Your responses should include specific, real-life examples that demonstrate:
- Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes.
- Communicating and working effectively with other people.
- Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills.
When responding, consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to effectively illustrate how you’ve performed in situations similar to the responsibilities of an AFP Senior Team Member APS5.
Understanding and Addressing APS Work Level Standards
Although the AFP follows the APS framework rather than the NSW Capability Framework, focusing on the Work Level Standards is essential. By aligning your application documents to these standards, you show a clear understanding of how the role operates within the broader public sector career landscape.
An APS Level 5 employee undertakes moderately complex to complex work with limited direction. They manage their workflow, make independent decisions, and provide policy advice based on legislation. Responsibilities may include research, analysis, investigations, and administrative or operational tasks. They often interact with the public and external stakeholders, providing advice and support. APS 5 employees may also supervise lower-level staff, manage performance, allocate work, and facilitate on-the-job training.
For detailed guidelines on APS Work Level Standards, visit the official APS or AFP site. Tailoring your responses to these core capabilities—while weaving in relevant examples—will give you a competitive edge.
AFP Senior Team Member APS5 Application Checklist
| Action | Completed? |
| Review the role requirements and prepare your Resume/CV | |
| Draft a compelling Applicant Pitch, linking your experience to Band 05 responsibilities and selection criteria | |
| Write your cover letter and get it reviewed for clarity and impact |
Candidate Profile
Let’s consider Laura, a dedicated professional who has spent several years in a warehousing role within a compliance environment. She has developed meticulous inventory management skills and is comfortable with manual handling tasks that require lifting and sorting items in a secure facility. Seeking a more meaningful contribution to law enforcement support, Laura finds the AFP Senior Team Member APS5 role appealing. She values integrity, enjoys collaborative problem-solving, and hopes to apply her experience to uphold national security objectives through accurate and dependable exhibits and property management.
Example Cover Letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Senior Team Member (APS5) position at the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
As an Australian citizen with several years of experience in a compliance-focused warehousing environment, I am keen to contribute to the AFP’s critical mission of upholding national security and community safety.
In my current role, I oversee inventory management within a secure facility, ensuring meticulous tracking and accurate handling of sensitive items. My proven ability to maintain high standards of integrity and ethical conduct aligns well with the AFP’s core values. I am fully committed to preserving confidentiality and professional conduct at all times.
I understand that this position requires a Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance, and I am confident in my ability to meet and maintain this requirement. My diligent approach to compliance, combined with my manual handling capabilities and strong sense of responsibility, positions me to excel in exhibits and property management. I relish the opportunity to work collaboratively with law enforcement professionals and support the AFP’s strategic objectives.
Attached, please find my Applicant Pitch, which details two key examples of my relevant skills, experience, and achievements.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to the AFP team.
Yours sincerely,
Laura
What to Include in Your APS Applicant Pitch
Your pitch is your chance to highlight who you are as a professional and how you meet the role’s requirements. Focus on what you did, how you did it, and why you took that approach. If it applies, don’t forget to show off any leadership qualities.
When sharing examples, make sure to cover:
- The challenges you faced
- How you tackled them
- The outcome
Wrap up your pitch with a strong closing statement about why you are the best choice for the role.
Example APS Applicant Pitch
I am eager to join the AFP as a Senior Team Member (APS5), using my strong background in secure warehousing and compliance to support national law enforcement objectives. Below, I provide two examples that illustrate my ability to organise work, make sound decisions, collaborate effectively, and apply technical knowledge to achieve results.
Example 1: Organising Work, Making Sound Decisions, and Achieving Outcomes
Challenge:
In my previous role, I was responsible for processing a large consignment of high-value items under strict security and procedural requirements. This situation created several logistical hurdles, including tight timelines, elevated security risks, and a substantial amount of data entry. Ensuring that each step was handled accurately and securely was critical, as any oversight could compromise both the safety and integrity of the items.
How I Addressed It (What I Did and Why):
I recognised early on that the scale and complexity of the task could easily lead to errors or delays. To minimise these risks, I developed a comprehensive checklist system to break down the entire process into clear, manageable steps. This approach reduced the likelihood of mistakes by ensuring everyone knew exactly what needed to be done and in what order.
To further support accuracy, I introduced a digital tracking tool that recorded item details in real time. This allowed for immediate data verification and faster updates, ensuring there was minimal opportunity for duplicated efforts or missed entries. I believed that by using technology to automate certain tasks and provide reliable oversight, my team and I could focus on securing high-risk items first and maintaining a smooth workflow.
Throughout the project, I emphasised transparency and accountability. I clearly divided responsibilities among team members according to their strengths and made sure everyone understood the importance of meeting deadlines. By monitoring progress closely, I was able to quickly adapt and reallocate resources if any part of the process required extra attention.
Outcome:
As a result of these efforts, my team successfully completed the processing of all items ahead of schedule, meeting every security protocol without a single discrepancy. Management took note of our success and formally recognised our newly introduced digital tracking approach as a best-practice model. This initiative ultimately streamlined operations across the organisation, reducing errors in other departments and improving overall efficiency.
Example 2: Communicating, Collaborating, and Applying Technical Expertise
Challenge:
During a routine audit, I discovered that several inventory records did not match what we had on file. This mismatch indicated possible data entry errors or misplaced items and brought our overall system reliability into question. With multiple teams relying on this information to perform their duties—from IT and security staff to warehouse personnel—resolving the issue became a top priority.
How I Addressed It (What I Did and Why):
I knew that a swift and open approach was essential for maintaining trust. To ensure everyone was on the same page, I organised a cross-departmental meeting where I explained the technical specifications of our inventory management software. Demonstrating how to use the system’s reconciliation and reporting features was crucial in showing each team exactly where and how to spot potential errors.
I also created a shared digital workspace, giving all stakeholders real-time visibility into our progress. This streamlined communication, as updates could be posted and seen by everyone immediately, eliminating the need for lengthy email chains and multiple check-ins. My rationale for this approach was to combine transparency with clear accountability: if someone identified a problem or confirmed a fix, the entire group would know instantly.
To prevent future errors, I proposed a structured timeline for re-checking flagged discrepancies. This provided clear milestones, ensured that each department remained responsible for its portion of the review, and helped us stay on track.
Outcome:
Through this collaborative effort, we quickly identified a data entry mistake and corrected it before it caused any operational delays. By tackling the problem transparently and engaging all relevant teams, we reinforced interdepartmental trust and avoided further discrepancies down the line. Moreover, the process improvements we introduced—such as the shared digital workspace—became permanent enhancements to our audit procedures, benefiting the entire organisation over the long term.
Why I Should Be Chosen
These experiences highlight my capability to tackle challenges systematically, maintain high ethical standards, and collaborate effectively in secure environments. I am committed to upholding the AFP’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. By applying my proven organisational skills, attention to detail, and team-oriented mindset, I am confident I can make a valuable contribution as an AFP Senior Team Member (APS5). I look forward to the opportunity to support the AFP’s mission and uphold national security objectives.
Interview Preparation and Conclusion
NSW Public Sector Interview Practice
While the AFP operates under the Australian Public Service framework, the principle of preparing thoroughly for public sector-style interviews holds true. If you’re invited to interview for the AFP Senior Team Member APS5 role, consider these sample questions:
- Can you describe a time you had to manage a high-volume workload? Tip: Focus on how you organised tasks, delegated when necessary, and maintained compliance.
- How do you ensure safety and accuracy when dealing with exhibits and property? Tip: Reference any certifications, manual handling protocols, or hazard management processes.
- Tell us about a time you had to quickly adapt to a change in procedure. Tip: Show how you remained flexible while still adhering to the AFP Code of Conduct (or similar) and security protocols.
When answering, keep the STAR structure in mind. Demonstrate how you identify key responsibilities (Task), the steps you take (Action), and the positive outcomes (Result).
Example Answer (STAR):
Situation: “In my last role, I was unexpectedly tasked with managing a surplus of returned items due to an organizational restructuring.”
Task: “I needed to ensure these items were properly logged and stored without disrupting ongoing warehouse activities.”
Action: “I quickly coordinated with team members, allocated specific storage zones, and updated the digital inventory system to reflect the incoming items, following all safety and compliance guidelines.”
Result: “We successfully integrated all items into the warehouse with no misplacements, and the leadership praised the efficient transition. This experience highlighted my ability to handle sudden changes while maintaining accuracy and security.”
Final Thoughts
The AFP Senior Team Member APS5 position is an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for public service with practical skills in evidence storage facility management, compliance, and logistical coordination. By highlighting your experiences using the STAR method, ensuring your resume meets the selection criteria, and demonstrating your readiness for the physical and procedural demands of the job, you’ll stand out as a strong candidate.
If you’re ready to take on a pivotal role in law enforcement support, click here to apply via the AFP Jobs Portal.
For additional support with your cover letter or to enhance your overall application strategy, consider a cover letter review for just $19 to ensure you put your best foot forward.
