How I Got Here: Australian Federal Police PSO Sergeant Georgia Macfarlane
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible, and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
This week we sit down with Australian Federal Police (AFP) Protective Service Sergeant Georgia Macfarlane.
As a frontline defender who protects important people, key locations and Australia’s national interests, her day-to-day work makes a real difference in our community. Here Georgia explains how she became a Protective Service Officer (PSO), why it’s a meaningful career path and why other women should consider looking into the role.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Georgia, I’m a Protective Service Sergeant with the AFP, and I’ve been with AFP for nearly 10 years.
I’m currently working at the AFP College, where I’ve been training PSO recruits for the last five years. I am commencing back into an operational role shortly as a PSO Sergeant in Canberra, I will oversee a team that protects Australia’s national interests and critical infrastructure across Canberra including Parliament House, Government House, Canberra Airport, and foreign embassies and consulates. Our work involves maintaining the security of these locations, responding to national security threats, and helping deter, detect and disrupt criminal activity. PSOs are also based at locations across Australia.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid. Have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
To be honest, no. Growing up, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My dad was in the AFP, so I was familiar with the agency, but I never really understood what he did. Now that I’m on a similar journey myself, I have an even greater admiration for what he achieved, the path he took and the impact the agency has.
What inspired you to apply for the AFP?
When I finished high school, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do next. I hadn’t settled on a career direction and university wasn’t something I felt strongly drawn to at the time. Instead, I decided to gain some real-world experience, taking a gap year before stepping into a full-time role in the aviation security industry.
Through that role, I built confidence in my abilities, came out of my shell and gained valuable customer service experience. Working at the airport gave me regular exposure to the AFP and PSOs who worked there, giving me firsthand insight into their role in maintaining security and protecting critical infrastructure.
Those interactions gave me my first real insight into the AFP and the work they do. The more exposure I had, the more I started to think, “Actually, I could do that too.” It was something that grew over time as my confidence developed.
How do you balance your work schedule with being a mum to young kids?
I have three kids under seven, so there’s definitely a bit of a juggling involved. I’m fortunate to have a very supportive husband who is also a PSO, so he understands the demands of the role and what’s involved.
But in saying that, the AFP is very supportive of working families. The flexibility, rosters and leave provisions make it much easier to plan ahead and balance work with family life.
Currently, I’ve been working regular hours at the college, but when I return to shift work, I’ll actually have more days off in a row. I’m quite looking forward to that. Being able do the grocery shopping on a Tuesday and beat the rush on the weekend is a bonus.
Like any working parent, some days are more challenging than others, but I’ve learned that balance is about being realistic with yourself.
What do you love most about your role as a PSO?
I love knowing that the work I do makes a real difference. Whether its protecting people, or places of national importance, there’s a strong sense of purpose in the role and a feeling that what you’re doing genuinely contributes to Australia’s security and safety.
The work-life balance is great, and there are so many different pathways available, which means you can keep challenging yourself and exploring new opportunities.
The people are another highlight. I’ve worked alongside some incredibly talented and dedicated people, and I’ve learned so much from them. It’s a really inspiring agency to be part of and there are always opportunities to learn, grow and try something new, which is what I love most about working here.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Invest in your own development and be willing to say yes to opportunities that challenge you. Don’t expect everything to come your way but be grateful for the opportunities you do receive and never underestimate the positive impact you can have on those around you. Those are some of my favourites that have stayed with me throughout my career.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love that the role is centred on service. Knowing that your actions can contribute to public safety and national security gives the role a real sense of purpose.
One of the challenges is that a good day is when potential issues are prevented before they become incidents. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to prevent security incidents, and much of it isn’t always visible to others.
That’s simply the nature of the role, but it’s also what makes it rewarding. Even when people don’t see the work we’ve done, there a real sense of satisfaction knowing we’ve helped keep people and places of national importance safe.
What was your biggest ‘pinch me’ moment?
When I joined, I never imagined I’d go on to become a sergeant or train new recruits at the AFP College. So, I think my biggest pinch-me moment would be landing my role as a recruit instructor.
I’m probably a bit more nostalgic because I’m about to move back into an operational role, but it’s a role I’ve genuinely loved. Being able to support recruits from the beginning of their AFP journey is incredibly rewarding. I see people arrive at the College feeling nervous and unsure of themselves, and over time watch their confidence, skills and capability grow.
Seeing them progress and ultimately graduate is a proud moment, knowing I’ve played a small part in their development.
For women considering a career as a PSO, what qualities do you think make a great Protective Service Officer?
For women considering a role as a PSO, I’d say don’t underestimate the value that your skills and perspectives can bring to the AFP. I’ve seen people join from all sorts of industries and life experiences. The role isn’t about fitting any particular stereotype; it’s about professionalism, resilience, teamwork, and commitment to protecting places in the national security environment.
If you’re willing to challenge yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and continue learning, you’ll thrive in this role.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ve never been someone who plans every step of my career. For me, I’ve always been focused on the job that’s in front of me, and I do that to the best of my ability, continuing to develop my skills and taking opportunities as they arise. Looking back, some of the best opportunities in my career have been the ones I never saw coming.
In five years’ time, I hope to have continued learning, growing and challenging myself. My focus is on making the most of every opportunity that comes my way and seeing where that takes me.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I don’t know that people should necessarily follow my exact footsteps because everyone’s journey is unique. But what I hope people could take from my experience is the value of staying open to opportunities and committing to doing your best in whatever role you’re in.
One of the things I’ve found most rewarding about being a Protective Service Officer is the variety of opportunities the role can provide. It can expose you to experiences, challenges and career pathways you may not have considered when you first joined, while allowing you to make a meaningful contribution every day.
For me, it’s been about remaining adaptable, working hard, and being open to opportunities that I may not have originally anticipated being involved in. Stay curious, keep learning, and focus on becoming good at what you do, and then everything follows from there.
What advice would you give your past self?
I remember when I applied for the role at the AFP College, one of the questions they asked me was about my development areas. One of things I mentioned was that I didn’t really like public speaking, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to become a recruit instructor when standing up and speaking in front of groups was something I wasn’t naturally comfortable with. But I realised that if I don’t do it, I won’t get better at it. I had to put myself in that position.
Looking back, some of the biggest growth opportunities were when I stepped outside my comfort zone. So, the advice I’d give to my younger self would be: back yourself, have confidence in your abilities and don’t let self-doubt hold you back. You might be capable of far more than you realise.
