Customs Flexible Employees - General Information
Overview of Customs
Customs is a large and diverse organisation with over 6000 employees spread across all States and Territories. There are offices in all capital cities and also in some regional centres. For more information click here.
Customs is responsible for managing the security and integrity of Australia's borders, that is, detecting and deterring the unlawful movement of goods and people across the border. Australia has about 37,000 km of border so this is a big job! In the 2006-07 financial year Customs Officers processed more than 22.6 million international passengers and crew and cleared more than 10.3 million import and export entries (combined total).
The Australian Customs Service has three principal roles:
- to facilitate trade and the movement of people across the Australian border while protecting the community and maintaining appropriate compliance with Australian law
- to effectively collect customs revenue
- to administer specific industry schemes and trade measures.
To help us do our job effectively, Customs works closely with other agencies, in particular the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and the Australian Federal Police.
Training
Customs Flexible Employees must complete a full time training program (on average, 4-5 weeks in length) before commencing work at Customs Level One, Work Value 2. This training will give you the skills and knowledge required to perform the duties of a CFE officer as well as providing a basic understanding of other Customs functions and operations.
The training program incorporates both theory and practical components that will equip you with the skills to perform your role and is heavily computer based. While the theory components are typically conducted between the hours of 0830 - 1651, the practical components may be during 'shift' hours and could be for shorter time periods (e.g. 4 hours).
What are we looking for in Customs Flexible Employees?
We have set out below some important themes of work in Customs. Do you have the characteristics we are looking for? These themes are reflected in assessment process you will be asked to undertake if you apply for a position.
Checking and Accuracy
Checking and accuracy are important. CFEs will be employed to process the documents of travellers departing from Australian International airports; this includes checking passports and passenger information as well as administering the Tourist Refund Scheme. Attention to detail, concentration and clear thinking are important to ensure that travellers are correctly processed.
Literacy and verbal communication
CFEs must be able to communicate effectively with travellers and to understand and correctly apply the relevant Australian laws, when they are checking travel documents and questioning passengers on departure.
Reliability
CFEs are employed to provide support and relief to our permanent workforce during periods of high workload. Due to the intermittent nature of employment and the shift patterns worked, dependability and reliability are important requirements for all our employees
Dealing with people
Questioning and directing passengers is necessary for the protection of the Australian community. Being courteous and respectful at all times and having an ability to cool down conflict is an important part of the job. You will meet people who are tired, upset or anxious and they can be difficult to deal with, uncooperative and defensive.
Using computers
As well as dealing professionally and calmly with all people, and being able to understand and apply laws and procedures, Customs Flexible Employees are also expected to use computers in the majority of their functions, so familiarity and competence with a computer is crucial.
Standards of personal conduct
Customs work involves law enforcement and staff must display the highest level of personal and professional conduct in fulfilling their duties. These standards are set out in the APS Code of Conduct and Australian Public Service values.
Upholding these standards can be demanding and all Customs Officers are expected to comply with them even in their own time. It is also why a stringent security clearance is required before commencing work in Customs.