ADFIS was responsible for complex and major disciplinary and criminal investigations involving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), its assets, land, personnel and capability.

ADFIS is a tri-service unit that was composed of specialised service police personnel who are qualified to undertake investigations of serious and unique nature.

Prior to the formation of ADFIS, each of the three service's police entities in the Australian Defence Force were responsible for maintaining their own general duties and investigative law enforcement functions.

On 16 June 2005 the Senate's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee released a report titled 'The Effectiveness of Australia's Military Justice System'.

[3] Both this report and the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee's report identified and addressed institutionalised and widespread issues amongst the service police organisations, including under-staffing, inadequate training, lack of resources, lack of engagement with civilian police agencies and other entities in the military justice system, poor direction and leadership, just to name a few.

Both reports identified the need for a tri-service ADF investigative capability in order to consolidate personnel, effort and resources into one location.

Selection to attend the Australian Defence Force Investigators Course (ADFIC) was based on preference as well as merit within current posted unit and position.

Within Australia, it was fairly common for investigators to simply wear a suit or similar business attire,[5] much how a civilian police detective would in the course of their duties.

The badge was metal with blue enamel behind the text and came in a leather wallet accompanied by an ID card identifying the individual possessing it as an investigator within ADFIS.

While conducting their duties, investigators would normally carry the standard Saflok MKIV handcuffs and ASP expandable baton issued to all ADF service police for operational use.

Like all other ADF service police personnel from the time period of its existence, ADFIS investigators did not routinely carry firearms while on duty domestically in Australia.