What Is an AFP Police Certificate?

If you are applying for a visa, citizenship, or permanent residency in Australia, you may be required to provide an AFP Police Certificate as part of your application. This document, issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), verifies whether you have any disclosable criminal history in Australia.

An AFP police check for immigration is a certified national background screening that details any criminal records across Australia’s states and territories. It is frequently required for visa processing, employment in high-trust positions, and certain legal matters.

How to Apply for an AFP Police Check Online

Applying for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check online is a simple process when you have the right documents ready. Whether you need it for immigration, overseas employment, citizenship, or a Commonwealth-related role, choosing the correct purpose and submitting accurate details can help avoid delays.

At AuthNTick, we make it easy to apply for an AFP police check online through a secure, mobile-friendly process designed for individuals, employers, and organisations.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an AFP Police Check

To apply, start by visiting the AuthNTick website and completing the online application form. You will be asked to provide your personal details, upload valid identity documents, and select the correct purpose code for your application.

After your identity documents are reviewed, you can pay the application fee and submit your request. Most AFP police checks are processed within 7 to 15 business days, although some applications may take longer if further review is required.

What ID Do You Need for an AFP Police Check?

To complete your AFP police check application, you must provide identification documents worth at least 100 points. This must include at least one primary identity document, with the remaining points made up of additional primary or secondary documents.

Common primary documents include an Australian passport, foreign passport, Australian citizenship certificate, full birth certificate, or Australian driver licence. Secondary documents may include a Medicare card, bank statement, marriage certificate, utility bill, or other recognised government-issued documents.

If your documents were issued outside Australia, you may also need an official English translation.

View Accepted ID Documents

What Does an AFP Police Check Show?

An AFP police check certificate may include disclosable court outcomes, findings of guilt, pending charges, outstanding warrants, and other police information released in line with the purpose of the application.

It is important to remember that an AFP police certificate is a point-in-time check. This means it reflects police information available at the time the certificate is issued.

How Long Is an AFP Police Check Valid?

An AFP police certificate does not have a fixed universal expiry date. Instead, it is treated as valid at the time it is issued. However, many employers, government agencies, and visa authorities prefer a certificate that has been issued within the last 12 months.

If you are applying for immigration, citizenship, or overseas employment, always check the specific requirements of the organisation requesting the certificate.

When Do You Need an AFP Police Check with Fingerprints?

In some cases, a standard name-based AFP police check is not enough. Certain overseas visa applications, high-trust employment roles, and specialised government or security-related positions may require an AFP police check with fingerprints.

Fingerprints are usually taken at a local police station using an approved fingerprint card. Because fingerprint-based applications involve extra processing, they often take longer than standard checks.

AFP Police Check vs NCCHC

Many people are unsure whether they need an AFP police check or a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC). While both involve criminal history screening, they are commonly used for different purposes.

• NCCHC: Commonly used for general employment, volunteer roles, and tenancy screening.
• AFP Police Check: Commonly required for immigration, citizenship, overseas travel, overseas employment, and some Commonwealth-related purposes.

Choosing the correct check type is important, as submitting the wrong application can lead to unnecessary delays.

Why Apply Through AuthNTick?

AuthNTick offers a secure and user-friendly way to apply for an AFP police check online. Our platform is designed to help individuals complete their applications quickly and accurately, while also giving employers and organisations access to streamlined, compliant screening solutions.

With fast turnaround times, strong data security, and support from a local team, AuthNTick helps reduce manual processing and makes it easier to manage police checks with confidence.