Police check information for all Australian States (with links)

[turtlegirl 6]

There is a lot of confusion about police checks in the different states, and the information on the Embassy website is inaccurate, especially the prices and the forms. You can find the correct information by clicking through the links but it's sometimes hard to find, so I thought I would put it all into one place to make it easier for people to find what they needed. I also included the link to where I got the information from, just to be thorough.

Also, ALL police checks for immigration require a fingerprint background check. This is not currently stated on the Embassy website, but it is stated when you get the information from the Embassy (Packet 3 for the K1)

Here are the direct links to what each state wants:

NSW: uses the AFP check: http://www.police.ns...records_section which can be found here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

Queensland information is here: http://www.police.ql...ase/polcert.htm and it too is different from the info posted on the main page.

ACT uses the AFP check here: http://www.afp.gov.au/ per the main page http://canberra.usem...e_cert.html#act ignore the fee listed, it's wrong on there.

WA uses the AFP check: http://www.afp.gov.au/ per the main page http://canberra.usem...ce_cert.html#wa

Victoria uses the AFP check: http://www.police.vi...Document_ID=274 which can be found here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

Tasmania: http://www.police.ta...-record-checks/ says that the local police checks cannot be used for Australian immigration (they are for jobs, registration, etc) so you need to do them through the AFP here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

[SherryandDaniel 4]

Very nice of you turtlegirl. I think it will really help others out in the future!

[Phillary 45]

So if my Packet 3 information doesn't specifically mention that I need fingerprints;

7. POLICE CERTIFICATES/RECORDS: Each visa applicant aged 16 years or over is required to submit a police certificate from the police authorities of each locality of the country of the applicant’s nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of sixteen. Police certificates are also required from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year. A police certificate must also be obtained from the police authorities of any place where the applicant has been arrested for any reason, regardless of how long he or she lived there. Police certificates must cover the entire period of the applicant’s residence in any area. A certificate issued by the police authorities where you now reside must be of recent date when presented to the consular officer. The term “police certificate” as used in this paragraph means a certification by appropriate police authorities stating what their records show concerning each applicant, including all arrests, the reasons for the arrests, and the disposition of each case of which there is a record. In Cambodia, the police certificate is issued by the Ministry of Justice at No 240, Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh. For other countries, please go to

then should I bother?

The reply from the US Embassy was contact the Australian Embassy. Bit strange considering the visa is for the US?!?!?!

The AFP website states "Fingerprint checks may only be conducted where there is a legal or regulatory requirement for such a check to be conducted " so it does seem to be a grey area...

[SherryandDaniel 4]

It might be different in Cambodia. I don't think anyone in this forum would know. Have you tried asking in your own region's forum?

[Phillary 45]

I'm checking here because I am an Aussie, just living in the 'bodge. Isn't it funny how for the same nationality, depending on where you live, where you're applying, different things can apply for the same end-goal!

[darkwingduck 0]

South Australia misses out again?

[turtlegirl 6]

South Australia misses out again?

Oops! I was doing it late at night. I will find that one out and add it! Sorry!

[turtlegirl 6]

There is a lot of confusion about police checks in the different states, and the information on the Embassy website is inaccurate, especially the prices and the forms. You can find the correct information by clicking through the links but it's sometimes hard to find, so I thought I would put it all into one place to make it easier for people to find what they needed. I also included the link to where I got the information from, just to be thorough.

Also, ALL police checks for immigration require a fingerprint background check. This is not currently stated on the Embassy website, but it is stated when you get the information from the Embassy (Packet 3 for the K1)

Here are the direct links to what each state wants:

NSW: uses the AFP check: http://www.police.ns...records_section which can be found here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

Queensland information is here: http://www.police.ql...ase/polcert.htm and it too is different from the info posted on the main page.

ACT uses the AFP check here: http://www.afp.gov.au/ per the main page http://canberra.usem...e_cert.html#act ignore the fee listed, it's wrong on there.

WA uses the AFP check: http://www.afp.gov.au/ per the main page http://canberra.usem...ce_cert.html#wa

Victoria uses the AFP check: http://www.police.vi...Document_ID=274 which can be found here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

Tasmania: http://www.police.ta...-record-checks/ says that the local police checks cannot be used for Australian immigration (they are for jobs, registration, etc) so you need to do them through the AFP here: http://www.afp.gov.au/

South Australia: http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/information_requests/police_checks.jsp for people residing in SA, and AFP check for those who are not http://www.afp.gov.au/

Updated to add South Australia! Sorry about that! I couldn't edit my original post. I should know better too!

Edited August 3, 2013 by turtlegirl