ASIO Intelligence (IDP) vs AFP Police Recruit: which career suits you?
ASIO intelligence officers investigate threats to security and need Australian citizenship and a Positive Vetting clearance, the highest level AGSVA grants; the process is long and ASIO says little publicly about its stages. AFP police officers are sworn officers with arrest powers and need a lower clearance, with a published six-to-nine-month process and a 26-week development program. ASIO suits analytical, discreet candidates who are comfortable with a long vetting process; the AFP suits people who want frontline federal policing.
ASIO Intelligence (IDP) vs AFP Police Recruit at a glance
| ASIO Intelligence (IDP) | AFP Police Recruit | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | ASIO Intelligence Officer (via the Intelligence Development Program) | Australian Federal Police (AFP) Recruit: National Policing and ACT Policing |
| Questions | ASIO does not publish the content or number of questions in its online testing. Expect reasoning, analysis and written tasks; the skills-based assessment and panel discussion follow for shortlisted candidates | Online battery of four timed parts for National and ACT Policing: Personality questionnaire, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning and Numerical Calculation. The AFP does not publish the number of questions |
| Time | Not published. In the 2026/2027 round, online testing started about a month after applications closed and assessment centres ran about 2 to 4 months after that | About 86 minutes in total: Personality 25 min, Deductive Reasoning 23 min, Inductive Reasoning 23 min, Numerical Calculation 15 min (Protective Service Officers sit three parts, about 63 min) |
| Passing score | No published pass mark; selection is merit-based. Candidates found unsuitable cannot reapply to the IDP for 24 months; suitability assessments are valid for 24 months | No published pass mark. You receive your outcome within 2 to 4 weeks. If you do not pass, the AFP tells you how long to wait before trying again; its application page says you can reapply after 12 months, with a maximum of three attempts |
| Format | Online tests are taken unsupervised; do them alone in a quiet room. ASIO offers reasonable adjustments at any stage on request. Keep your application confidential: ASIO asks applicants not to discuss it with others | Unsupervised online tests: use a quiet room and a reliable internet connection. Pen and paper are allowed for Deductive Reasoning and Numerical Calculation, and a calculator for Numerical Calculation. Five practice questions are available inside the platform before each live test |
| Cost | No fee to apply, test or be vetted | No fee to apply or test. You pay for any extra medical reports, your first aid and CPR certificates and any traffic history records you need to obtain |
| Languages | English | English |
| Where | Online application (CV, a pitch of no more than 2 pages, 2 referees); online testing; skills-based assessment and panel discussion (assessment centres); then TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) vetting including psychological assessment | Online tests taken at home through the AFP's assessment provider (SHL-style tests) within 14 days of invitation; Entry Physical Competency Assessment (EPCA) booked online; assessment centre held online; health, psychological and security assessments by AFP and contracted providers |
| Level | Border, Corrections & Security | Police |
What each exam covers
ASIO Intelligence (IDP)
- The Job and Eligibility
- Online Testing: Logical and Critical Reasoning
- Information Analysis and Data Interpretation
- Written Pitch and Briefing Skills
- TS-PA Security Vetting and Psychological Assessment
- Assessment Centre, Panel Discussion and the ASIO Capability Framework
- Application Strategy, Discretion and Timeline
- The 12-Month Program and the Path to Intelligence Officer
AFP Police Recruit
- The Job and Eligibility
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Numerical Calculation and the Personality Questionnaire
- EPCA Fitness, Health and Security Assessment
- Assessment Centre, Interview and AFP Values
- Application Strategy and Timeline
- AFP College and the First Year
Which should you take?
ASIO intelligence officers investigate threats to security and need Australian citizenship and a Positive Vetting clearance, the highest level AGSVA grants; the process is long and ASIO says little publicly about its stages. AFP police officers are sworn officers with arrest powers and need a lower clearance, with a published six-to-nine-month process and a 26-week development program. ASIO suits analytical, discreet candidates who are comfortable with a long vetting process; the AFP suits people who want frontline federal policing.
Try both, free
Each free practice test takes about 10 minutes and shows your score by topic. No signup.
FAQ
What is the difference between ASIO Intelligence (IDP) and AFP Police Recruit?
ASIO intelligence officers investigate threats to security and need Australian citizenship and a Positive Vetting clearance, the highest level AGSVA grants; the process is long and ASIO says little publicly about its stages. AFP police officers are sworn officers with arrest powers and need a lower clearance, with a published six-to-nine-month process and a 26-week development program. ASIO suits analytical, discreet candidates who are comfortable with a long vetting process; the AFP suits people who want frontline federal policing.
Which is harder, ASIO Intelligence (IDP) or AFP Police Recruit?
ASIO Intelligence (IDP): asio does not publish the content or number of questions in its online testing. expect reasoning, analysis and written tasks; the skills-based assessment and panel discussion follow for shortlisted candidates in not published. in the 2026/2027 round, online testing started about a month after applications closed and assessment centres ran about 2 to 4 months after that. AFP Police Recruit: online battery of four timed parts for national and act policing: personality questionnaire, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning and numerical calculation. the afp does not publish the number of questions in about 86 minutes in total: personality 25 min, deductive reasoning 23 min, inductive reasoning 23 min, numerical calculation 15 min (protective service officers sit three parts, about 63 min). The longer exam covers more ground, but the harder one is the one further from your daily work. Take both free practice tests to see where you stand.
Can I hold both ASIO Intelligence (IDP) and AFP Police Recruit?
You can usually apply to more than one agency at the same time, and many candidates do. You can only work in one full-time role at once, though, and each agency runs its own tests, checks and merit list, so plan your preparation around the test you'll sit first.
How do I prepare for ASIO Intelligence (IDP) and AFP Police Recruit?
Start with the free practice test for each, then study by topic. Premium is per exam (A$89 a month each), so most people start with the exam they'll sit first and add the second when they're ready.
More comparisons
Exam details are summarized from the recruiting agency's published information as of November 2026. Confirm with the recruiting agency before you book. AusGovCareer is an independent career-prep service, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.