National Police Checks
The AFP National Police Check system is currently experiencing delays in processing due to a number of factors outside our control. There may be delays in the processing of checks.
National Police Checks are delivered via email as a secure PDF file. Those applicants still requiring a hard copy certificate will have to opt in for that option during the application process. Please note, applicants requiring National Police Checks to be notarised must opt-in for a hard copy as digital certificates cannot be notarised. Applicants can check the status of their National Police Check online and validate completed checks.
On this page:
- Fees
- Application completion guide
- Submitting your application
- Validate and check status of National Police Check
- Fingerprint checks and ACT fingerprinting
- Company checks
- Disputed record enquiries
- National Police Certificates
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Provision of false or misleading information
- Privacy statement
- Contact us
The AFP provides digital National Police Checks at a cost of $42.00.
Applications may be made online for:
- residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Jervis Bay Territory and external Commonwealth territories
- people seeking employment with the Commonwealth Government
- people requiring a check under Commonwealth legislation
- Australian immigration purposes
- where the applicant resides overseas
- overseas employment
- overseas adoption
- visa applications for overseas travel.
All other applicants should contact the Criminal Records section of their relevant State or Territory police service.
Fees
The fees for National Police Checks and related services are:
- $42.00 for each National Police Check application from a government department or an individual.
- $99.00 for a fingerprint and National Police Check application where fingerprints are supplied to the AFP on application.
Application completion guide
You have two options for submitting your application:
- Online;
- A downloadable form for manual completion and submission via the post. If you have selected this option you will receive a hard copy certificate only. Emailed applications will not be accepted.
The following requirements must be met when submitting an AFP National Police Check (NPC) application. Failure to meet the required standards will result in the application not being processed.
- All other names by which you are known or have previously been known (such as your maiden name), must be provided in full, including given names. Check that your date of birth is correctly entered.
- You can pay using either Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Alternatively, for a manually completed application you may pay by bank cheque, which must be in Australian dollars or money order obtainable from Australia Post. Personal and Company Cheques will not be accepted.
- Copies of identification documents totaling 100 points must be provided with your application.
- Parental consent will be required if the applicant is under 18 years of age.
- For manually completed applications:
- You must submit the form no more than three months after signing it.
- Mark the appropriate check boxes with a cross (X).
- Ensure you secure all paperwork, forms, payment, and identification to your application.
- Ensure all the necessary details have been completed and the form is signed and dated.
- The application form must be completed using block letters (ie capital/uppercase)
- Bank cheques and money orders are to be in Australian dollars ($AUD) and are to be made payable to the Australian Federal Police.
If paying by bank cheque it must be from an Australian bank or financial institution affiliated with an Australian bank. Personal and Company cheques will not be accepted.
Submitting your application
Online National Police check application →
NATIONAL POLICE CHECK application form (PDF, 1.8MB) →
Validate and check status of National Police Check
Applicants can check the status of their National Police Check online and validate completed checks.
Fingerprint checks and ACT fingerprinting
Fingerprint checks may only be conducted where there is a legal or regulatory requirement for such a check to be conducted. Your fingerprints will be checked against a central database of records and will take additional time to process. An additional cost is also associated with this service.
Where a fingerprint check is required, it is your responsibility to obtain a full set of fingerprints from your local police jurisdiction. The original of the fingerprints must be posted with your completed off-line application form. Please note that fingerprints taken using a "Livescan" system cannot be accepted.
Applicants in the ACT requiring fingerprints should make a booking to have their fingerprints taken by emailing the ACT Fingerprint Hotline. Please note that this applies to applicants in the ACT only. However, if you require fingerprints in relation to obtaining a Security Licence, please contact Access Canberra for an update on this process.
Company checks
On request, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) may conduct a National Police Check (NPC) on an Australian company ("Company Check") and supply a certificate detailing any convictions and/or any charges pending before a court against that company.
The AFP will conduct a NPC on a company only where the company has authorised for a National Police Check (Company Check) to be obtained, and there is a legitimate Commonwealth or Australian Capital Territory (ACT) requirement (legislative or regulatory) for the company to obtain a Company Check (for example as a part of the Aged Care Approvals Round, for an ACT Master Security Licence etc).
To apply for a Company Check, you will need to be authorised by the company to request the check.
Details on fees, how to apply and application requirements are in the following attachments.
Please note that these applications must be submitted via post. The AFP does not encourage the sending of credit card details via email and will not accept emailed applications.
- Company check request application (PDF, 765KB)
- Company check request - Attachment A - Identification requirements (PDF, 25KB)
- Company check request - Information for applicants (PDF, 95KB)
Disputed record enquiries
If you believe the court outcome/s on your National Police Certificate are incorrect or inaccurate, please complete the Disputed Record form. If you have any additional information or documents supporting your enquiry they should be attached to your Disputed Record Form to enable the AFP to more accurately assess your application. The AFP may require comparison fingerprints to resolve some disputes. In such instances applicants will be notified.
National Police Certificates
Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police are sent via email as a secure PDF file. Applicant may also opt in for a hardcopy during the application process.
Below please find examples of the digital and hardcopy certificate:
Digital certificates
Digital Certificates are sent via email as Secure PDF files.
Unique QR codes are added to each certificate that can be scanned and validated.
Hard copy certificates:
The paper has a number of security features including:
- a watermark consisting of multiple images of a padlock with two keys which is visible when held up to the light
- fluorescent tricolour threads on both sides of the document glow blue, yellow and red when held under ultra violet light
- a border to the right of the police logos on the front of the document is printed in MICROTYPE which can be read when viewed under magnification
- images on the front are printed in heat sensitive ink and, when moderate heat or friction is applied, they will fade or disappear momentarily
- hidden images printed in fluorescent ink and will glow yellow when viewed under ultra violet light
- screened background printed in solvent reactive ink
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have further questions regarding National Police Checks, please visit our Frequently asked questions page before contacting us.
Provision of false or misleading information
You are asked to certify that the personal information you have provided on the completed application form is correct. If it is subsequently discovered, for example as a result of a check of police records, that you have provided false or misleading information, or omitted to provide information that resulted in the application being false or misleading, you will have committed an offence against the Criminal Code Act 1995 and may be prosecuted.
Privacy statement
The Australian Information Commissioner is responsible for ensuring the protection of private information relating to individuals. This includes investigating instances where information has been released improperly or incorrectly. An individual who believes the standards dealing with disclosure and use of old conviction information have been breached may apply to the Australian Information Commissioner for an investigation of the matter. The telephone number is 1300 363 992.
Contact us
Criminal Records - National Police Checks
AFP Criminal Records
Locked Bag 8550
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Ph: (02) 6140 6502
Email Criminal Records
