How to obtain a police and character clearance report from Australia
Under the Australian Privacy Act, the Australian High Commission in Singapore cannot obtain confidential information on Australian citizens or residents of Australia from any Australian police force. Only the person him/herself may obtain this information directly from the relevant state, territory or federal police force.
Australians abroad often need police or character certificates for such purposes as court requirements, residence permission or securing employment. Australian Citizens requiring such certificates should contact the appropriate Australian Federal, State or Territory Police Force.
The type, cost and application forms required for clearance certificates vary from state to state. Any State or Territory in Australia will be able to provide at least one of the following certificates:
- Certificate issued on the basis of fingerprints;
- Certificate issued on the basis of a name check; and
- National Police Clearance Certificate.
Australian Citizens seeking to obtain any form of clearance certificate should be advised that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra could issue a National Police Clearance Certificate that covers criminal records in all states and territories, except Queensland. The AFP has advised that this certificate is acceptable in all countries. Further information can be obtained on the AFP website. You should confirm that the requesting local authority would accept this certificate.
ACT
Criminal Records - National Police Check
AFP Criminal Records
Locked Bag 8550
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Tel: + 61 2 6102 6102
Email: [email protected]
NSW
The Criminal Records Section
Mailing address:
Locked Bag 5102 Parramatta
NSW 2124
Tel: + 61 2 8835 7888
Fax: + 61 2 8835 7193
E-Mail: [email protected]
VIC
Criminal Records Section
Public Enquiry Service
GPO Box 919
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Tel: + 61 1300 881 596
Email: [email protected]
NT
SAFE NT
PO Box 39764
WINNELLIE NT 0821
Tel: + 61 1800 723 368
email: [email protected]
SA
Information Services Branch
Records Release Unit
South Australia Police
GPO Box 1539
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Tel : + 61 8 7322 3347
Fax: + 61 8 7322 4180
email: [email protected]
QLD
The Manager Police Information Centre
Queensland Police Service
GPO Box 1440
BRISBANE QLD 4000
Tel: + 61 7 3364 4666
Email: [email protected]
TAS
Criminal History Services
Tasmania Police
GPO Box 308
HOBART TAS 7001
Tel: +61 3 6173 2928
Email: [email protected]
WA
WA Police
Information Release Centre
Locked Bag 35
Perth Business Centre
WA 6849
Tel: + 61 131 444
Email: [email protected]
Please note an application for a National Police Clearance Certificate contains various options. It would be in your interests to make direct contact with the police force, to which you will be applying for the certificate, to ensure that your application meets the necessary requirements and delays in processing may be minimised.
If you require a certificate based on fingerprints, you should make your own arrangements with the local police force to have your fingerprints taken. Please note that these certificates will only be issued on the basis of original fingerprint records being provided to the supplying police force in Australia. Photocopies and faxes of fingerprint records are not acceptable.