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 VIC Police Check provided by Victoria 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 apply

Why get your police check for Victoria from Australia Post?

The job market in Australia is seeing rapid change in several key fields as a response to the global pandemic. According to Job Outlook (an initiative of the Australian Government National Skills Commission), the future will see a growing demand in Victoria for disability and aged care support workers, child carers, software and applications programmers, management and organisational analysts, accountants, teachers and educator aides.

A number of these roles also require regular police check reporting for you to retain your right to work – for example, people working with children and/or vulnerable people (e.g. the elderly or people with a disability).

If the type of work you do means you need to regularly renew your police check, an Australia Post National Police Check is an excellent option for your VIC police check. Your check can be used across Melbourne, Victoria and Australia, and, by using us for your check, you can store some of your data with us to use on your next check – saving valuable time.

An Australia Post National Police 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.

Important 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

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What ID is required to apply 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, digital Identity documents or copies are not accepted.

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

Have you 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.

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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.