The Australia police certificate is issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Australian citizens are required to provide an Australia police certificate when applying for a work visa, study visa, overseas immigration, and permanent residence.
The validity period of the report is not stated on the Australia police certificate, but the Chinese government generally requires the police certificate to be issued within 6 months, and the Australia police certificate beyond 6 months will not be accepted and needs to be reapplied.
Types of Australia Police Certificate
Australia Police Certificate is generally requested through the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and there are two types of police certificate to choose from, both covering the entire territory of Australia.
- Name-based background check, name-based police clearance certificate can be requested online.
- Fingerprint-based background check, fingerprint-based application for no criminal record certificate can only be submitted by mail, as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) requires a fingerprint card in hard copy format and does not accept electronic fingerprint submission.
Sample of Australia Police Certificate issued by AFP
Documents Required for Australia Police Certificate
- Scanned copy of the applicant’s passport page
- Scanned copy of an Australian citizenship card or driver license
- Residential addresses of applicant for the past 10 years.
Processing time for Australia Police Certificate
Most National Police Checks are completed and posted within 48 hours of the AFP receiving the application. Name and Fingerprint National Police Checks may take 15-30 business days as the fingerprints you supply need to be examined by AFP Forensic services.
Apostille or Consular legalization of Australia Police Certificate
Apostille and Authentication are two certification types provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
We can help you to request both apostilles and Consular authentication certificate for a variety of documents to individuals, companies to be used out of Australia.
The country in which the document will be used determines the type of certificate needed.
- An apostille is for documents to be used in member countries of the Hague.
- Consular authentication certificate is for documents to be used in Non-Hague Convention countries and is only valid in the specific destination country.
The documents required for Apostille or consular legalization of the Australia police certificate are as follows:
- Application form for legalization.
- Original and copy of police certificate.
- Copy of the applicant’s passport, and the valid residence status in Australia is also required.
Process and time of Apostille or Consular Legalization
Apostille Process
- Get it certified / notarized by the Australia Notary Public or lawyer.
- Get it Apostilled at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Consular Legalization process
- Get it certified / notarized by the Australia Notary Public or lawyer.
- Get it authenticated at t the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
- Get it legalized at Embassy/Consulate of the destination country where the documents to be used.
Processing Time for Apostille and Consular Legalization
In general, it takes 5 business days for apostille service, and 15 working days to apply for the consular legalization of police certificate, not including the mailing time.