• AFP appointees may apply for approval to engage in secondary work or volunteering – if such activities do not represent integrity or reputational risk to the organisation or the AFP appointee, or create a work health and safety risk for AFP appointees in the performance of their official duties. Some activities are classified as prohibited or restricted, and failure to obtain approval may result in an appointee breaching the Commissioner’s Order on Professional Standards (CO2) and lead to disciplinary action.

The premise of secondary employment is that should members engage in either paid or voluntary work outside of the AFP, that engagement or activity must not pose a risk to the AFP’s reputation or risk the member’s health and safety in their AFP duties. At all times, the member’s employment with the AFP must take precedence over secondary employment.

Considerations

Noting the above, there are primary considerations when assessing, recommending, and/or approving secondary employment (work or volunteering). These include:

  • Minimisation of potential for corrupt conduct, conflicts of interest, and/or compromise of AFP operations and information.
  • Protection of the integrity and reputation of the AFP and applicant.
  • Maintenance of security control for the AFP and applicant.
  • Promotion of work health and safety and wellbeing of the applicant and all AFP appointees.
  • Continuation of effective performance of the applicant’s AFP duties.

Should the delegate conclude that the proposed secondary work or volunteering breaches these considerations or is a prohibited or restricted activity, the application will not be approved.

Prohibited Activities

The below types of work and/or volunteering are considered prohibited and must not be approved for secondary employment.

  • Non-government roles that publicly advertise employment with the AFP (i.e., recruitment positions).
  • Roles that require the AFP uniform or controlled items or equipment to be worn.
  • Roles that use AFP ICT systems, AFP resources, classified information, intellectual property, or knowledge that has been obtained through the applicant’s employment with the AFP.
  • Organisations that advocate behaviour contrary to the AFP Code of Conduct (i.e., gangs).

How to Apply for Secondary Employment

Members must submit one application for each activity or role outside of the AFP. To do this, the following process is undertaken:

  1. Apply for Leave Without Pay (if applicable) – this must be done prior to applying for secondary employment. If approved, the approval notice must be provided within the secondary employment application.
  1. Complete relevant iAspire training module – prior to submitting the initial application for secondary employment, and any yearly renewal thereafter, members must complete the secondary work or volunteering training module on iAspire.
  1. Submit an application for secondary employment through Insight! – the application will be escalated through the member’s chain of command and escalated to PRS for determination of any perceived or real conflicts of interest. Should any risks be highlighted, the applicant must demonstrate how the risks will be mitigated.

Once the secondary employment application has been approved, members may commence the role. Approval is valid for one calendar year and renewal/re-approval must be sought prior to the anniversary date.

Should a change of circumstances or issues with operational requirements arise, AFP role and responsibilities change, or another other adverse issue be identified as a result of the secondary employment, members and their supervisor must review the agreement and, if necessary, submit a new application form.

Termination of Agreement and Review of Decisions

Should an agreement be withdrawn, declined, or terminated, that decision is effective immediately.

Members may seek review of the delegate’s decision to withdraw or decline an application by making a request in writing to the Assistant Commissioner People & Wellbeing via PRS. During the review process, however, members must not engage in secondary work or volunteering where the approval has been withdrawn or application declined.