Krissy Barrett

Krissy Barrett
APM
9th Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 October 2025
Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese
MinisterTony Burke
Preceded byReece Kershaw
Personal details
BornKrissy Lee Barrett
EducationOberon High School

Krissy Barrett APM is the ninth Australian Federal Police commissioner, and the first woman to lead Australia's federal police force. She replaced Reece Kershaw as the Australian Federal Police Commissioner on 4 October 2025.

Early life and career

Barrett began her career with the AFP as an administrative assistant, at the age of 21, within the Melbourne office of the AFP. She has experience in transnational serious and organised crime, as well as community policing, operations, and first response counter terrorism.

Barrett has had a 25-year career in law enforcement, including the investigation of the Bali bombings, and also she was involved in policing within the Solomon Islands. Until 2025, Barrett was deputy commissioner with the AFP, and she also managed the portfolio of national security. Her appointment as AFP commissioner will last five years.

Honours and achievements

Australian Police Medal12 June 2023
Police Overseas Service Medal2004
National Emergency Medal
National Police Service Medal
National Medal
AFP Service Medal
AFP Operations Medal2005
ACT Emergency Medal
ACT Community Service Medal

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, James (7 December 2022). "From Torquay to the AFP". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Price, Kimberley (presenter) (4 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett to lead the Federal Police". ABC listen. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. ↑ Curtis, Katina (4 August 2025). "Shock resignation paves way for first female AFP boss". The Nightly. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Silva, Francisco (5 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett APM named first female AFP Commissioner". Law Society Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. ↑ Webber, Miriam (4 August 2025). "AFP Commissioner abruptly ends tenure making way for an historic appointment". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Meet the first woman to lead Australia's federal police". Michael West Media. AAP. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ↑ Carr, Cameron (4 August 2025). "Who is Krissy Barrett, Australia's first female federal police commissioner?". SBS News. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  8. ↑ Grattan, Michelle (4 August 2025). "Krissy Barrett becomes first woman Australian Federal Police commissioner". The Conversation. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Assistant Commissioner Krissy Lee BARRETT". Australian Honours Search Facility. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Appointment of Australian Federal Police Commissioner". Prime Minister of Australia. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Krissy Barrett APM". ASPI.