Applying for an Australian visa or citizenship? Getting the right police check is an important step that applicants shouldn’t overlook.
An Australian Federal Police check is a national police certificate that lists disclosable criminal history from every Australian state and territory, and it is the document immigration authorities usually request from applicants who have lived in Australia for 12 months or more. The AFP check is applied for online, and the AFP completes and posts most applications within 48 hours.
This guide explains who needs an AFP police check for a visa, how the online application works, what the AFP national police check costs and how long processing takes. It also compares the main ways to apply and lists the mistakes that most often delay an application.
What is an Australian Federal Police check?
An Australian Federal Police check, also called a national police check or National Police Certificate, is a summary of an individual’s offender history in Australia issued by the AFP. The AFP is the issuer when a request is made for Commonwealth or ACT reasons, which includes immigration.
What does an AFP national police check show?
An AFP national police check shows disclosable court outcomes and other disclosable police information from police services across Australia. The AFP compares an applicant’s name and date of birth against a central index, then releases only the information that federal, state and territory laws and current policy allow.
Local and interstate criminal and traffic court outcomes can appear on the certificate. Spent convictions may be left off, depending on the relevant legislation, so the certificate is a disclosable summary rather than a complete criminal record.
How is an AFP check different from a state or ACIC police check?
An AFP check is issued by the Australian Federal Police for Commonwealth purposes, while state police checks and ACIC checks are issued mainly for employment, volunteering and licensing. Visa checklists do not accept state or territory certificates, so the AFP version is the one that matters for immigration.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) runs the National Police Checking Service behind most employer checks. Those ACIC certificates are not accepted for visa applications.
Who needs an AFP police check for a visa?
An AFP police check for a visa is generally needed by applicants who have spent a significant period living in Australia, and the exact requirement appears on each visa document checklist. The rule below is the one most commonly applied.
When does immigration require an AFP check?
Immigration requires an AFP check when an applicant has lived in Australia for a cumulative 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16, based on Department of Home Affairs character requirements. The 12 months do not need to be continuous, so several shorter stays can add up to the threshold.
Applicants who have not reached that threshold are generally not asked for an AFP certificate, although a case officer can still request one. Time spent in other countries is covered by separate overseas police certificates.
Which visa and citizenship applications commonly ask for an AFP police check?
Skilled, employer-sponsored, partner, graduate and citizenship applications may ask for a police certificate as one of the supporting documents, although the individual checklist is the final authority. Applicants lodging a permanent residence or citizenship application after several years in Australia are the most likely to be asked.
The AFP also issues checks for working overseas and for certain overseas visa applications. A certificate can only be used for the purpose stated on the application.
How to apply for an AFP police check online
An AFP police check online is lodged through the AFP National Police Checks portal, because no over-the-counter service is offered. Preparing identity documents first keeps the application quick.
What documents are needed for an AFP police check application?
An AFP police check application needs identity documents worth at least 100 points, a clear scan or photocopy of each, and a list of all other names used. Names should match the current passport exactly, including maiden names, aliases and anglicised versions.
An email address is also required, because the digital certificate is sent there as a secure PDF.
What are the steps to apply for an AFP national police check?
An AFP national police check for visa purposes is completed in six steps through the online portal. Fingerprints cannot be included in the online route and are generally not requested for visa checks.
- Gather and scan identity documents worth 100 points.
- Open the AFP National Police Checks portal and start a new application.
- Select the purpose type Commonwealth Employment/Purpose, then Code 33 for immigration or citizenship.
- Enter the legal name as shown on the passport, add all other names and confirm the date of birth.
- Upload the documents, add an email address and pay by credit card.
- Receive a payment receipt, then the digital certificate by email once the check is finalised.
Which purpose code should be selected for a visa?
Code 33, labelled Immigration/Citizenship, is the purpose code typically selected for an AFP police check supporting a visa, under the Commonwealth Employment/Purpose type. The code matters because the level of information released is based on the stated purpose, and a certificate can only be used for that purpose.
How much does an AFP police check cost and how long does it take?
An AFP police check costs $57 for a standard name-based application, and the AFP completes most applications within 48 hours. Both figures change with the application type, so the details below separate the standard route from the fingerprint route.
How much does an AFP national police check cost?
A standard AFP national police check costs $57, or $114 when fingerprints are included, based on the AFP’s published fees as at October 2026. Both fees are exempt from GST, and online payment is by credit card.
Accredited brokers add their own service fee, with listed prices starting from about $130, depending on the provider.
How long does AFP police check processing take?
The AFP completes and posts most checks within 48 hours, and most online digital certificates arrive within a few days, although it can take longer when information is needed from multiple states or territories. Fingerprint checks take 15 to 30 business days.
Hard-copy certificates need extra time for postage, and applicants are asked to wait at least 15 business days before enquiring about status. Applicants with a firm lodgment deadline often allow around 15 business days as a buffer, which matches the longer timeframe some accredited brokers quote.
Which AFP police check option suits each applicant?
Four routes are commonly used to obtain a police certificate in Australia, and only some are accepted for immigration. The comparison covers cost, timeframe and suitability for each.
How do the main AFP check options compare?
The AFP online application is the fastest and lowest cost route for most visa applicants, while the postal fingerprint route and accredited brokers suit narrower situations.
Is a migration agent worth involving for an AFP check?
A registered migration agent is worth involving when an applicant is unsure which certificate a visa checklist requires, because a wrong certificate means paying and waiting again. MARA-registered agents can help applicants confirm the correct police certificate requirements for their visa application before lodging, reducing the risk of errors and unnecessary delays.
What mistakes delay an AFP police check for visa applications?
Most delays to an AFP police check trace back to a small number of avoidable errors in the application. The three below are the most common.
Why does the wrong purpose code cause problems?
Selecting the wrong purpose code produces a certificate that a visa case officer may reject, because each certificate is limited to the purpose stated at application. A new application and a second fee are then needed, since submitted applications are not refunded.
What happens if names do not match the passport?
Names that do not match the passport can lead to identity queries, manual review and a longer wait. The legal name as shown on the current passport should be entered first, followed by every other name used, such as maiden names and aliases.
Errors in the details entered by the applicant need a new paid application.
Should a second application be lodged if a certificate is late?
A second application should not be lodged unless the AFP asks for one, because duplicate applications add cost without speeding up processing. Contacting the AFP after the 15 business day waiting period is the recommended step.
Getting an Australian Federal Police check right the first time
An Australian Federal Police check for a visa is a $57 online application, typically completed within 48 hours, that must carry the Immigration/Citizenship purpose code and a name that matches the passport. Fingerprint, broker and state options exist, but only the AFP certificate answers the immigration requirement for time spent in Australia.
At Hays Migration and Education, we confirm which police certificates a visa checklist requires before an application is lodged, and we plan the timing so certificates remain current when a decision is made. Our MARA- and IAA-registered agents have supported individuals, families and employers across study, skilled and employer-sponsored pathways for more than 15 years, and we explain each document requirement in plain language.
Ready to get the right documents in place for your visa application? Contact our team at Hays Migration and Education for expert guidance and support throughout the process.
Frequently asked questions
What is a national police clearance in Australia?
A national police clearance in Australia is another name for a National Police Certificate, also called a national police check or AFP certificate. It summarises an individual’s disclosable criminal history across all Australian states and territories. The AFP issues the certificate for immigration and Commonwealth purposes, while employers and licensing bodies usually use accredited ACIC providers.
How long is an AFP police check valid for a visa application?
An AFP police check is valid from its date of application, and immigration authorities generally treat police certificates as current for 12 months. The certificate records no court outcomes that occur after the application date, and the requesting organisation decides how long to accept it. Certificates should therefore still be current when a visa decision is made.
Can the AFP fee be refunded after an application is submitted?
The AFP fee cannot be refunded once an application is submitted, even when the certificate proves unsuitable for the intended purpose. Applicants are responsible for confirming that the check suits their purpose before paying. A new application and fee are needed when the wrong purpose code is chosen or incorrect details are entered.
Is an AFP national police check the same as an overseas police certificate?
An AFP national police check is not the same as an overseas police certificate, because each covers a different country. The AFP check covers time spent in Australia, while certificates from other countries cover periods of 12 months or more spent there in the last 10 years since turning 16. Applicants with international histories may need several documents.
How can the status of an AFP application be checked online?
The status of an AFP national police check can be checked through the AFP online status check page. The AFP also sends emails when an application is received and when the certificate is finalised. For hard-copy certificates, contacting the AFP is advised only after at least 15 business days, because postage adds time.
Do spent convictions appear on an AFP national police check?
Spent convictions may not appear on an AFP national police check, depending on the relevant federal, state or territory legislation. The certificate lists only disclosable court outcomes, outstanding warrants and pending charges. Some purposes are exempt from spent conviction laws, so the information released can differ by purpose, and the contents cannot be confirmed in advance.
Do family members on a visa application need their own AFP certificate?
Family members on a visa application generally need their own AFP certificate when they are aged 16 or over and have lived in Australia for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16. An AFP check cannot be requested for another person without consent, and applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to co-sign.
Do fingerprints need to be taken for an AFP police check for a visa?
Fingerprints are generally not needed for an AFP police check supporting an Australian visa, and the online application cannot include them. A fingerprint check costs $114 and takes 15 to 30 business days. It is mainly requested for specific purposes such as security licensing or certain overseas visa processes, and a case officer’s request is the reliable trigger.
