Everything You Need to Know About AFP Police Certificates for Immigration

What Is an AFP Police Certificate?

A National Police Check (NPC) is an official document issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that details an individual’s criminal history (if any). You may need to apply for an NPC for various legal, employment, or immigration-related reasons, including the following:

AFP Police Check

Required for immigration, citizenship, visas, general purpose standard and Commonwealth Employment purpose

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• Residency Requirements – If you reside in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Jervis Bay Territory, or other external Commonwealth territories, an NPC may be required for legal or administrative purposes.
• Employment with the Commonwealth Government – Many government agencies require a police check before hiring employees, mainly for security, finance, or public trust roles.
• Compliance with Commonwealth Legislation – Certain professions, such as healthcare, finance, or childcare, may require a police check to meet regulatory and licensing standards.
• Australian Immigration Purposes – If you are applying for citizenship, permanent residency, or certain visas, the Australian Government may require an NPC as part of the background verification process.
• Overseas Residency or Employment – Some foreign governments or employers require an Australian police check as part of their background screening process before granting work permits or residency visas.
• Visa Applications for Overseas Travel – Some countries may require an Australian NPC when applying for a visa, particularly for long-term stays, work permits, or study programs.
• Overseas Adoption – If you plan to adopt a child from another country, you may need to provide an NPC to comply with international adoption laws and demonstrate your suitability as a guardian.

How to Apply for an Australian Federal Police Clearance

To obtain an Australian Federal Police clearance, follow these steps:

1. Visit the AuthNTick Website – Access the official AFP service provider website and complete the National Police Check application.
2. Provide Identification – You must submit valid identification documents, such as a passport or driver’s license.
3. Select the Correct Code – For immigration purposes, use Code 33 to ensure your certificate meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements.
4. Pay the Fee – Submit the required payment to process your request.
5. Receive Your Certificate—Processing times vary, but most applicants receive their certificates within 7 to 15 business days.

Why Do You Need a National Police Check?

A National Police Check (NPC) is often required for various reasons, including pre-employment screenings, volunteer work, or obtaining licenses. It helps employers, organizations, and authorities assess your criminal history to ensure you meet their standards for specific roles or responsibilities. Whether you're applying for a job, a visa, or working with vulnerable groups, a clean NPC assures that you're trustworthy and reliable.

Who Needs an AFP Police Check?

A federal criminal background check is essential for:

• Individuals applying for Australian visas, including partner visas and employer-sponsored visas.
• Those seeking Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Employment in sectors that require high security clearance, such as government roles.
• Individuals involved in legal name changes or adoption processes.

How to Apply for an Australian Federal Police Check

To obtain an Australian Federal Police clearance, follow these steps:

1. Visit the AuthNTick Website – Access the official AFP service provider website and complete the National Police Check application at https://www.authntick.com.au.
2. Provide Identification – Submit valid documents such as a passport or driver’s license.
3. Select the Correct Code – For immigration purposes, choose Code 33 to ensure your certificate meets the Department of Home Affairs requirements.
4. Pay the Fee – Complete the payment to process your request.
5. Receive Your Certificate – Processing times typically range from 7 to 15 business days, depending on your application.

AFP Check: What’s Needed and How Are Points Counted?

When applying for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check, providing the correct documents to verify your identity is essential. You must submit at least one primary document; if you’re submitting foreign documents, they must include an official translation.

The points system is used to assess your documents, requiring a minimum total of 100 points. Here’s how the points are calculated based on the documents you provide:

Primary Documents (Required)

Primary documents are generally the most reliable forms of identification. These include:

• Foreign Passport (current) – Points depend on the document specifics.
• Australian Passport (current or expired within the last two years but not cancelled) – Full points if applicable.
• Australian Citizenship Certificate – A strong proof of identity.
• Full Birth Certificate (not extract) – A key document to establish your identity.
• Certificate of Identity – Issued to refugees and non-citizens for entry into Australia.

Secondary Documents (Additional Options)

These documents are also accepted for the AFP check, and many can help you quickly accumulate points. Examples include:

• Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) card – 40 points (requires Name and Address)
• Centrelink card (with reference number) – 40 points (requires Name and Address)
• Birth Certificate Extract – 25 points (requires Name)
• Birth Card (NSW BDM only) – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Medicare Card – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Credit Card or Account Card – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Australian Marriage Certificate (Registry Issue only) – 25 points (requires Name and Signature)
• Decree Nisi / Decree Absolute (Registry Issue only) – 25 points (requires Name and Signature)
• Change of Name Certificate (Registry Issue only) – 25 points (requires Name and Signature)
• Bank Statement – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Property Lease Agreement (current address) – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Taxation Assessment Notice – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Australian Mortgage Documents – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Rating Authority Documents (e.g., Land Rates) – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Utility Bill (less than 12 months old, electricity, gas, telephone) – 25 points (requires Name and Address)
• Reference from Indigenous Organisation – 25 points (requires Name and Photo)
• Documents issued outside Australia (equivalent to Australian documents) – 25 points (requires Name and Photo, along with official translation)

Points Allocation

Documents such as an Australian driver's License or a Current Australian Tertiary Student ID are worth 40 points each when they include your name, photo, and address. Similarly, Government-issued IDs and Defence Force Identity Cards are worth 40 points.

Other documents Centrelink card, Medicare card, and bank statement are worth 25 points your name and address.

Calculating Your Total Points

You need a combination of documents to meet the minimum 100 points requirement. For example:

• Driver’s License (40 points)
• Birth Certificate (25 points)
• Bank Statement (25 points)

This would give you 90 points, so you'd need an additional 10 points to reach the required 100 points.

Review your documents and verify that they meet the AFP’s requirements, including submitting any foreign documents with official translations. By doing so, you can submit a successful AFP check application with the necessary points.

 What is the POI for AFP Police Check

The Proof of Identity (POI) process for applying for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check (NPC) requires you to provide specific documents that validate your identity. You must meet certain criteria regarding the documents supplied to ensure your application is processed. Here's a breakdown of how the points system works and how it applies to the documents:

Primary Documents Required

You must supply at least ONE Primary document. Primary documents generally include identification documents that contain key details like your full name, photo, address, and signature. The documents listed below may be used to support your identity verification.

Note:

• Foreign documents must accompany foreign documents
• Documents need not be certified unless you provide a translation or power of attorney.

How Points Are Calculated

Each document you provide will be assigned a specific point value, depending on the type and details it contains. Applicant based on the documents they provide.

Primary Documents (Higher Points)

These documents are considered to be more valuable in proving your identity. You must provide at least one of the following primary documents (with associated points). Points are awarded based on whether the document includes the required identifiers (name, photo, address, or signature).

• Foreign Passport (current) – Points determined based on N, P
• Australian Passport (current or expired within the last 2 years, but not cancelled) – Points determined based on N, P
• Australian Citizenship Certificate – Points based on N
• Full Birth Certificate (not extract) – Points based on N
• Certificate of Identity (issued by Australian Government for refugees or non-citizens) – Points based on N, P
• Australian Driver’s License/Learner’s Permit – Points based on N, P, A
• Current (Australian) Tertiary Student Identification Card – Points based on N, P
• Government Employee ID (Australian Federal/State/Territory) – Points based on N, P

Secondary Documents (Lower Points)

These documents are also valuable but are generally not as authoritative as primary documents. They can be used to gain additional points in your application.

• Centrelink card (with reference number) – Points based on N
• Medicare card – Points based on N
• Bank statement – Points based on A
• Utility Bill (electricity, gas, telephone) – Points based on A
• Taxation assessment notice – Points based on A
• Australian Marriage Certificate (Registry issued only) – Points based on N
• Credit card or account card – Points based on N
• Property lease agreement (current address) – Points based on A

Example of Points Worth

• Foreign Passport – Usually worth the highest points if it includes your Name and Photo.
• Driver’s License – Worth points for Name, Photo, and Address.
• Medicare Card – May only gain points for Name.

Minimum Points Requirement

In general, you must provide documents that total 100 points to meet the AFP’s identity verification requirements. For example:

• A passport might give you 70 points.
• A driver’s license might provide 40 points.

What Are the Different Types of Commonwealth Employment Police Checks?

National Police Checks (NPCs) for Commonwealth employment are required for roles regulated under Commonwealth law, such as government positions, immigration, financial services, and care roles. Below are some specific police check codes for Commonwealth employment:

1.     Code 22: Aged Care Staff/Volunteers
Unspent offences + offences against the person (if state/territory law permits).

2.     Code 23: Aged Care Key Personnel
Unspent offences.

3.     Code 25: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Consumer Credit/Financial Services Licensing Requirements
Unspent offences.

4.     Code 27: Care of Intellectually Disabled Persons
Unspent offences + offences against the person (if state/territory law permits).

5.     Code 28: Care, Instruction or Supervision of Children
Unspent offences + (i) sexual offences, (ii) offences against persons under 18 (if state/territory law permits).

6.     Code 29: Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Roles
Unspent offences.

7.     Code 32: Immigration Detention Centre Employment
Unspent offences + violent offences (if state/territory law permits).

8.     Code 33: Immigration/Citizenship (Department of Home Affairs)
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

9.     Code 35: Overseas Visa (For non-Australian countries)
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

10.  Code 36: Superannuation Trustee/Investment Manager/Responsible Officer
Unspent offences + offences related to dishonest conduct (if state/territory law permits).

11.  Code 37: Care, Instruction or Supervision of Children/Care of Disabled Persons/Aged Care Staff/Volunteers
Unspent offences + (i) sexual offences, (ii) offences against persons under 18, (iii) offences against persons (if state/territory law permits).

12.  Code 40: Other Commonwealth Purpose ONLY
Unspent offences.
(For non-Commonwealth-related purposes, please contact AuthNTick)

What Are the Police Checks for Overseas Employment & Visa Applications?

If you require a police check for overseas employment or a visa application, choose one of the following purposes:

1.     Code 41: Overseas Employment - General Employment
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

2.     Code 42: Overseas Employment - Aged/Disabled Care
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

3.     Code 43: Overseas Employment - Teaching
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

4.     Code 44: Overseas Employment - Working with Children
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

5.     Code 45: Overseas Employment - Nursing, Hospital Employment
All Commonwealth offences + other state/territory offences as legislation permits.

If your NPC purpose is not listed or you are unsure, contact the AuthNTick National Police Check Help Desk at contactus@authntick.com.au

AFP Police Certificates for Immigration: What You Need to Know

An AFP police check for immigration is an official background check that provides information on an individual’s criminal history (if any) across all Australian states and territories. This check is commonly required for visa applications, employment in sensitive roles, and legal proceedings. 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.

If you're 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 certificate, issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), confirms whether you have any disclosable criminal history in Australia.

Common AFP Police Checks and Their Codes in Australia

Code 32: Immigration Detention Centre Employment

This AFP Police Check applies when an individual is applying for a position within an immigration detention centre in Australia. The position could be within a detention facility or another service linked to immigration detention. The application for a National Police Check (NPC) with Code 32 is a mandatory requirement for individuals seeking employment in this field.

Offences Released:

• Unspent offences will be disclosed.
• Offences involving violence (such as assault, manslaughter, etc.) will also be disclosed if permitted by State/Territory law. This includes crimes such as physical violence or other violent criminal acts.

This check ensures that individuals working in these sensitive roles have a background free from violent or serious criminal activity that could compromise safety or security within an immigration detention environment.

Code 33: Immigration/Citizenship – for Supply to the Department of Home Affairs

This AFP Police Check is used when a National Police Check is required for immigration or citizenship purposes in Australia. Specifically, it is used for applications where the check will be supplied to the Department of Home Affairs as part of an immigration or citizenship process.

Offences Released:

• All Commonwealth offences will be disclosed. This includes federal-level criminal offences under Australian law.
• Other State/Territory offences will also be released as legislation permits in the relevant jurisdiction.

This check is generally required for individuals applying for Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or certain visa types, as the Department of Home Affairs needs to assess the applicant's criminal history as part of the immigration process.

 Code 35: Overseas Visa - Supply to a Country Other than Australia

This AFP Police Check is used when an individual requires a National Police Check (NPC) as part of their visa application for a country outside Australia. This code applies to individuals applying for a visa to live, work, or travel in a foreign country and must provide a police check as part of the immigration or visa process.

Offences Released:

• The check will disclose all Commonwealth offences.
• It will also include other State/Territory offences as allowed by the legislation in the relevant jurisdiction.

This AFP Police Check is particularly relevant for individuals applying for visas to countries that require a police clearance for entry, residency, or employment purposes. The police check will cover any criminal history from Australian federal and state/territory levels, depending on the country’s visa requirements.

If you are uncertain whether your overseas visa requires Code 35 or need clarification, contact AuthNTick for more guidance.

Code 40: Other Commonwealth Purpose ONLY

This AFP Police Check applies to National Police Checks (NPC) that are requested for purposes related to the Commonwealth Government but do not fall under the specific categories listed under other codes. If your role or requirement is not related to particular Commonwealth purposes like immigration, aged care, financial services, or overseas visa applications but still needs to be linked to a Commonwealth Government role or activity, you would select Code 40.

Code 41: Overseas Employment - General Employment

This AFP Police Check is used for individuals seeking a National Police Check (NPC) as part of their application for general overseas employment. This code is specifically for those applying for jobs outside of Australia and requires a police check as part of their employment process.

Offences Released:

• The check will disclose all Commonwealth offences.
• It will also include other State/Territory offences as permitted by legislation in the relevant jurisdiction.

This code is used for overseas jobs that don’t fall under specific categories, such as teaching, aged care, or working with children, but still require a police check to be employed in another country.

If you’re unsure, contact AuthNTick for further guidance.

Code 45: Overseas Employment - Nursing, Hospital Employment

This AFP Police Check is used for individuals seeking a National Police Check (NPC) as part of their nursing or hospital employment. This code applies to those pursuing jobs in the healthcare sector outside of Australia, specifically in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare-related settings.

Offences Released:

• The check will disclose all Commonwealth offences.
• It will also include other State/Territory offences as permitted by legislation in the relevant jurisdiction.

This code is tailored for healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff, who need a police check for employment in a hospital or healthcare setting abroad.

For example, this code could be used for:

• Employment within a Commonwealth Department or Agency that doesn't fit other specific NPC purposes.
• Other legal or regulatory purposes as determined by the Commonwealth.

Offences Released:

• The check will disclose unspent offences.

If you're unsure whether your purpose qualifies under Code 40, it’s recommended to contact our National Police Check Help Desk at contactus@authntick.com.au for clarification on your specific case.

Why Choose AuthNTick for Your AFP Police Check?

When obtaining an AFP police check for immigration, choosing the right vendor can save you time and hassle. AuthNTick is the best provider for AFP police certificates in Australia because:

• Fast Processing Times – We streamline the application process to ensure you receive your certificate quickly.
• 100% Secure & Compliant – We adhere to strict security protocols and data protection regulations to keep your information safe.
• Expert Support – Our team can guide you through the application process and help you avoid common mistakes.
• Seamless Online Experience – Our user-friendly platform makes it easy to apply for your police check from anywhere in Australia.
• Trusted by Individuals & Businesses – Whether you need a check for personal or employment purposes, we are a trusted name in the industry.

For a fast and reliable AFP police check for immigration, ensure you apply correctly to avoid delays.

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