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What working for the Australian Border Force is like for women

By the Australian Border Force | ADVERTORIAL|

A career with the Australian Border Force offers so much more than you may think. Australia has one of the largest and most challenging border environments in the world, which means that no two days on the job are the same.

Here, 9Honey speaks to two women, to discuss why they made a career-switch to the ABF.

The why

Unlike your average nine-to-five office job, the ABF offers a highly stimulating, diverse working environment that allows employees to give back to their country.

กฐI joined the organisation because I wanted a meaningful career where I felt I was helping protect our border and giving back to the Australian community while being able to balance raising my family,กฑ says ABF Officer, Alaina. กฐI did some research on the ABF and felt that the organisation was the best fit for me, and the most interesting and diverse that I had come across.กฑ

ABF Officer, Sana, echoes that sentiment. กฐI decided to join the ABF as I wanted to play a part in contributing to Australiaกฏs community protection,กฑ she says. กฐI truly believe this is an important and valuable role that I am proud to be a part of.กฑ

The process

Joining the ABF is a highly competitive process. Sana was already working for the government when she started to learn about what the ABF did.

กฐMy interest in the work of the ABF grew, and so I actively searched for vacancies until I came across the Border Force Officer Recruit Training Program (or BFORT).กฑ

The how

Run across 12 months, the Border Force Officer Recruit Training Program is a nation-wide intensive program that prepares new recruits for an entry level career in the ABF equipping them for a wide variety of roles from working in the airport or sea ports, clearing mail and cargo, or even working on one of our marine patrol vessels.

The initial application process is online, and if you're successful in the first stages you'll be asked to do some other assessment activities including online testing and attending an assessment centre where you will have an interview, do a group activity and a written work task. You will also complete a medical, fitness and psychometric assessment and obtain security clearances.

Thereกฏs detailed information about the process available on the ABF website, and the team are always there to answer your questions.

กฐMy experience with the BFORT program was interesting and at times challenging,กฑ says Sana. กฐThe most interesting part of the course was the opportunity to conduct placements in each of the work areas of the ABF, as it made me appreciate the amount of hard work that we conduct in these challenging and fast-paced operational environments.กฑ Sana added.

กฐNot only did we receive this fantastic training, I have made friendships with people across the ABF that will last a very long timeกฑ.?

กฐMy experience throughout my training was positive,กฑ says Alaina. กฐMy most memorable experience was when I got the opportunity to go on a routine surveillance flight. Myself and another officer were suited up in flight suits and given front row seats as observers.กฑ

ABF
กฐMy experience with the BFORT program was interesting and at times challenging,กฑ says Sana. (Supplied)

The lessons

กฐMy advice to others considering joining the ABF would be to get prepared and be willing to step out of your comfort zone,กฑ says Sana. กฐYou always have the support of your trainers and classmates. Donกฏt be afraid to ask questions and seek knowledge from the many experienced and dedicated officers that you will meet during your training.กฑ

กฐThe work is rewarding. It gives you a great sense of pride, knowing that what you do in your career is part of something bigger that protects the Australian community.?

To discover more about the Australian Border Force, visit abf.gov.au/abfcareers.

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