AFP Police Certificate for immigration, citizenship and overseas purposes
If you are applying for an Australian visa, permanent residency, citizenship, overseas employment, or an international visa, you may be asked to provide an AFP Police Certificate or AFP National Police Check. This certificate is issued by the Australian Federal Police and shows whether you have disclosable criminal history information in Australia.
For immigration, citizenship, permanent residency and overseas visa purposes, a generic employment police check may not be suitable. Applicants are commonly asked for an AFP police certificate or Australian Federal Police check because the issuing authority and selected purpose can affect what appears on the certificate.
Apply for an AFP Police Check online
Apply online with AuthNTick for a secure and simple AFP Police Check application.
Notice: AuthNTick is a private AFP-accredited provider and is not a government agency. Applicants may also apply directly through the Australian Federal Police or another authorised pathway, where fees and processing options may differ.
What is an AFP Police Certificate?
An AFP Police Certificate, also known as an AFP National Police Check, is a police certificate issued for selected official purposes including immigration, overseas visa applications, Commonwealth employment, ACT licensing and overseas adoption. It may show disclosable court outcomes or criminal history information depending on the purpose selected and the relevant disclosure rules.
This is different from an ordinary employment police check used for many workplace roles in Australia. If a department, embassy, migration agent or overseas authority asks for an AFP certificate, choose the AFP police check pathway rather than a general National Police Check for employment.
When do you need an AFP National Police Check?
An AFP National Police Check may be required when the requesting authority needs a police certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police. Common situations include immigration, citizenship, permanent residency, overseas visa applications, Commonwealth employment, ACT employment or licensing, overseas adoption and regulatory compliance.
Immigration, citizenship and permanent residency
You may need an AFP police check for immigration, Australian citizenship or permanent residency where Home Affairs or another authority asks for an Australian Federal Police check.
Overseas visa, employment and residency
Some overseas governments, employers or visa programs may request a police certificate for visa, work permit, residency or international background screening purposes.
Commonwealth employment
Commonwealth roles and official Australian Government screening processes may require an AFP National Police Check using the relevant purpose category.
ACT employment and licensing
Certain ACT employment, licensing and regulated activity checks use AFP purpose categories and may apply different disclosure rules from standard employment checks.
Overseas adoption
Intercountry or overseas adoption processes may require an AFP Police Certificate to support suitability and background screening requirements.
Compliance and regulatory requirements
Some regulatory, licensing, security or high-trust settings may request an AFP certificate because the check purpose determines the disclosure framework.
Overseas? Need an Australian Federal Police Check
If you are outside Australia and a visa office, employer, university, adoption authority or government agency asks for an Australian police certificate, you may need an Australian Federal Police Check, also called an AFP National Police Check.
An AFP Police Check from overseas is different from a standard employment police check. It is issued through the Australian Federal Police process and may be requested for immigration, citizenship, permanent residency, overseas visa applications, overseas employment, study, adoption or other official purposes.
AuthNTick helps overseas applicants complete a secure online AFP police check application, upload identity documents and receive guidance on the correct purpose for their check. Apply for an AFP Police Check from overseas.
Choosing the correct purpose for your AFP Police Check
The purpose you select for your AFP Police Check matters. Different purposes can result in different disclosure rules, including whether the certificate is for immigration or citizenship in Australia, an overseas visa, Commonwealth employment, ACT licensing, overseas adoption or another official requirement.
AFP Police Checks for ACT employment and licensing
Some ACT employment, licensing and regulated activity purposes may require an AFP Police Check using the correct ACT purpose code. This can include ACT roles connected with hospitals, security licensing, aged care, child care, disability care, firearms, schools and other regulated settings.
If an ACT employer, licensing body or regulator gives you a purpose code or specific wording, use that information when applying. Choosing the correct purpose may affect what information is released on the certificate.
For a detailed list of ACT purpose codes, read our guide to ACT-specific employment and licensing police checks.
Identity document requirements for an AFP Police Check
When applying for an AFP Police Certificate or AFP National Police Check, applicants must provide identity documents so their identity can be verified before the check is processed. The AFP requires applicants to provide identity documents worth at least 100 points in total. These documents should clearly show the required details such as name, date of birth, photograph, signature, and current address where applicable.
Common identity documents may include an Australian passport, foreign passport, Australian driver licence, Medicare card, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, student card, utility notice, bank card, or other accepted identity documents. The documents provided should match the personal details used in the AFP police check application. If the applicant's name has changed, they may also need to provide supporting evidence such as a marriage certificate or change of name certificate.
For a full guide to AFP Police Check identity documents, AFP Police Certificate identity requirements, and 100 points of ID AFP Police Check requirements, read Identity Documents Required for an AFP Police Check.
New Zealand and foreign passport holder document requirements
If you are applying for an AFP Police Certificate with a New Zealand passport or another foreign passport, you may need to provide passport details, identity documents and supporting visa or entitlement evidence so your application can be checked before submission.
Make sure your passport, personal details and any VEVO or visa entitlement information match the details used in your AFP Police Check application. Clear, valid uploads can help reduce avoidable delays.
Read our guide to document requirements for New Zealand and foreign passport holders before you apply.
How to Apply for an AFP Police Check Online
Apply online for an AFP Police Certificate for immigration, citizenship, overseas visa applications, Commonwealth employment, ACT licensing or another official purpose.
At AuthNTick, we make it easy to apply for an AFP police check online through a secure, mobile-friendly process designed for individuals, employers and organisations.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an AFP Police Check
To apply, start by visiting the AuthNTick website and completing the online application form. You will be asked to provide your personal details, upload valid identity documents, and select the correct purpose code for your application.
After your identity documents are reviewed, you can pay the application fee and submit your request. Most AFP police checks are processed within 7 to 15 business days, although some applications may take longer if further review is required.
What ID Do You Need for an AFP Police Check?
To complete your AFP police check application, you must provide identification documents worth at least 100 points. This must include at least one primary identity document, with the remaining points made up of additional primary or secondary documents.
Common primary documents include an Australian passport, foreign passport, Australian citizenship certificate, full birth certificate, or Australian driver licence. Secondary documents may include a Medicare card, bank statement, marriage certificate, utility bill, or other recognised government-issued documents.
If your documents were issued outside Australia, you may also need an official English translation.
View AFP Police Check Requirements
What Does an AFP Police Check Show?
An AFP police check certificate may include disclosable court outcomes, findings of guilt, pending charges, outstanding warrants, and other police information released in line with the purpose of the application.
It is important to remember that an AFP police certificate is a point-in-time check. This means it reflects police information available at the time the certificate is issued.
How Long Is an AFP Police Check Valid?
An AFP police certificate does not have a fixed universal expiry date. Instead, it is treated as valid at the time it is issued. However, many employers, government agencies, and visa authorities prefer a certificate that has been issued within the last 12 months.
If you are applying for immigration, citizenship, or overseas employment, always check the specific requirements of the organisation requesting the certificate.
When Do You Need an AFP Police Check with Fingerprints?
In some cases, a standard name-based AFP police check is not enough. Certain overseas visa applications, high-trust employment roles, and specialised government or security-related positions may require an AFP police check with fingerprints.
Fingerprints are usually taken at a local police station using an approved fingerprint card. Because fingerprint-based applications involve extra processing, they often take longer than standard checks.
AFP Police Check vs NCCHC
Many people are unsure whether they need an AFP police check or a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC). While both involve criminal history screening, they are commonly used for different purposes.
- NCCHC: Commonly used for general employment, volunteer roles, and tenancy screening.
- AFP Police Check: Commonly required for immigration, citizenship, overseas travel, overseas employment, and some Commonwealth-related purposes.
Choosing the correct check type is important, as submitting the wrong application can lead to unnecessary delays.
Why Apply Through AuthNTick?
AuthNTick offers a secure and user-friendly way to apply for an AFP police check online. Our platform is designed to help individuals complete their applications quickly and accurately, while also giving employers and organisations access to streamlined, compliant screening solutions.
With fast turnaround times, strong data security, and support from a local team, AuthNTick helps reduce manual processing and makes it easier to manage police checks with confidence.
Ready to Start Your AFP Police Check Application?
Begin your application online today or contact our team if you need help choosing the right check type, purpose code, or identity documents.
Need Help With Your AFP Police Check Application?
If you are unsure which AFP police check you need, what ID documents to provide, or which purpose code to choose, contact our team before submitting your application.
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