An Australia Post police check is one of the most common requirements you’ll encounter during a visa application or migration process in Australia. Whether you’re applying for a partner visa, employer-sponsored visa, or responding to a character-related concern from the Department of Home Affairs, a National Police Check (NPC) is almost always part of the paperwork.
At HECT Migration & Appeal Experts, we regularly assist clients whose visa applications involve character assessments or who are responding to visa cancellation notices under sections 116 or 501. A valid police check is often a critical piece of evidence in these matters, and getting it right the first time saves both stress and precious time.
This guide walks you through how to apply for a police check through Australia Post, what identity documents you’ll need, the costs involved, and which online portals apply to your state. We’ve also included practical tips to help you avoid common mistakes that can delay your application.
What an Australia Post police check is
A National Police Check (NPC) is an official document that discloses any disclosable court outcomes held in Australian criminal history records. When you apply through Australia Post’s online portal, you are using a nationally accredited channel that submits your request directly to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). The result is a certificate that either lists relevant criminal history information or confirms there is nothing to disclose.
Australia Post is one of the most widely used accredited bodies for National Police Checks because of its accessibility and trusted national infrastructure.
Who issues the check and what it contains
Australia Post does not conduct the background check itself. Instead, it acts as an accredited body under the ACIC, which means it collects your identity documents and application details, then submits the request on your behalf. The ACIC holds the national database that stores criminal history information from police agencies across every state and territory.
The certificate you receive will either show disclosable court outcomes (convictions, findings of guilt, or pending charges) or return a "no disclosable court outcomes" result. It does not include spent convictions in most cases, though the rules on spent convictions vary by state.
Why Australia Post is a common choice for visa applicants
For migration purposes, an NPC must typically come from an ACIC-accredited organisation. Many visa applicants choose the Australia Post police check pathway because it is straightforward, available entirely online in most states, and accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. You can complete the application from within Australia or, in some cases, from offshore, which makes it a practical option for both onshore and offshore applicants managing active visa matters.
Step 1. Confirm what you need before you apply
Before you open the Australia Post police check portal, take a few minutes to confirm that a National Police Check is exactly what your situation requires. Different organisations and visa categories may specify particular check types, and applying for the wrong one means starting the entire process again from scratch.
Check the purpose category required
The Australia Post online application asks you to select a purpose category for your check, such as employment, volunteering, or migration. Your requesting organisation (for example, the Department of Home Affairs) may specify which category to select, so confirm this before you begin. Selecting the wrong category can cause the receiving organisation to reject your certificate outright.
If you are applying for a visa or responding to a character assessment, confirm the exact purpose category with your migration agent or the requesting body before you proceed.
Confirm whether an NPC or an AFP check is required
Some visa applications specifically require an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check rather than a standard NPC. Check your visa grant conditions, sponsorship requirements, or any refusal letter carefully to confirm which type of check applies to your situation before you pay and submit.
Step 2. Get your identity documents ready
The Australia Post police check application uses a points-based identity verification system. You need to reach 100 points using accepted identity documents before your application can proceed. Gathering these documents before you open the portal saves you from abandoning a partially completed application.
Collect all your identity documents before opening the portal, as incomplete applications are not saved and you will need to restart.
Understanding the points system
Australia Post requires you to submit documents that total at least 100 points. Your documents fall into different point categories, and each carries a set value. The table below shows common documents and their point allocations:
| Document | Points |
|---|---|
| Australian passport or foreign passport | 70 |
| Birth certificate | 70 |
| Australian driver’s licence | 40 |
| Medicare card | 25 |
| Change of name certificate | 25 |
Documents you cannot use
Not every form of identification is accepted under the ACIC framework. Expired documents are not valid, and photocopies or digital-only copies will not meet the requirements. You must also verify your current residential address using at least one of your submitted documents, so confirm this before you begin rather than discovering the gap mid-application.
Step 3. Apply online through Australia Post
Once you have your documents ready, go to the Australia Post police check portal. The portal differs slightly by state, so confirm which URL applies to your location before you begin. For most applicants, the process runs through the ACIC-accredited platform accessible directly from the official Australia Post website at auspost.com.au.
Use only the portal linked from the official Australia Post website to avoid third-party sites that may charge inflated fees.
Complete the online form
The application form asks for your personal details, including your full legal name, date of birth, and current residential address. You will also need to select your purpose category and verify your identity documents through the portal’s built-in verification tool. Work through each field carefully, because errors in your name or date of birth can trigger a manual review and add several days to your processing time.
Pay the application fee
Standard fees for a National Police Check through Australia Post sit at approximately $42.00 for individuals, though pricing can vary depending on the purpose category you select. You pay by credit or debit card during the online application. Keep your payment confirmation email, as it includes a reference number you will need if you have to follow up on your application status.
Step 4. Get your result and handle delays
After you submit your australia post police check application, most results come back within 24 to 48 hours. However, applications that require manual review by the ACIC can take up to 15 business days, particularly if your name matches records in the national database or your identity documents need additional verification.
Reading your result
Your result arrives by email as a PDF certificate. The certificate contains several key pieces of information:
- Your full legal name and date of birth
- The purpose category you selected
- A result showing either disclosable court outcomes or no disclosable court outcomes
Download and save the PDF immediately, as access links can expire and you may need to reapply if the link is no longer active.
What to do if your check is delayed
Contact Australia Post customer support directly if your application has not returned a result after 15 business days. Use your reference number from your payment confirmation email to follow up on the status of your submission.
If a delay is affecting a visa deadline, contact your migration agent immediately rather than waiting for the check to resolve on its own.
Delays are most common when there is a name discrepancy or date of birth mismatch between your submitted documents and records held in the ACIC database.
What to do after you get your certificate
Once you have your australia post police check certificate, submit it to the requesting organisation as soon as possible. Most organisations require a certificate issued within the last 12 months, so do not hold onto it longer than necessary before submitting. Check the submission method the organisation requires, whether that is a direct email, an online portal upload, or a physical copy.
Store a secure digital copy of your certificate in a location you can access quickly. You may need it again for a separate employer, sponsoring body, or future visa application within the validity window.
If your certificate shows disclosable court outcomes and you are managing an active visa matter, do not wait to take action. Character-related issues in migration decisions carry strict deadlines and can have serious consequences for your visa status. Contact our team today to discuss your situation and your options through a free visa appeal consultation.
