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. an SA Police Check provided by the South Australia Police).
  • 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.

How to get a police check in SA

Why get your police check for SA from Australia Post?

Employment in South Australia is concentrated around the state’s capital, with almost 80% of all South Australians working in Adelaide – predominantly in medical fields, healthcare, social work, the retail sector and manufacturing. And the demand is there. ABS figures for 2021 ‘confirm that South Australia has emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever with 60,300 jobs created in the last year’.

Employers in these sectors – those related to the care of children, the elderly and vulnerable people – often require their workforce to regularly complete police checks.

If you’re working in South Australia as a nurse, early learning educator, in aged care or with people who have a disability, you may consider Australia Post for your police check for Adelaide. Our check is valid throughout SA and across Australia. And, if you do need to update your check regularly, you can save some of your details with us to make your next check application faster.

Our check is also 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.

What you need to know

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

Apply now

Identity documents needed for your 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, digital Identity documents or copies are not accepted.

Note: processing times may vary depending on how you prove your identity.2

Changed your 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.

Apply now

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.