What is an AFP Police Check?

An AFP Police Check is a national police check issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Like a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), it reports on criminal history recorded in Australia. The difference is who issues it and what it is used for.

Who needs an AFP check?

The AFP provides checks for:

• immigration, visa, overseas employment and citizenship
• people living or working in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Jervis Bay Territory and external Commonwealth territories
• people seeking employment with the Commonwealth Government, or who need a check under Commonwealth legislation
• applicants who live outside Australia
• overseas adoption

Some industries also have their own rules that call for an AFP check. If you are not sure which check you need, ask the organisation that requested it.

How is it different from an NCCHC?

• Who issues it: an AFP check is issued by the AFP. An NCCHC is processed through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) by accredited bodies such as Worker Checks.
• What it is used for: an AFP check is for the purposes listed above. An NCCHC is the check most employers, volunteer organisations and licensing bodies ask for.
• ID: the AFP uses a 100-point ID system. An NCCHC needs three documents, one from each of three groups.

In most cases, such as for a job, an NCCHC is what you need. Worker Checks returns 80% of NCCHCs within 1–3 minutes. Some go to manual review, which can take longer, sometimes several weeks.

Compare the two: NCCHC vs AFP check – what’s the difference?

How to apply for an AFP check

Worker Checks doesn’t currently offer AFP checks. You can apply directly with the Australian Federal Police.

The AFP website explains how to apply, the fees and the ID it accepts. Before you start, make sure the name and date of birth on your ID documents match what you enter on your application.

ID guide: What ID is required for an AFP Police Check?

Need an NCCHC instead?

If your employer has asked for a national police check, you can apply online with Worker Checks for $52.00. See Which police check do I need? or chat with us between 7am and 7pm.