Make sure our check is right for you

Some organisations have specific police record checking requirements, for example:

  • If you're applying for a job with the Commonwealth Government.
  • Where the check is for visa, citizenship or other immigration purposes.
  • If they need a certificate issued by the police agency in your state (i.e. a NSW Police Check provided by the New South Wales Police Force).
  • When adopting a child from another country.

Before you apply with us, we recommend you contact your potential employer, recruiter or volunteer organisation to make sure an Australia Post National Police Check will meet their needs. 

Apply online

How to get a police check in NSW

Why get your police check for NSW from Australia Post?

According to the Australian Government National Skills Commission, the industries seeing significant job growth in New South Wales include healthcare and social assistance, construction, education and training, science and technical services.

Some of these areas of work are also likely to need regular police checks to retain the right to work – in particular those working in construction, teaching and nursing.

If you work as a nurse, medical professional, in allied health, as a labourer, bricklayer, carpenter, cabinetmaker or plumber, or as a teacher or early learning educator, Australia Post is a great choice as a trusted provider for your police check for New South Wales. Your check can be used across NSW and Australia, and, by undertaking your check with us, you may like to save time on future checks by securely saving some of your data with us. It’s a feature of our check and particularly useful if you know you’ll need to do another one soon.

And, our check is Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) accredited so you know you are getting a complete and accurate history. It’s trusted by government departments, licensing authorities and employers.

Essential information

How much will it cost?

  • $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

How long will it take?

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

Apply now

Proving your identity

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

Has your name ever changed?

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.

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 Some organisations have specific crime record checking requirements. Before you apply with us, we recommend you contact your potential employer, recruiter or volunteer organisation to make sure an Australia Post National Police Check will meet their needs.

5 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.