Frequently Asked Questions (ORG)

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Operational Response Group Recruitment frequently asked questions

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Recruitment and selection process

What is the next step after the application/EOI is submitted?

The selection process as outlined in Commissioner’s Order 7 will be followed. There are a number of other stages that the Operational Response Group (ORG) selection process will move through. These phases include:

  • Psychometric testing;
  • An assessment/selection course that will enable the AFP IDG to assess your suitability for ORG type roles;
  • Interviews with an Independent Selection Advisory Panel (ISAP);
  • Drug screening;
  • Security assessment; and
  • Medical.
Do I need previous experience?

As outlined in the advertisement you will require a minimum of 4 years policing experience.

Will my previous policing service be recognised? i.e. pay band

Previous relevant policing experience will be recognised when a base salary is determined within the salary range set out in the advertisement.

What is psychometric testing?

Psychometric testing is a series of questions to determine your psychological suitability and aptitude to perform the role. There are a number of websites that you can practice aptitude and IQ tests. You are encouraged to visit these sites to get an indication of the type of testing you will be undertaking. However you cannot study for the psychological tests.

What is physical testing and what do I need to do?

The basic AFP physical fitness standards are included on the AFP’s recruitment section.

Terms and conditions of employment

How will I be employed by the AFP if I get selected?

You will be employed as an ongoing employee with the AFP. That means you will have continuing employment with the AFP beyond any initial service with the International Deployment Group.

Will I be remunerated for being available to deploy as required?

In recognition of your commitment to deploy immediately and maintaining your deployable status you will be paid an IDG ORG allowance;

  • If you are designated as being ‘Operational’ (therefore ‘deployable’) that allowance is $20,000 per annum;
  • If you are designated as Administration Support that allowance will be $5,200 per annum.

The Domestic ORG allowance for availability, disruption to personal life and maintaining eligibility to deploy is not paid during overseas deployment.

Please note: To qualify for the payment of the ORG Operational Allowance ($20,000 per annum), employees will be required to;

  • Be contactable and available for deployment overseas;
  • Manage leave arrangements and personal commitments subject to deployment requirements. This will include cancellation of leave where operational requirements demand;
  • Maintain health and fitness for deployment overseas at a level necessary for operational response. The minimal standard is the AFP National Fitness Standard. However this may be varied by the National Manager IDG at any time;
  • Maintain appropriate skill levels as notified by the National Manager IDG at any time;
  • Maintain other eligibility for employment requirements as specified in Commissioner’s Order 7 of 2007.
What will my conditions of service be in Australia?

While employed in Australia you will be under the terms and conditions of the AFP Collective Agreement;

  • The AFP salary for the role at the band level of the role for which you are interested in applying;
  • 6 weeks leave per annum;
  • Where appropriate, a composite allowance in lieu of overtime/shift-work; 22%
  • In addition to the provisions of the Collective Agreement, you will be paid an IDG Allowance of;
    • $20,000 per annum if you are designated as Operational
    • $5,200 per annum if you are designated as Administration Support
What will my terms and conditions be overseas?

While overseas you will be paid under a specific AFP Determination that applies to that deployment. The conditions vary depending on the type of deployment and location.

At all times you will receive:

  • The salary from the Certified Agreement for the role;
  • An 80% composite allowance on your salary ; *
  • The appropriate IDG Overseas allowance of $1500 per 28 days accrued in overseas deployment (continuously or in aggregate) similar to UEOSA;

Other allowances which may be payable during deployment include:

  • A mission specific allowance based on the country assessment – this is paid whilst in country and on the day in /out of mission. (Ranges from $11-$41)
  • Communications allowance $40 per fortnight which is payable if you are in country more than 14 days.
  • Incidental allowance $20 per day you are in mission;
  • Field allowance of $36.45 per day if applicable;
  • Transfer allowance of $775 is payable if you are deployed for more than 12 months;
  • An advance payment of $5200 if the member is employed overseas for 12 months or more.

* This composite is also paid during your accrued overseas IDG leave period. In addition, it replaces all other allowances for example the on call, recall to duty allowances or overtime premiums.

Will I be accompanied by my family during my overseas deployment?

The nature of ORG overseas deployments means that they are unaccompanied and your family cannot accompany or visit you. Allowances paid to ORG for overseas service are paid in recognition of your unaccompanied deployment.

Do I receive any extra leave for serving overseas?

Under the provision of the Commissioner’s determination for overseas ORG service you will receive one weeks leave (7 days) for every 4 weeks overseas deployment. Each 24 hours service overseas will count toward ORG leave however, an accrual will not occur until 28 days of overseas service has occurred (either continuously or in aggregate.) There will be no pro rata accrual of ORG leave. During deployment the leave entitlements will replace the employee’s entitlement to recreation leave or mandatory recreation leave as prescribed by the Certified Agreement.

Will any or all of my salary be tax exempt?

Tax exemption is generally a matter between the individual and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and depends on the nature of the mission and the period time spent on overseas service. The AFP cannot guarantee that any particular deployment will be tax-exempt, or provide advice on tax matters, although the AFP does apply to the ATO for Class Rulings for some deployments. You need to seek individual advice on the tax status of any particular deployment.

Superannuation, how does this work, how much?

Superannuation will be in accordance with the current ComSuper Scheme. Details of that Superannuation scheme are available at the Comsuper website.

What would I expect to earn with allowances per annum?

This is difficult to answer as the allowances paid to you are dependant on where you work, how long you work there and the type of work you will be performing.

As an indication a Band 3.3 based in Australia receives:

  • Base salary $49,273.00
  • 22% Composite payment $10,840.00
  • Operational ORG allowance $20,000.00
  • Total = $80,113.00

The AFP Salary Spine may be accessed by going to the AFP Collective Agreement 2007-2011

Service requirements

Do I have an initial service obligation with the IDG?

You will have an initial commitment to serve a minimum of 2 years with the ORG. The duration and location of any overseas deployments during this period will be based on AFP operational needs.

There is no maximum amount of time for deployment with the ORG. Should you wish to remain with the ORG following the minimum 2 year commitment that will be possible dependant upon organisational need at that time.

Where and in what capacity will I be employed at the completion of my IDG commitment?

Once you have met your initial commitment to ORG, you will be offered a choice of either, remaining with the ORG and continuing to be available for service in that capacity, or you may seek another available AFP role based on where AFP vacancies are at that time.

Where will my home base be in Australia while performing duties with the ORG while I am not deployed overseas?

For the roles in the ORG, you will be offered a role in either Canberra or Brisbane. To remain deployable you will have to reside in these immediate geographic locations for recall to duty to provide the ORG immediacy of response.

What will my role be in Australia during that initial period?

While serving the Australian based component of your service, you will be engaged in:

  • Mission-related training; or
  • AFP duties related to your skill base, but in such a manner as to allow for you to deploy immediately.
What will my role be while serving overseas?

As a member of the ORG your role will involve rapid response to crisis situations and the provision of tactical support to established missions such as Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

How long will I serve overseas?

The requirements for many ORG operations are difficult to quantify. There are overseas missions supported by the ORG on an ongoing basis. In this type of situation a rotational model is utilised where ORG members deploy to mission on a 28 day roster cycle.

Will I have a minimum period of overseas service with IDG?

There is no guaranteed minimum period of overseas service – overseas service will depend on AFP operational requirements for ORG involvement.

What notice will I get to deploy overseas?

The ORG role requirements mean that operatives are expected to deploy immediately. The IDG Allowance payable to you when based in Australia recognises this requirement.

If I am currently an AFP employee, and am selected (and released) for a role with IDG will I go back to my previous area at the end of my IDG commitment?

There are no guarantees that you will be returned to the exact same work team. You will be placed according to the AFP operational needs at that time.

Can I apply for other jobs in the AFP during my ORG service?

You will have made an initial commitment to the ORG of 2 years, so while other AFP roles are always available to you, there may be an issue in gaining a release from your ORG role on transfer prior to the end of that initial commitment.

What will happen if my circumstances change during my IDG service and I cannot deploy?

Your willingness and ability to deploy determine the way in which you are remunerated – Many of the allowances payable would cease. You would have to pay back any ORG Allowances for the period you were not available to deploy. An assessment would be made as to your suitability to perform another non-operational role with the ORG or the wider AFP.

What overseas locations will I have to go to?

The AFP Web site contains details of the current overseas missions being undertaken by the IDG.

Will I be a sworn member of AFP?

You will be an on-going appointee of the AFP. To perform the functions of the ORG role you will be sworn as a special member of the AFP until such time as you complete the Lateral Police Program. Once you have successfully completed this Program you will be a sworn member of the AFP.
The length of any Lateral Program you complete will be dependant upon the skill level of those requiring the training, as an indication the training will be between 8 and 10 weeks duration.

Training requirements

If I am a Lateral recruit, when will I do my Lateral Recruit course?

Lateral recruit training programs are factored into the ORG training continuum as required for members of ORG.

What skills and/or physical training do I have to undergo?

Once you have been successful in gaining employment with the AFP through this process you will be expected to undertake an initial 6 week training course that will include civil disorder response training. You will also be required to undertake training in relation to overseas deployments and other training that is deemed as necessary for you to be an effective ORG Team Member.

What happens if I am not successful in my ORG training?

Opportunities would be considered to deploy you in accordance with the AFP’s organisational needs and in accordance with your skills and experience.

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