Australian Border Force (ABF) marine roles
The ABF marine crew conduct a range of border enforcement activities including offshore maritime patrols and response and surveillance and deterrence activities that support civil maritime security operations.
This work involves a roster cycle of 195 duty days per financial year. The working pattern depends on the type of vessel you are deployed to, with an approximate rotation of one month on and one month off. For example, our Cape class vessels have a pattern of 28 days rostered on and 28 days rostered off under a fly-in-fly-out arrangement. People interested in these types of roles must be:
- able to perform duties in the maritime environment. This includes deployments on unstable platforms in uncertain and variable weather and sea conditions
- compatible with sharing facilities, when living in the close constraints of a vessel
- able to deploy for at least 31 days at a time with no opportunity to return to port or home
- flexible and use initiative in response to work. Including assisting with work outside assigned responsibilities.
Entry level – Marine Tactical Officer (MTO)
The MTO program is the entry level program for ABF marine crew. MTO crew perform varied duties, including:
- Boarding operations
- Bridge and engine room watch keeping
- Deck and engine room tasks and maintenance
- Meal preparation and
- Vessel cleaning tasks.
MTOs are trained in ‘use of force’ and are required to carry a firearm as part of their duties. MTOs may operate on board a range of ABF Cutters and other vessels. There are mandatory role requirements for MTOs such as medical and fitness standards
Medical and Fitness Standards for Use of Force positions within the Marine Unit.
Marine specialist roles
There are also specialist marine roles in the ABF which include:
- Commanding Officers
- Deputy Commanding Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Navigation and Communication Officers
- Enforcement Commanders / Deputy Enforcement Commanders
- Operation Officers / Team Leaders
- Marine Cooks
- Marine Communications and Technical Officers (MCTO).
For mandatory role requirements for Non-Use of Force positions (no requirement to carry a firearm) such as Navigations Officer, Marine Cook, Engineers and Marine Communications Technical Officer see here
Medical and Fitness Standards for Non-Use of Force positions within the Marine Unit.
It is a highly competitive process to secure a role in the ABF Marine crew. We advertise specialist and entry-level MTO roles through
current opportunities.
