Border Force officers work in airports, ports and in regional centres on the coast throughout Australia. In Western Australia there are Customs offices in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Christmas Island, Dampier, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Perth and Port Hedland. Most Border Force officers transfer between a number of departments and offices throughout their career, which may require moving to regional locations or interstate. A number of roles within the Customs service involves shiftwork, which may include working nights, weekends and public holidays.

Border Force officers have a high level of contact with the public and often have to deal with people who are upset, angry or otherwise confrontational.

Border Force officers use equipment such as x-ray machines and ion scanners to check passengers, luggage and parcels for drugs, weapons and other illegal or dangerous substances. Border Force officers also use specially trained detector dogs to locate certain prohibited goods. The Border Force Marine Unit uses large patrol vessels and smaller speed boats for boarding operations, along with general maritime safety equipment. Some Border Forces officers may also carry firearms.