The Australian Border Force Commissioner

The Australian Border Force is headed by a statutory officer - a Commissioner - reporting directly to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection on operational matters, responsible for managing these operations and commanding officers.

 

Roman Quaedvlieg apm

Mr Roman Quaedvlieg is the Australian Border Force Commissioner, a role he was appointed to when the Australian Border Force (ABF) started operations on 1 July 2015. Prior to becoming the ABF Commissioner, Mr Quaedvlieg was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, a role he commenced in October 2014.

Mr Quaedvlieg first began with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in May 2013, after being appointed the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Border Enforcement.

Prior to his appointment with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Mr Quaedvlieg was the Chief Police Officer of ACT Policing, the community policing arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Mr Quaedvlieg arrived at the AFP in 2005 and assumed the position of Manager Economic Operations, with responsibility for financial and economic investigations including money-laundering, large-scale fraud against the Commonwealth, proceeds of crime recovery, identity crime enforcement, and the management of the Oil-for-Food Task Force.

In 2007, Mr Quaedvlieg was promoted to Assistant Commissioner at the AFP and assumed responsibility for Border Operations, which encompassed investigations of major drug importation and trafficking, people-smuggling activity, sexual servitude, and child sex tourism offences. Mr Quaedvlieg has also performed the role of National Manager Aviation (at the Assistant Commissioner level) and was the AFP Chief of Staff for a period of time, a role which incorporated responsibility for the governance mechanisms of the AFP, including Ministerial Liaison, National Media and Marketing, Legal Services, Professional Standards, Recognition and Ceremonial, and Executive Services.

Prior to his appointment with the AFP, Mr Quaedvlieg undertook a three year appointment with the Australian Crime Commission in an executive role, with responsibilities for the transition of the former National Crime Authority to the Commission. A career police officer, Mr Quaedvlieg served as a sworn member of the Queensland Police Service for 15 years, where he performed duties in a range of positions investigating and managing serious and organised criminal activity.

In 2000, he undertook a development tenure in the private sector by completing a two-year executive contract with a major airline group operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Quaedvlieg has a Bachelor of Justice from the Queensland University of Technology, and is undertaking a Master of Business Administration at the Melbourne Business School. He was awarded an Australian Police Medal in 2011 for serving the Australian community with distinction, particularly in the areas of police operations and administration.

Migrant with permanent residence

If you migrated to Australia, have permanent residence, satisfy the residential requirements and are of good character you might be eligible for citizenship.

All applicants, including children under 1​6 years of age must be permanent residents at the time of application and also at the time we make a decision on your application.

What is permanent residence?

Having permanent residence means you have a current visa that permits you to live in Australia indefinitely. There are many different type of visas that provide permanent residence for citizenship purposes. You can use the Visa Finder to find a visa of this type, or use VEVO to check the permanent residence status of your visa.

When does permanent residence start?

If you were granted a migrant visa offshore your permanent residence date is the date of your first arrival in Australia on this visa.

If you were granted a permanent residence visa onshore your permanent residence date is the date that visa was issued.

Are you a long term resident of Australia?

Being a long-term resident of Australia, or being eligible to vote or having served in the armed forces of Australia does not mean that you are an Australian citizen.

Long term residents will need to provide evidence of arrival in Australia. If you no longer have this evidence you can telephone the Citizenship Information Line for advice on how to prove your permanent residence status.

Are you a New Zealand citizen?

On arrival in Australia, most New Zealanders are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV). This visa is a temporary visa which allows the holder to remain and work in Australia indefinitely but since 2001 does not provide permanent residence for citizenship purposes. See: New Zealand citizens living in Australia

Your Australian citizenship options

Migrants with permanent residence who satisfy the eligibility requirements apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. Children 15 years of age and under are usually included in the application of their responsible parent.

There are two categories of eligibility:

• Form 1300t Australian citizenship - General eligibility for applicants aged 18 years and over and under 60 years of age.

• Form 1290 Australian citizenship – Other situations for applicants aged under 18 years, applicants aged 60 years or over, or applicants in special circumstances.

Find out how to apply for Australian citizenship and apply online.

You can also apply on a paper application form.