An Australian police check, also known as a National Police Check (NPC), is a document that provides a summary of an individual’s criminal history in Australia. It is issued by the Australian Federal Police or by accredited agencies authorized by the Australian Federal Police.
The purpose of an Australian police check is to verify an individual’s criminal record or confirm if they have no disclosable criminal history. It is often required for various purposes, including employment, volunteer work, licensing, immigration, and other situations where a person’s criminal background needs to be assessed.
When applying for an Australian police check, the individual typically needs to provide personal information such as their full name, date of birth, and address history. The application is processed by the relevant authority, and the resulting police check will outline any disclosable convictions, charges, or pending court matters based on the individual’s criminal record.
It is important to note that an Australian police check may not include information about spent convictions, depending on relevant federal or state legislation and the purpose of the check.
How Long is a Police Check Valid for Immigration?
Your police check doesn’t have an exact expiration date, but the organization that requested it may consider the date it was issued when assessing police check validity. They might want a recent check, like one that is not older than 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. So, you may need to get a new police check regularly to stay compliant. The frequency of getting a police check depends on the organization.
If you’re not sure if your current police check is still valid, check with the organization that requested it.
For migration purposes, police certificates used for visa applications are valid for 12 months from the date of issue, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
How to Get an Australian Police Check for Migration Purposes?
To obtain an Australian police check for migration purposes, applicants must apply through the Australian Federal Police. Police certificates issued by state or territory authorities are not accepted for visa applications.
When submitting the application, Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship – must be selected for supply to the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants must declare all names they have been known by to ensure accurate record matching. Fingerprints are not required for Australian police checks used for migration purposes.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Australian Police Check?
Processing times for an Australian National Police Check depend on the type of application and the information required. According to the Australian Federal Police, most National Police Checks are processed and posted within 48 hours of receiving a complete application.
Processing times may be longer if information needs to be obtained from multiple Australian states or territories. Digital police certificates are issued electronically and sent directly to the applicant’s email address.
For hard-copy police certificates, additional time must be allowed for postage. Applicants are advised to wait at least 15 business days before contacting the AFP regarding the status of a mailed certificate.
Applications involving name and fingerprint National Police Checks generally take longer to process and may require between 15 and 30 business days.
Applicants will be notified by email once the application has been received and again when the police certificate has been finalised and issued.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While an Australian National Police Check does not have a formal expiration date, the Department of Home Affairs stipulates a specific police check validity of 12 months from the date of issue for visa applications.
To meet the requirements for a police check for partner visa Australia, applicants must apply through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) using Code 33. Please note that standard state or territory-based police checks are not accepted for migration purposes.
Yes. To be eligible, most sponsors must meet specific character requirements. According to the Department of Home Affairs, a sponsor must provide a police check for partner visa purposes to show they do not have a “significant criminal record” regarding relevant offences.
Most applications for a police check partner visa are processed within 48 hours if submitted online with complete information. However, if manual coordination between different state records is required, the process can take between 15 to 30 business days. It is recommended to allow extra time for hard-copy postage if a physical certificate is needed.
When applying, you must declare all names you have ever been known by. Failure to do so may result in an invalid police check for partner visa, which could delay your application with the Department of Home Affairs.
Hi,my partner and I would like to apply for Australian citizenship and would like advise on the best way for us both to go about this.We both emigrated from the UK during October 2000 on a skilled migration scheme and were granted permanent resident visas,we have resided in Australia since arriving here in Victoria since then.We are both retired my age is 76 and my partners age is 81,we both receive Australian pensions and both hold concession cards.What would be the the best way for us both to apply for citizenship and what documents would we require and any advise would be welcomed
Thanks for your comment Raymond.
Please feel free to book a free consultation with one of our agents by feeling in the consultation form on our website or sending an email to: info@migrationdoor.com.au
Looking forward to assisting you with your citizenship matter.
Hi, I, am an Aussie who has been in the UK for 21 years. I’m now thinking about moving somewhere else. Some countries require police checks from any other country you have lived in. I’ve already got my enhanced DBS background check in the UK. How would I go about getting an Aussie police check from the UK, I’ve been gone a long time, and I haven’t even been back to visit for 12 years.