When applying for a police check, it’s important to understand the difference between national and police checks. Both are used to check the criminal history of individuals, but which one you require depends on the purpose and type of organisation.
Both types of police checks check the same information. They provide a record of criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, and traffic violations that lead to convictions.
What is a National Police Check?
A National Police Check (NPC) is the most common background check in Australia. A National Police Check examines an individual’s criminal history in all state and territory police records and those from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). Individuals seeking a National Police Check usually require it for one of these reasons:
- Employment
- Volunteering
- Positions of trust
- Occupational licensing
How to Get a National Police Check?
Getting a National Police Check with InterCheck is straightforward. We offer a fast and secure online check accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). InterCheck uses secure state-of-the-art technology to access a nationally coordinated database and verify your identity quickly.
The process for individuals seeking a National Police Check with InterCheck is simple. Apply online using your mobile or desktop and complete the online form. You will need to verify your identity using four different identity documents, including one with a current photograph.
- 1 x Commencement of identity document, e.g. a full Australian birth certificate, current Australian passport
- 1 x Primary Use in the Community Document, e.g. current Australian driving licence
- 2 x Secondary Use in the Community Documents, e.g. Medicare card, bank card, credit card
Cost and Processing Time
InterCheck offers two types of National Police Checks.
- Standard national police check at $64.90 (inc. GST)
- Volunteer national police check at $34.90 (inc. GST)
Once we have received all of the required documents and your police check application has been submitted by you, we will process and submit it to the police checking services.
Most applications are processed and returned within 1-2 business days, but some may take 3-12 business days or longer. We are reliant on the police to process applications and cannot fast-track the process.
What is a Federal Police Check?
An Australian Federal Police Check (AFP) shows an individual’s criminal history from all databases of state and territory jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Australia. The Australian Federal Police conduct this police check. It is usually required for:
- Commonwealth and government employment
- Immigration
- Visa applications
- Overseas adoption
- Overseas employment
How to Get a Federal Police Check?
Applying for an AFP police check is simple. You must complete the AFP application form, which can be completed online or via a postal application.
- Complete the online application form with your personal details.
- Verify your identity with 100 points of identification with a combination of primary and secondary documents.
- If applying online, you can pay by Mastercard, Visa or American Express, or by money order or bank cheque for postal applications.
Occasionally, applicants for an AFP police check must provide fingerprints as a requirement for their application. This will include some immigration cases and Australian governmental agencies. These AFP checks take longer to process and cost more than a standard AFP police check.
Differences in Cost and Processing Time
The processing time for AFP checks is similar to that of National Police Checks. Most AFP police check applications are processed in 48 hours. However, it may take longer if the AFP requires additional information from other police jurisdictions. Applications with fingerprints can take 15 to 30 business days.
AFP police checks are slightly cheaper than a National Police Check.
- Standard AFP check costs $56.00
- AFP check with fingerprints costs $113.00
Key Differences Between National and Federal Police Checks
Both the National (NPC) and Federal (FPC) police checks investigate the criminal background of individuals but are conducted by different law enforcement organisations. State and territory police agencies conduct an NPC check and review criminal histories using state and territory databases and the ACIC. The Australian Federal Police conduct an FPC check and review criminal histories using federal, state and territory databases.
The main difference between the two checks is the reason for applying for each check. The NPC is the most common and is used for employment, volunteering, and positions of trust. The FPC is used for immigration, visas and positions requiring high levels of security clearance.
Scope of Coverage
Both National and Federal Police Checks in Australia will show the same criminal history information wherever you live in Australia. Each state and territory has laws to limit the release of spent convictions, mostly after ten years for adults and five years for offences committed as a minor under 18. However, in industries such as aged care, teaching and firefighting, there are exclusions from the laws in some states. In those cases, spent convictions or certain types of offences (e.g. sexual offences) are shown on a national police check.
Federal Police Checks use databases in all Australian jurisdictions but are subject to Commonwealth laws. Spent convictions are not shown if they occurred ten years or more ago, you weren’t sentenced to prison for more than 30 months, you haven’t reoffended, and there isn’t a statutory exclusion.
Use Cases and Applicability
An individual working in banking or finance in junior roles, such as a bank teller, requires a National Police Check to maintain integrity and trust for customers. Managers in senior roles in any financial institution will need a Federal Police Check for a comprehensive background check to verify their criminal history and check their suitability for leadership roles.
An individual volunteering in a school or community organisation requires a National Police Check to ensure they are trustworthy and don’t have a criminal record.
FAQs on Police Checks
How to apply for a national police check?
Apply online at InterCheck and complete the application form. Upload your identity documents for verification and pay by debit or credit card.
How long is a Federal Police Check valid for?
The AFP does not specify how long a police check is valid. Some organisations will only accept an FPC check completed in the last three months, while others accept them up to 12 months. You may be required to get an annual FPC check in some industries. NPC checks are generally valid for three months.
Conclusion
InterCheck Australia provides a secure online portal for individuals who require a National Police Check for employment, positions of trust or volunteering purposes. Start your National police check now.
