Lexi Webster
A National Police Check provides a summary of an individual's offender history in Australia. It is usually requested by employers or organisations as part of their recruitment process for staff and volunteers. To apply for a National Police Check, you must provide three identity documents, including one photo ID, and pay the application fee. The application fee is $56, and if you need to supply fingerprints, the total cost is $113. You can apply for a National Police Check online or by post, and the processing time is usually within a few days.
How to apply for a police check in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the check | National Police Check (NPC) |
| Type of check required | National Name Check |
| Purpose | Employment, volunteering, visa, citizenship, etc. |
| Documents required | 3 identity documents, including 1 photo ID |
| Other documents | Australian citizenship certificate, Australian passport |
| Additional requirements | Names on documents must match; a witness to certify copies of documents |
| Application process | Online, by post, or in person at a police station |
| Payment methods | Bank cheque, money order, online payment |
| Fees | $56 (fingerprint check: $113) |
| Processing time | A few days to 15+ working days, depending on the type of check |
| Results | Summary of offender history in Australia, including criminal and traffic court outcomes |
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What You'll Learn
Application methods: Online, by post, or in person
You can apply for a National Police Check (NPC) online, by post, or in person. The application method you choose may depend on the purpose of your police check, as well as your personal preference.
Online
To apply for a National Police Check online, you must complete the application form and scan or upload your identity documents. You will need to provide at least 100 points worth of identity documents, which may include an Australian passport, Australian driver's licence, or citizenship certificate. The names on your documents must match; if you have changed your name, you will need to provide additional documentation. You will also need to provide your email address and pay the application fee by credit card. Most digital certificates arrive within a few days, although some may take longer.
By post
If your NPC requires a fingerprint check, you must apply by post. You can book a fingerprinting appointment online or at your local police station, depending on your location. After your fingerprints have been taken, you will need to complete the application form and send it, along with your fingerprints, payment, and identification, to the Australian Federal Police. The application fee can be paid by bank cheque or money order. Fingerprint checks take between 15 and 30 business days to process.
In person
It does not appear that you can apply for a National Police Check in person. However, if you are unable to meet the 100-point identification requirement, you may need to contact the Australian Federal Police for further instructions.
Receiving your certificate
After your application has been processed, you will receive a National Police Certificate. Digital certificates will be sent to your email inbox, while hard copies will be posted to your address. Both digital and hard copy certificates include security features, such as unique QR codes and fluorescent tricolour threads, to validate your certificate.
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Required documents: ID, payment, and fingerprints
To apply for a police check in Australia, you will need to provide several documents, including ID, payment, and, in some cases, fingerprints. Here is a detailed breakdown of the required documents:
ID
When applying for a police check, you will need to provide proof of your identity. This includes providing identity documents worth at least 100 points in total. You will typically need to provide one primary document and one or two secondary documents.
The primary document must prove your identity and can include any of the following:
- Australian passport
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Australian driver's licence
- Foreign government-issued driver's licence
- Australian government-issued photo ID
- Foreign government-issued identity card
At least one of your secondary documents must include a photo of you, such as a passport or driver's licence. Other acceptable secondary documents include:
- Proof of Age card issued by the Australian Government
- Australian or foreign government-issued birth certificate
- Australian government-issued Seniors card
- ATO-issued Notice of Assessment or Confirmation letter of TFN
- Australian debit or credit card
- Australian Electoral Commission enrolment
- Australian student photo ID
All documents must show your full legal name and date of birth. If you have changed your name, you will need to provide supporting documentation, such as a marriage certificate.
Payment
The National Police Check application fee is $56. If you need to include a fingerprint check, the total cost is $113. Payment methods accepted include online payment, bank cheque, or money order made out to the Australian Federal Police.
Fingerprints
If you need to include a fingerprint check with your application, you must submit the original fingerprints. You can make a booking for either Livescan or ink fingerprinting services. The processing time for name and fingerprint NPCs is typically 15 to 30 business days.
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Costs: $56, or $113 with fingerprints
The cost of a National Police Check in Australia varies depending on whether you require a fingerprint check as part of your application. If you do not need to include a fingerprint check, the application fee is $56. However, if you need to supply fingerprints, the total cost of the application rises to $113.
The National Police Check is also known as a National Police Certificate (NPC) and is a summary of your offender history in Australia. It is used to list any local and interstate criminal and traffic court outcomes. You must obtain a National Police Check from the state or territory in which you intend to work or volunteer.
The application fee is exempt from GST and must be paid in Australian dollars via bank cheque or money order, made out to the Australian Federal Police. If applying by post, you can also pay via money order. If you are a volunteer or student in Victoria, you may qualify for a reduced application processing fee.
It is important to note that fingerprint checks can take at least 15 working days to process, while digital certificates without fingerprints usually arrive within a few days of applying online.
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Processing times: Up to 15 working days
The processing time for a police check in Australia can vary depending on several factors, including the method of application and the specific requirements of the check. While some digital certificates can arrive within a few days or even minutes, certain types of checks, such as fingerprint checks, can take at least 15 working days.
When applying for a National Police Certificate (NPC), the processing time can be up to 15 working days. This timeframe is specifically mentioned in the context of applications that require manual review or further investigation. In some cases, the Western Australian Government suggests contacting them if you have not received your certificate after 15 business days. Similarly, the Australian Federal Police mentions that fingerprint checks can take between 15 and 30 business days.
It's important to note that the processing time may be influenced by factors such as the need for information from multiple states or territories, manual processing, and the complexity of the check. Additionally, the method of receiving your certificate, whether digital or hard copy, can also impact the overall timeframe. For instance, hard copy certificates may require additional time for postage.
To expedite the process, some services offer a premium option to "jump higher in the queue" during the payment checkout. However, it's important to understand that this only applies to the portion of the process handled by that specific service. Once the application is forwarded to the National Police Checking Service or police agencies, they do not offer an express service.
To summarise, while some police checks in Australia can be completed within a few days or even minutes, certain types of checks, especially those involving fingerprint verification or manual review, can take up to 15 working days or longer. It is always advisable to allow sufficient time for processing and to consider potential delays that may occur due to the complexity of the check or the involvement of multiple jurisdictions.
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Reasons: Employment, volunteering, or citizenship
A National Police Certificate (NPC) is a summary of your offender history in Australia. It is sometimes required for employment, volunteering, or citizenship. You must use the Australian Federal Police (AFP) if your request is for Commonwealth or ACT reasons.
The level of information released on the certificate is based on the purpose of the check. This means you can only use your certificate for that purpose. For example, a certificate issued for "Aged Care staff/volunteers" cannot be used for "Immigration Detention Centre Employment". However, you may use the certificate more than once for the same purpose.
If you live overseas or need temporary or permanent residency or citizenship, you must apply for an NPC via the AFP. If you're going to work or volunteer interstate, you must apply for an NPC from that state or territory.
You will need to pay in Australian dollars via bank cheque or money order, made out to the AFP. You can apply by post or online. If you apply by post, you must include all paperwork, forms, payment, and identification with your application. If you apply online, you will receive your NPC via email.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for a National Police Check online or by post. To apply, you will need to provide three identity documents, including one photo ID. You will also need to pay a fee, which is $56 for the National Police Certificate (NPC) application and $113 if you need to supply fingerprints.
You can apply for a police check online or by post. If applying online, select the 'Apply Online' button and follow the prompts. If applying by post, print and fill out the application form, and send it to the Public Enquiry Service for processing.
The requirements for a police check in Australia include providing three identity documents, such as an Australian passport or citizenship certificate, and paying the application fee. You must also state the purpose of the police check on your application and provide any required fingerprints.
