Apply online
To start your application online you’ll need 4 ID documents.
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.
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).
Benefits of a police check with Australia Post
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Fast – Results are typically received within 2 business hours2. You can also choose to store your details and save time on future checks with us1.
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Secure – We collect your information for the purpose of verifying your identity and we encrypt any information we receive. Your personal information and check result is always treated confidentially.
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Convenient – You'll receive a digital certificate and you can request a hard copy for an extra $103. Scan your certificate's QR code using the Australia Post app to confirm authenticity.
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Trusted – Accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). Complete, accurate and trusted by government departments, licencing authorities and employers.
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)3 - Ways to pay:
- Online: Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card
- In-store: cash, credit or debit card
Processing time for a police check
Once your identity is verified (online or at the Post Office), you’ll typically receive an email to access your digital certificate within 2 business hours.2
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)
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, digital Identity documents or copies are not accepted.
Note: processing times may vary depending on how you prove your identity.2
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
- Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Birth Death and Marriages showing both the birth name and the changed name/s.
These documents must be originals, not copies.
Are you a business?
Police checks for businesses
Easily refer contractors, freelancers, interns, volunteers and employees to get their own police checks.
Workforce Verification
Streamline your employment screening with our Workforce Verification solution for identity, police and work visa checks.
Australia Post International Police Check
If you’ve recently returned from a long stint working abroad (six months or more) or are new to Australia, your potential employer may need you to complete international police clearance as part of your pre-employment screening.
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 days.5
1 Your police check details will be stored securely for 10 years and can be reused on your next police check.
2 Around 70% of applicants who finalise their application at the Post Office receive their check result within 2 business hours. Online processing times are typically 1 – 2 business days and may vary depending on demand. 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 please call us on 13 7678.
3 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.
4 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.
5 If your application is flagged for manual processing it can take 15 or more business days to process your police check.
