Everything You Need to Know
When applying for a new job, volunteering at a local charity, or lodging a visa, you will be asked. You’ll likely be asked to provide a National Police Certificate (NPC).
If your check is for Commonwealth or Australian Capital Territory (ACT) purposes, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is your official go-to provider. Navigating government applications can sometimes feel overwhelming, but obtaining your police check is a straightforward process once you know what to expect.
Here is a simple, step-by-step breakdown of how the AFP National Police Check works, what it costs, and how to apply smoothly.
Why Might You Need an AFP Police Check?
An NPC provides a summary of your disclosed offender history across Australia. Common reasons you might be asked to apply include:
Employment & Volunteering: Job applications, working with children, or non-profit roles.
Licensing & Registration: Meeting statutory compliance for professional bodies.
Immigration & Visas: Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or overseas visa applications.
Note: Always make sure to select the correct purpose when applying, as legislation determines what information is disclosed based on the specific reason for the check.
Key Application Details at a Glance
Standard Online Application: $56 AUD (GST exempt; a small card payment processing surcharge applies).
Application with Fingerprint Check: $113 AUD (Required for specific purposes, such as certain security licenses or foreign visas).
Proof of Identity: You will need to upload/provide identity documents totaling 100 points (e.g., passport, driver’s license, birth certificate).
How to Apply AFP: Step-by-Step
1. Gather Your 100 Points of ID
Before starting your application, check the AFP’s Proof of Identity Checklist. Scan or photocopy clear copies of your documents to attach to your submission.
2. Choose Your Application Method
Online (Fastest Option): If you do not require a fingerprint check, you can complete the entire process via the AFP National Police Checks Portal. Digital certificates are delivered straight to your inbox, usually within a few days.
By Post: If your application requires a fingerprint check or you prefer to pay via bank cheque/money order, you must print and post a hard-copy application form along with your original fingerprints.
3. Receive and Validate Your Certificate
Once processed, your digital certificate will arrive as a secure PDF complete with a unique QR code for verification. If you requested a hard copy, it will arrive by mail printed on official security paper featuring watermarks and heat-sensitive ink to prevent tampering.
Pro Tips for a Hassle-Free Check
Double-Check Your Details: Ensure your full name, former names, and date of birth match your identity documents exactly. Errors caused by applicant mistype require a brand-new application and fee.
Check Validity Limits: While NPCs don’t technically expire, they only show records up to the date of issue. The organization requesting the check will usually specify how recent your certificate needs to be (e.g., within the last 3 or 6 months).
Keep It Purpose-Specific: A certificate issued for one purpose (e.g., aged care volunteering) cannot automatically be reused for a different purpose (e.g., an immigration detention center role).
Ready to get started? Head directly to the AFP National Police Checks Page to begin your online application today.
AFP check or state police check – which one do I need?
You must use the AFP if the check is for a Commonwealth purpose – most importantly Australian visa and citizenship applications – or if you live in the ACT. For many jobs, a state police check or an ACIC-accredited provider is also accepted, so check what your employer asks for before you pay.
When do you need fingerprints?
Some visa and immigration applications, and some overseas authorities, ask for a fingerprint-based check. If you are asked for one, choose the fingerprint option ($113) and arrange to have your fingerprints taken as instructed on the AFP website. Allow extra time, as these checks take longer.
Common mistakes that delay your check
- Blurry or cropped ID scans. Upload clear colour scans of every page requested.
- Name differences. Include every name you have used, such as a maiden name or a name spelled differently on overseas documents.
- Wrong purpose or code. For visas, choose the immigration/citizenship purpose so the certificate is accepted by Home Affairs.
- Wrong date of birth. Double-check it before paying – it is one of the most common errors.
- Using unofficial websites. Some sites charge extra for the same check. For visa purposes, apply directly with the AFP.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an AFP police check valid?
The certificate shows your record on the date you applied. How long it is accepted is decided by the organisation asking for it. For Australian visa applications, a certificate is generally expected to be less than 12 months old when your application is decided.
Can I apply for an AFP check from outside Australia?
Yes. If you have lived in Australia before and need a check for another country’s visa, you can apply online and may need a fingerprint check. Follow the AFP instructions for overseas applicants.
Do I also need an overseas police certificate?
For most Australian visas, you also need police certificates from other countries where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. See our Indian PCC guide and Nepal police clearance guide.
