On this page:
- About national police checks
- What a national police check can be used for
- Types of national police checks
- Before you apply
- National Police Check
- Apply online
- Apply via post
- National Police and Fingerprint Records Check
- How to apply
- Overseas applicants
- Interstate applicants (National Police Check only)
- National police check processing times
- Fees and charges
- Contact us
About national police checks
A national police check is a national criminal history check. Victoria Police or Service Victoria conduct the check for use in Victoria.
To apply for a national police check, you will need to:
- meet certain identity requirements
- and pay a processing fee.
As a result of the check, you will receive a National Police Certificate.
What a national police check can be used for
Employers, organisations and regulators may request that you provide a National Police Certificate. You will receive a certificate as a result of a national police check.
The national police check can help determine your suitability for:
- employment
- volunteer work and student placement
- occupation-related licensing and registration.
Types of national police checks
Victoria Police offers two types of national police checks:
- National Police Check (previously known as a National Name Check)
- National Police and Fingerprint Record Check.
If you are not sure which type of national police check you need, ask the organisation or person who is requesting the National Police Certificate.
Before you apply
To apply for a national police check you will need to provide three identity documents, including one photo ID:
-
We need at least two of the following:
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian passport – current or expired less than three years ago
- Australian driver licence or learner permit
- Foreign passport linked to a valid Australian visa
- ImmiCard
- Australian marriage certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate.
And one of the following:
- Medicare card
- Australian driver licence or learner permit — if you didn’t use it as your first ID
- Australian passport — if you didn’t use it as your first ID.
The names on your documents must match. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide a:
- marriage certificate, or
- change of name certificate.
National Police Check
A National Police Check is usually requested by employers or organisations who require a National Police Certificate. This may be for employment or volunteering purposes, such as:
- legal admissions
- administration assistants
- nursing or student placement.
Apply online
To apply for a National Police Check online, you must:
- meet certain identity requirements
- provide certain ID documents electronically for verification
- pay the application fee by credit or debit card
- use a smartphone to complete the application
- allow at least 25 minutes to complete.
As a result of the online National Police Check you will receive a National Police Certificate (PDF) via email. You will receive this in line with National Police Check processing times.
Check eligibility and apply for a national police check online
Apply via post
Apply for a national police check by post using the following steps if:
- you do not meet the criteria to apply
- the names on your ID documents do not match, and you do not have a change of name certificate or marriage certificate, or
- you would prefer to apply by post.
Step 1: Complete application form and identity documentation requirements
- Complete the VP820B Consent to Check and Release National Police Records application . Select ‘National Name Check’ (now known as a National Police Check) as the type of check required in Section A.
If you are applying for the purpose of volunteer work or student placement, the organisation must complete Section E with Community Volunteer Fee (CVF) details so that you qualify for a reduced application processing fee. - Print your completed application form.
- Find an appropriate witness to certify a copy of your identification documents (refer to the application for a list).
- Sign and date the application form in front of that same person.
- Have that person sign and date each copy of your proof of identity documents (worth 100 ID points) and the application form.
Step 2: Make a payment and mail paperwork
- Pay online or attach a cheque or money order with the required National Police Check application fee.
- Attach all the paperwork including payment (or the online payment reference number on the application form).
- Mail to the address listed on the application .
Step 3: Receive your National Police Certificate
As a result of the check you will receive a National Police Certificate via post in line with National Police Check processing times.
National Police and Fingerprint Records Check
The National Police and Fingerprint Records Check is for specific licences or types of employment. Examples include:
How to apply
Apply for a National Police and Fingerprint Records Check using the following steps.
Step 1: Complete application form and identity documentation requirements
- Complete the VP820B Consent to Check and Release National Police Record application . Select ‘National Name and Fingerprint Records search’ (now known as a National Police and Fingerprint Records Check) as the type of check required in Section A.
- Print your completed application form.
- Find an appropriate witness to certify a copy of your identification documents (refer to the application for a list).
- Sign and date the application form in front of that same person.
- Have that person sign and date each copy of your proof of identity documents (worth 100 ID points) and the application form.
Step 2: Fingerprinting
Once you have completed your application form:
- Book a fingerprinting appointment to have Livescan fingerprints taken electronically.
- Bring your application form and certified identification documentation to the appointment when you have your fingerprints taken.
- Pay for your National Police and Fingerprint Records Check when you attend your appointment.
Step 3: Form submission
After your fingerprints have been taken and payment made, a Victoria Police employee will:
- Complete Section A of the application form, and
- Forward it, along with your identification and payment, to the Public Enquiry Service for processing.
Step 4: Receive your National Police Certificate
As a result of the check, you will receive a National Police Certificate via post in line with National Police Check processing times.
Overseas applicants
If you live overseas or need temporary or permanent residency or citizenship, you must apply for a national police check via the Australian Federal .
Interstate applicants (National Police Check only)
If you're going to work or volunteer interstate, you must apply for a national police check from that state or territory.
Interstate applicants can apply online for a National Police Check for use in Victoria for the following purposes:
- Bus accreditation
- Casino licence
- Employment/contractor with Corrections Victoria
- General employment
- Legal admission
- Gaming licence
- Honorary Justice
- Poppy industry.
Check eligibility and apply for a National Police Check .
National police check processing times
We recommend that you allow sufficient time for processing and return by post before enquiring about your application.
Your police check may take longer than expected if information is required from interstate police jurisdictions.
As a result of a national police check, you will receive a National Police Certificate (PDF) via email (if you applied online through Service Victoria) or a physical certificate via post (if you applied by post), based on the following processing times:
| Type of check | Processing time |
| National Police Check | Allow a minimum of 10 business days from the date you apply. |
| National Police and Fingerprint Records Check | Allow a minimum of 20 business days from the date you submit your application and have your fingerprints taken. |
Fees and charges
For information about costs to apply for a national police check, including reduced fees for volunteer organisations and student placements, visit our fees and charges page.
Contact us
Get in touch about police checks or fingerprinting through our online enquiry form.
Reviewed 25 October 2023