Australia Post National Police Check

Start your police check application online or in-store. Once it’s been submitted and processed by the police agency you'll receive a digital certificate with your result (typically within 2 business hours1).

How to apply

Apply online

To start your application online you’ll need 4 ID documents.
 

Apply online

Apply at the Post Office

To apply at the Post Office you'll need 4 ID documents and a completed Application for National Police Check form (PDF 353kB).

Find a Post Office

Benefits of a police check with Australia Post

  • Fast – Most applicants receive their result within 2 business hours (provided their ID is accepted1). You can even have your details stored for 10 years to save time on future checks with us.

  • Secure – we use encryption to protect your personal information and police certificate result.

  • Convenient – You'll receive a digital certificate and you can request a hard copy for an extra $10. The employer can confirm authenticity of the digital certificate using the Australia Post mobile app.

Essential information 

Cost of a police check

  • $52 for an employee check (includes digital certificate)
  • $30 for a volunteer check
    (includes digital certificate)
  • $10 extra for a hard copy of your certificate
    (delivered via Registered Post)
  • Ways to pay:
    • Online: Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card
    • In-store: cash, credit or debit card

Processing time for a police check

  • You’ll typically receive an email within 2 business hours with instructions to access your digital certificate.1
  • More complicated applications may be referred to one or more police agencies for manual processing, which can take 15 or more business days.
  • If your police check has taken more than 15 business days you can contact us on 13 7678.
  • If you’ve requested a hard copy of your certificate, allow at least 7 business days for it to arrive via Registered Post before enquiring about its status.

Australia-wide police checking

An Australia Post National Police Check is trusted and valid in all Australian states and territories (mainland).

Your police check certificate (also known as a criminal history check, police clearance or criminal record check) can be used in:

  • Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
  • New South Wales (NSW)
  • Northern Territory (NT)
  • Queensland (QLD)
  • South Australia (SA)
  • Tasmania (TAS)
  • Victoria (VIC)
  • Western Australia (WA)
Apply now

ID documents needed for a police check

To apply for a police check you’ll need 4 types of identification from the list below. Your name and date of birth across your identity documents need to match what you’ve entered on your application and all documents must be unexpired originals, not copies.

Change of name

If the name you use to apply for a police check is different to the name on any of your identity documents, you must show proof of a name change when lodging your application. Documents accepted as proof of a name change are:

  • A marriage certificate or extract (issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages)
  • A certificate of registration of name change
  • Deed poll

These documents must be originals, not copies.

Apply now

Are you a business?

Easily refer contractors, freelancers, interns, volunteers and employees to get their own police checks.

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Streamline your employment screening with our Workforce Verification solution for identity, police and work visa checks.

Find out more

Australia Post International Police Check

An international criminal history check from Australia Post is 100% online, fast and secure. Get police clearance from more than 190 overseas countries and territories, with results typically available in 5-15 business days1.

Find out more

1 If your application is flagged for manual processing it can take 15 or more business days to process your police check.

2 If you have a valid Australian Visa and you're applying online, you don't need to provide a visa document. We'll validate it using your foreign passport details. If you're applying in person, you'll need to bring a printed Visa Grant Notice.