AFP National Police Check for Visa Applications: What Applicants Need to Know

If you are preparing a visa application, you have probably noticed how long the document list can get. One item that catches many people out is the police certificate. For time spent in Australia, that usually means an AFP national police check. Applicants often aren't sure what it covers, how to apply, how long it takes or how long the result stays acceptable.

This guide explains when you may need an AFP check, how an AFP police check visa application works, what affects AFP check validity and how it differs from the checks employers use in pre-employment screening.

When Do You Need an AFP Police Check for a Visa?

An AFP police check visa requirement comes from the character test: Home Affairs assesses applicants against the character requirement, and police certificates are one of its main tools. As a general guide, you may be asked for a police certificate from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in total over the last 10 years, counted from age 16. If that includes Australia, the Australian certificate is an AFP check.

Requirements vary by visa subclass and personal circumstances. Always confirm what Home Affairs expects for your application, or ask a registered migration agent.

Which Australian Police Check Does Home Affairs Accept?

Not every police check can be used for a visa, and this is a common source of delays.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) explains that a police check is a point-in-time result and is not suitable for reuse across different purposes. A check completed for a job cannot simply be reused for a visa.

How Does the AFP Check Process Work?

Most applicants follow these steps:

1. 
   

   Confirm the requirement: Check what Home Affairs has asked for under your visa subclass.

2. 
   

   Select the correct purpose: Choose Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship – for supply to the Department of Home Affairs when applying for an AFP National Police Check for immigration or citizenship purposes.

3. 
   

   Provide your details: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, plus any other names you have used.

4. 
   

   Verify your identity and consent: Supply identity documents and give informed consent for the check.

5. 
   

   Receive and submit your certificate: Once issued, include it in your visa application or provide it when Home Affairs requests it.

Applicants can apply for an AFP check directly through Makesure's online application process. Makesure is an accredited provider that facilitates AFP checks, allowing applicants to complete their application online, submit the required identity documents and follow the progress of their check. Once the check is complete, applicants receive their result through the applicable delivery process.

What Information Do You Need to Apply?

Exact requirements can vary by application, but applicants generally need:

• ✓Full legal name: Matching your current passport.
• ✓Previous names and aliases: Maiden names, anglicised names or any other names you have used.
• ✓Date of birth and current address: Entered accurately, as small errors can slow a check down.
• ✓Identity documents: Clear copies of the required documents.
• ✓Consent: Informed consent to run the check.

Fingerprints are generally not required for a standard online AFP check, although some situations may call for them.

How Long Does an AFP Check Take?

The processing time for an AFP National Police Check can vary depending on the details of the application. While some checks are completed within a few hours, others may take several business days or longer if additional review is required.

AFP Check Validity: How Long Is Your Result Good For?

AFP check validity depends on who is asking. ACIC describes a police check as a point-in-time check. It reflects police records on the date the result is released and does not capture anything that happens afterwards. An AFP certificate has no universal expiry period; the organisation requesting the check determines what period it will accept.

For Australian immigration applications, the Department of Home Affairs generally accepts police certificates for 12 months from the date of issue, subject to the requirements of the particular visa or application. This does not mean the certificate itself automatically expires after 12 months. Home Affairs may ask for a new certificate if your circumstances or application requirements make one necessary. To manage AFP check validity well:

• ✓Time it carefully: Avoid applying so early that the certificate may no longer meet Home Affairs' requirements when it is assessed.
• ✓Keep the issue date in view: Note when your certificate was issued and when your visa may be decided.
• ✓Confirm with Home Affairs: Rules can differ between visa types, so verify the current position for yours.
• ✓Don't reuse for other purposes: A visa check is not a substitute for an employment check.

What If Your AFP Check Shows a Record?

A criminal record does not automatically mean a visa refusal. Home Affairs assesses disclosed history against the character requirement, and the outcome depends on the nature of the offence, the sentence and your circumstances. In some cases you may be given a chance to respond.

How Does an AFP Check Fit Into Pre-Employment Screening?

Many visa applicants are also preparing to start work. That is where the AFP check meets pre-employment screening. An AFP check is issued for specific purposes such as immigration. Employers hiring staff usually use a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for employment, often alongside other checks. Together, these form a wider employment and identity check process:

For employers sponsoring or hiring migrants, running these checks through one platform can reduce duplication and keep records consistent. Because criminal history is sensitive information under the Privacy Act 1988, employers should also have clear processes for collecting, storing and disposing of it.

Ready to Apply for Your AFP Check?

Getting your AFP National Police Check right the first time can help avoid unnecessary delays in your visa application. Makesure provides AFP checks for visa clearance and pre-employment screening, with local Australian support and online progress tracking.

If you need an AFP National Police Check for your Australian visa or citizenship application, apply directly through Makesure to get started. Complete the online application, provide the required identity documents and ensure you select Purpose Code 33 for immigration or citizenship purposes.

Before applying, make sure you understand the requirements for your visa or intended purpose, including the correct check type and supporting identity documents. Providing accurate information from the beginning can help keep the process on track.