How to apply for a Police Check in Australia (step by step and without paying intermediaries)

If you are in the process of migrating to Australia, applying for an Australian visa, completing a Skills Assessment Australia, or even starting a new job, sooner or later you will be asked to provide an Australian Police Check.

And here’s what surprises many people 👇When you search for “Police Check Australia” on Google, almost everything that appears are private companies charging fees to do the process, when in reality you can apply directly through the official source yourself—and save money.

In this blog, we explain how to apply for a Police Check in Australia step by step, with up-to-date information, in clear English, using the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as the only official reference.

What is a Police Check in Australia?

The National Police Check (NPC) is a certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that shows whether you have (or do not have) any criminal records recorded at the federal level in Australia.

👉 It is commonly required for:

• Australian visas (work, study, permanent residence)

• Skills Assessment Australia

• Employment

• Sponsorship

• Professional registration

  
  

⚠️ Important:If you have lived in Australia, an Australian Police Check is usually mandatory.If you have lived in other countries, you will also need police certificates from those countries.

🧭 Who MUST apply for the Police Check through the AFP?

You must apply directly with the AFP if:

• You have lived in Australia

• Your visa or migration process requires an Australian Police Check

• You are asked for a National Police Certificate (AFP)

💡 Note:Not all Police Checks are valid for migration purposes. The AFP Police

Check is the correct one for most Australian migration processes.

🛠️ How to apply for a Police Check in Australia – Step by step

✅ Step 1: Go to the official AFP website

Apply only through the official Australian Federal Police website:👉 https://www.afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks

Avoid private websites that charge “processing” or “service” fees.

✅ Step 2: Select “Apply for a National Police Check”

On the website:

• Click Apply for a National Police Check

• Select Individual Application

✅ Step 3: Complete your personal details

You will need to provide:

• Full name (exactly as shown on your passport)

• Date of birth

• Nationality

• Name history (if you have changed your name)

• Addresses where you lived in Australia

📌 Important tip:All information must match your visa details, migration forms, and passport. Inconsistencies can cause delays.

✅ Step 4: Choose the correct purpose code

This is where many applicants make mistakes.

For migration purposes, you should usually select:

• Code 33 – Immigration / Citizenship

⚠️ Selecting the wrong code may result in a Police Check that is not valid for your visa application.

✅ Step 5: Upload your identity documents

The AFP requires identity documents totalling 100 points, such as:

• Passport

• Australian visa

• Australian driver’s licence (if applicable)

  
  

Documents must be:

• Clear

• Legible

• In colour

  

  
  

If your documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by an official translation, as required by the Australian Federal Police. The translation must be completed by a NAATI-certified translator, as informal translations are not accepted and may cause delays or additional requests. To avoid errors and ensure your application proceeds smoothly, we recommend Entrelingo Traducciones, specialists in NAATI-certified translations for Police Checks, visas, and Australian migration processes, with fast turnaround times and officially accepted formats.

✅ Step 6: Pay the official fee

💰 Approximate cost:

• AUD $42 (may vary slightly)

  
  

👉 This is the only mandatory fee. Any higher amount is usually charged by intermediaries.

✅ Step 7: Submit your application and keep the confirmation

After submitting:

• You will receive a confirmation email

• The certificate is usually issued in PDF format

• Processing time is typically 2 to 15 business days

⏱️ How long is the Police Check valid?

For migration processes:

• Generally 12 months, unless Home Affairs specifies otherwise

👉 Always check when it is best to apply, so it does not expire too early.

⚠️ Common mistakes when applying for a Police Check

Avoid these frequent errors:

• ❌ Using unnecessary private websites

• ❌ Selecting the wrong purpose code

• ❌ Name or date inconsistencies

• ❌ Applying too early (and letting it expire)

🧠 Strategic tip (very important)

Although you can apply for the Police Check yourself, timing is critical within a migration process.

At AustraliaPRO, we help our clients:

• Know when to request it

• Determine whether an AFP or state police check applies

• Correctly integrate it with migration documentation

• Coordinate it with NAATI-certified translations, when required

🎯 Conclusion: yes, you can do it yourself (and save money)

👉 The Police Check in Australia is a straightforward and accessible process👉 You do not need intermediaries to apply👉 Doing it correctly from the start helps avoid delays and refusals

The key is not just completing the process, but doing it at the right time and for the correct purpose. 💡 If you want expert advice for your 2026 application, contact us. Let’s prepare together to fulfill your Australian dream — without anything to hide! At AustraliaPRO, together with our MARA registered migration agents, we are here to support you every step of the way.  Write to us on WhatsApp and request your free consultation here.

To stay updated with the latest news on migration and Skills Assessment—and to connect with other professionals on the same path—we invite you to join our exclusive WhatsApp group. There, you can share experiences, solve doubts in real time, and receive continuous support from our team and fellow migrants. You’re not alone in this journey! Join now and be part of a community of professionals committed to their future in Australia.