Tim Fitzgerald was appointed as Deputy Commissioner National Operations for the Australian Border Force (ABF) on 17 November 2022.
As Deputy Commissioner, Tim is responsible for Maritime Border Command, Operation Sovereign Borders and Customs Compliance, Enforcement and Targeting. Tim is also responsible for Operational Coordination and Planning, including management of the Australian Border Operations Centre.
Tim was Assistant Commissioner for North and Detention Command in the ABF. The Command was responsible for Regional Commands Queensland and Northern Territory including the Torres Strait. It also included National Removals and Onshore Immigration Detention Centres within Australia including Christmas Island.
Before this, Tim was the Commander of the Australian Border Operations Centre, Regional Commander NSW, and Assistant Secretary, Trusted Trader and Trade Enforcement.
Tim has extensive experience with Customs and Border Protection having worked for the service for over 35 years. Tim started his career in Sydney, working in areas such as the International Airport, Shipping Control and Air Cargo.
Tim later undertook the roles of Director Enforcement Operations NSW and Taskforce Polaris. This is a multi-agency taskforce examining and investigating organised crime on the waterfront in NSW. He has also been the Director Investigations NSW, Director Intelligence and Targeting and Counsellor Customs, London Post. These roles required extensive liaison with other law enforcement and border management agencies including Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Australian Government Solicitor.
Tim has completed a Diploma in Government Fraud Control Investigation and Certificate IV in Australian International Trade and Facilitation. Tim has completed training that includes the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Chief Investigators Course, Customs International Executive Management Program and the National Security College Course. Tim has also successfully completed the Customs Brokers Licensing Advisory Committee examination.
