AFP puts call out for new protective officers at Central Australia’s Pine Gap intel facility
The Australian Federal Police needs new protective officers at Central Australia’s secretive Pine Gap intelligence facility. Here’s what the officers do and why you could be a perfect fit.
Northern Territory
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The Australian Federal Police has put the call out for new protective service officers at the secretive signals intelligence facility at Pine Gap in Central Australia, with successful applicants able to earn six figures while being subject to few formal entry requirements.
In a statement, AFP said a “rewarding and exciting” career was on offer at “one of Australia’s most unique locations: Pine Gap in the Northern Territory”.
“Pine Gap is one of the AFP’s most critical protection sites, located just outside of Alice Springs,” it said.
“Protective service officers [PSOs] located in Pine Gap are trained to detect, deter and disrupt criminal activity at the dedicated defence facility.
“The role of a PSO is open to anyone, from those finishing high school and just starting their career, to those looking for a career change who meet the eligibility requirements.
“Responsibilities include foot, bike and vehicle patrols of the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap,
providing static protection services, acting as first responders in matters of national security and reporting on data for operational purposes.”
New recruits can expect a starting salary of $116,000 (plus overtime and penalties) and are subject to few formal entry requirements.
They must be over the age of 18, an Australian citizen, hold a minimum education level of at least a year 10 certificate, and demonstrate further work experience or vocational education qualifications.
They must also hold current first aid and CPR certifications and be able to swim 100m freestyle.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Scott Growden said the job would suit men or women of action.
“There’s no chance of being caught behind a desk in this role – our PSOs in Pine Gap are our boots on the ground, working to protect a critical Australian establishment,” he said.
“This is a great job for those who have finished their studies and are deciding what career path is best for them, or those looking for a career change.
“Consider spending a gap year as an AFP PSO based in Pine Gap and discover a job that is challenging and rewarding, where the day-to-day work you do will make a difference.”
AFP PSO Michael Erickson said those based at Pine Gap were always on the move adapting to the world around them.
“There’s always something to learn while on the job whether it’s drones, bikes, rapid appraisal, short-barrel rifles being rolled out, four-wheel driving – there are plenty of unique experiences,” PSO Erickson said.
Applications are open now for the 2025 intake of PSOs via the AFP jobs portal online.
Becoming operational in 1970, the joint United States-Australia signals intelligence facility, the subject of Netflix series and podcasts, protests and conspiracy theories, is rarely out of the headlines.
Think tank the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability describes it as “perhaps the most important United States intelligence facility outside that country,” which critics use to argue our hosting of the facility makes us a target for malign foreign actors who might otherwise spare Australia from attack.
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