If you’re looking to obtain a background check, it’s important to understand the difference between a National Police Check (NPC) and an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check. Both types of checks are used to verify an individual's criminal history, but they are used for different purposes and may be required by different types of organisations.
Crim Check is a leading provider of NPC and AFP police checks in Australia, with expertise in helping individuals and businesses obtain the background checks they need. Whether you're an individual applying for a new job or an employer looking to hire new employees, Crim Check can provide you with fast, accurate, and reliable background checks to help you make informed decisions. Continue reading for more information on the different types of police checks, how to apply, how long they take to receive, how long they remain valid, and the associated costs.
A national police check is a check of an individual's criminal history across all jurisdictions in Australia. It includes information from state and territory police records, as well as from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). This type of check is often required for employment, volunteering, or occupational licensing. For example, many jobs in the healthcare, education, and financial services industries may require a national police check as part of the application process.
Applying for a National Police Check through Crim Check is a simple and straightforward process. Simply visit our website and fill out the online application form with your name, date of birth, and contact information. You will need to verify your identity according to our Identity Requirements, which requires you to provide copies of four valid documents, one of which must contain a current photograph of yourself.
Crim Check accepts payment for National Police Checks by credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Once your payment has been processed, your application will be processed as quickly as possible, and you will be notified when the check is complete.
It’s important to note that you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or you must have lived in Australia for the past ten consecutive years to be eligible for an NPC.
The turnaround time for a National Police Check can vary depending on the time it takes to verify your identity. Typically, most checks are completed within 5-10 business days, but in some cases, it may take longer.
The validity period of a National Police Check varies depending on the purpose for which it is being used. In general, most employers or organisations will accept a National Police Check that is less than 3 months old. However, as an NPC is a snapshot of an individual's criminal history at the time it is conducted, any criminal activity that occurs after the check is completed will not be reflected in the results. Therefore, some employers and organisations may be required to re-check the criminal history report of their employees or volunteers on a semi-regular basis, as per their policies.
The approximate cost for a National Police Check at Crim Check is $44.95. However, this is subject to change, and pricing can vary depending on whether you are applying as an individual or on behalf of a business. Contact us to confirm the current cost and any additional fees that may apply.
We also recommend checking with your prospective employer to determine whether they cover the cost of NPCs as part of the recruitment process.
An Australian Federal Police Check (AFP) is a check of an individual's criminal history specifically in relation to Commonwealth offences in Australia. This type of check is conducted by the Australian Federal Police, and is used to verify an individual's criminal history for certain types of employment, such as those in government, law enforcement, and other sensitive positions. It will reveal if the individual has been convicted of any Commonwealth offences, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or fraud.
To apply for an AFP police check, you must fill out the online application form provided by the Australian Federal Police. You will need to verify your identity according to their Identity Requirements, which requires you to provide at least 100 points of identification through primary and secondary documents.
The Australian Federal Police accepts payment for AFP Checks via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. For manually completed applications, you may also pay via bank cheque. Once your payment has been processed, your application will be processed as quickly as possible, and you will be notified when the check is complete.
Visit the AFP website for more information on eligibility.
The turnaround time for an AFP check can vary depending on the time it takes to verify your identity. Typically, most checks are completed within 5-10 business days, but in some cases, it may take longer.
The validity of an AFP Check is not specified by the Australian Federal Police, and is thus up to the employer or organisation that requests it to determine the time frame that the check is considered valid. Some organisations only accept AFP Police Checks that have been completed within the last 3 months, while others may accept checks that are up to 12 months old. In some cases, you may be asked to update your AFP Check annually, or according to your employer’s policies.
The standard cost for an AFP Police Check is $42, but additional fees apply when fingerprints are supplied.
We recommend checking with your prospective employer to determine whether they cover the cost of AFP Checks as part of the recruitment process.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Checks and National Police Checks (NPC) are both background checks used to determine an individual's criminal history, but they are conducted by different organisations and cover different information.
An AFP Police Check is conducted by the Australian Federal Police and is used to check for any criminal history that is recorded by the AFP and other federal law enforcement agencies. This type of check is often required for positions that require a high level of security clearance.
An NPC, on the other hand, is conducted by state and territory police agencies and is used to check for any criminal history that is recorded by the police in those jurisdictions. An NPC is used for a wide range of purposes, including employment, volunteering, occupational licensing, and immigration. This type of check covers criminal history information from all the states and territories of Australia.
Are you in need of a police check for a job, volunteer position, or another important opportunity? With Crim Check’s easy online application process, validating your identity and obtaining your National Police Check has never been more convenient.
You can find all the information you need to complete your police check application on our website, along with the answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you need further assistance, contact our customer support team.
Trust CrimCheck to handle your NPC, so you can focus on what's important. Apply for a National Police Check as an individual or a business owner today!
"I have been using CrimCheck for some years now and I have had nothing but great service from the system and staff. I would recommend CrimCheck to anyone wanting an efficient, user-friendly service."
Andrea, St. Luke's Anglicare
