Leslie Massey
If you want to find your criminal record in Australia, you can apply for a National Police Certificate (NPC) which contains an official record of any disclosable criminal history. This can be done online or in person at an Australia Post outlet, and requires identity documents and payment. The NPC will include criminal and traffic court outcomes from all Australian states and territories, though it won't record any court outcomes that occur after the date of application. It's important to note that each state has different laws regarding old convictions, and you may need to seek legal advice for specific queries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official sources | State and Federal Police services, National Police Checks, Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) |
| Unofficial sources | Compiled databases of newspaper articles, collections of court notices, local police |
| Use cases | Employment, licensing, citizenship, residency, visa applications, guardianship of a child from another country, working overseas |
| Required approval | Person being considered must approve the application |
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What You'll Learn
Official sources for criminal records in Australia
There are several official sources for criminal records in Australia. These include state and Federal Police services, which can provide local criminal history checks. National Police Checks can be obtained through accredited companies and Australian police services. Fingerprint checks can also be obtained through the Federal Police.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is responsible for the National Police Check service, which is the most common form of official criminal history check for employment and licensing in the country. Over 5 million of these checks were performed in Australia from 2017 to 2018.
If you need a criminal record check for Australian citizenship, residency, a working visa, or while living abroad, you can apply online via the Australian Federal Police website.
The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) holds transcripts and copies of the registers of 74 courts that heard minor criminal cases, such as those involving drunkenness, criminal damage, and theft. These records have been digitised and made available online.
Unofficially, criminal records can be obtained through compiled databases of newspaper articles and collections of court notices, which are gathered by individuals and businesses and sold for a fee.
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Unofficial sources for criminal records
In addition to official sources, there are several unofficial sources for criminal records in Australia. These include:
- Websites that offer free criminal records in Australia, which are generally historical in nature and useful for genealogy research.
- Websites that aggregate publicly available information from various sources, such as newspaper articles and court notices, and sell access to their databases. While these can be useful for investigations, it is important to exercise caution and not make decisions solely based on these records.
- Court documents, such as judgments, law reports, police records, and commentaries, which can be accessed online or in print.
- The Public Records Office Victoria (PROV), which holds transcripts and copies of registers of 74 courts that heard minor criminal cases. These records have been digitised and made available online.
- The State Library of Victoria, which offers guides and resources for researching 19th-century police and criminal records in Victoria, Australia, including early police gazettes, occurrence books, watchhouse charge books, and more.
- The "Find My Past" database, which provides an index with reference details to files held at the PROV.
It is important to note that unofficial sources may not provide a complete criminal history and should be used with caution. Official sources, such as state and federal police services, accredited companies, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), are the most reliable for obtaining comprehensive and up-to-date criminal records in Australia.
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When you may need a police check
A police or criminal history check is a document that lists all court outcomes and pending charges for an individual. The information is collected from the databases of all Australian police jurisdictions.
There are several instances where you may need to provide a police check. Firstly, when applying for a new job, many employers may request a police check as part of the pre-employment screening process. Secondly, if you are applying for a working visa, residency, or Australian citizenship, a police check may be required to demonstrate good character and meet the necessary requirements. Additionally, if you plan to work or live overseas, some countries may request a police check as part of their immigration or work permit process.
Another situation where a police check may be necessary is during the adoption or guardianship process. When applying for guardianship of a child, either locally or from another country, a police check may be required to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. Similarly, certain industry licence applications or eligibility cards may require a police check. It is important to carefully read the requirements as some government bodies will only accept checks conducted by specific organisations, such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
It is worth noting that police checks do not have a defined validity or expiry date. However, organisations may have their own preferences regarding the recency of the check. Therefore, it is common to provide regular clearance renewals to ensure ongoing compliance with the requesting organisation's requirements.
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National Police Checks
A National Police Certificate (NPC), or National Police Check, is a summary of an individual's offender history in Australia. It lists any local and interstate criminal and traffic court outcomes. Police keep records about an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system, but only certain information can be disclosed on a police check.
You can apply for a National Police Check online via the Australian Federal Police website, or through a state or territory police service. The cost of each application is AU$56, or AU$113 if fingerprints are required. You will need to provide identity documents worth at least 100 points in total, including one photo ID, such as an Australian passport or citizenship certificate. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian will need to co-sign your application.
Digital certificates are usually issued within a few days, although some may take longer. Fingerprint checks take a minimum of 15 working days. Both digital and hard copy certificates are protected by security features to prevent fraud and identity theft.
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$6.99
Fingerprint checks
In Australia, a police or criminal history check is a document that lists all court outcomes and pending charges for an individual. This information is collected from the databases of all Australian police jurisdictions. These checks are often required when starting a new job, adopting a child, or working overseas.
One such check is a National Police Certificate (NPC), which is a summary of your offender history in Australia. Fingerprint checks are a type of NPC and can be obtained through the Federal Police. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the organisation responsible for NPCs, and the application can be made online.
If you need to supply fingerprints as part of your NPC application, the total cost is $113, compared to $56 for a standard NPC. Fingerprint checks take at least 15 working days to process, compared to a few days for a standard NPC.
For an NPC, you will need to state the purpose of the police check on your application. Different purposes may lead to different results, depending on relevant laws. You must also include the original of your fingerprints with your application. The application must be lodged within three months of signing.
It is important to note that you cannot lodge your application at a police station, and once submitted, you cannot get a refund. You will also need to certify that the personal information on your application is correct. If false or misleading information is discovered, you may be prosecuted under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for a National Police Certificate (NPC) conducted by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) online. You can also apply for a National Police Check and receive a National Police Certificate containing an official record of any disclosable criminal history.
You will need to pay in Australian dollars via bank cheque or money order, made out to the Australian Federal Police. You must include all paperwork, forms, payment and identification with your application. You will need to provide three identity documents, including one photo ID.
Each NPC application costs \$56. If you need to supply fingerprints as part of your application, the total cost is \$113. Application fees are exempt from GST.
