What is an AFP police check for a visa?
An AFP police check for a visa is a National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police, requested under Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship, and it is the only Australian police certificate Home Affairs accepts, according to its “Character requirements” page, updated 25 September 2026.
Police certificates are not automatically required from everyone. The same Home Affairs page says they are usually requested if you are over 17 and have lived in a country, including Australia, for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
How to apply for an AFP check with Code 33
To apply for an AFP check with Code 33, use the AFP’s National Police Checks service online and select Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship as the purpose, as directed by Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page.
Firstly, apply online with the AFP through its “National Police Checks” page.
Secondly, select Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship, the purpose specified on Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page.
Thirdly, check the disclosure type. For an 858, Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page accepts only complete-disclosure AFP certificates, not standard-disclosure certificates.
Fourthly, pay the applicable fee. The AFP “National Police Checks” page lists $57, or $114 with fingerprints, as at 3 October 2026. The supplied guidance does not establish when fingerprints are needed for your circumstances.
Fifthly, receive the certificate and upload it with your visa application. Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page lists police certificates among the application documents.
How much does an AFP police check cost, and how long does it take?
An AFP police check costs $57, or $114 with fingerprints, and most digital certificates arrive within a few days online, while fingerprint checks take 15 to 30 business days, according to the AFP “National Police Checks” page as at 3 October 2026.
Both fees are GST-exempt. The AFP’s timing describes most digital certificates, not a guaranteed delivery date; distinguish that estimate from the longer fingerprint-check range when planning your requests.
Overseas police certificates for an Australian visa
Overseas police certificates for an Australian visa are usually requested for each country where you lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, according to Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page.
Check the age rule for your visa. The general character page says “over 17”; the National Innovation visa page counts residence since turning 16.
Check whether a Department letter is needed. The National Innovation visa page says some countries issue certificates only after receiving a Home Affairs letter, which the Department provides after you apply.
Record the issue date. Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page gives certificates a validity of 12 months from issue.
Supply translations where necessary. The National Innovation visa page requires both originals and translations of non-English documents.
There is no single overseas ordering procedure. This guide does not set out country-by-country issuing requirements.
Police certificates for an 858: the 12-months-in-10-years rule, from age 16
Police certificates for an 858 follow one rule from age 16: an AFP complete-disclosure certificate if you have spent 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years, and a certificate from each other country where you have spent 12 months or more in that period, according to Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page, updated 4 September 2026.
Complete disclosure only: the Home Affairs visa page does not accept standard-disclosure AFP certificates.
Include military records where applicable: the same page lists them with police certificates.
Separate character eligibility from document requests: the page applies the character requirement to applicants and family members aged 16 or over, including non-migrating family. It does not explicitly establish that every non-migrating family member must supply police certificates.
Plan requests around lodgement: because Home Affairs provides some country letters only after application and certificates last 12 months, the practical order of requests depends on both requirements.
The important distinction is the starting age: use the visa page’s “since turning 16” rule, rather than substituting the general character page’s “over 17” wording.
How long is a police certificate valid for a visa?
A police certificate is valid for a visa for 12 months from the issue date, according to Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page, updated 25 September 2026.
That period applies to AFP and overseas police certificates. Check each certificate separately: obtaining them at different times produces different expiry dates.
The character test behind police certificates
The character test behind police certificates is reflected in Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4001 under clause 858.221 of the Migration Regulations 1994; Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page says applicants and family members aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement.
After you apply, Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page says it may request Form 80, with Form 1563 or a military certificate. Form 80 is completed by applicants aged 16 or over as requested by the processing office, and covers 10 years of address and international travel history.
Under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958, the Minister may refuse a visa to someone who does not pass the character test; a delegate’s refusal is reviewable under section 500 rather than section 338.
Military service records
Military service records may be requested for 12 months or more of service: Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page identifies a military certificate and Form 1399.
Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page also lists military records alongside police certificates. Treat these as a separate document category when checking what you need to supply.
Police certificates and the other 858 character requirements
Police certificates and the other 858 character requirements sit together at the decision stage: PIC 4001 character under clause 858.221 of the Migration Regulations 1994, PIC 4020 integrity under clause 858.227 where applicable, and immigration history considered by Home Affairs.
Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page says Form 80 or Form 1221 may be required, and a previous visa cancellation or refusal is considered and may make an applicant ineligible.
Under the Migration Act 1958 section 5(1) definition, a police certificate reasonably suspected by the Minister to have been obtained through a false or misleading statement could itself be a bogus document, whether or not the statement was knowingly made.
Alongside certificates, arrange the visa medical for Australia as required and consider the broader 858 visa health, character and values requirements when preparing an 858 visa application.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AFP police check for immigration cost?
The AFP “National Police Checks” page lists $57, or $114 with fingerprints, as at 3 October 2026.
How long is an AFP police check valid for immigration?
Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page states 12 months from the issue date.
Can I use a state police check for my visa?
No. Home Affairs’ “Character requirements” page accepts only the AFP National Police Check, requested under Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship.
Does my 16-year-old need a police certificate for an 858?
Not simply because they are 16. Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page counts qualifying residence since turning 16; the character requirement applies to family members aged 16 or over.
How do I get a police certificate from a country that needs a letter from Home Affairs?
Apply for the visa first. Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa page says the Department provides the letter after the application is made.
Ask an Australian migration lawyer to identify the countries and family members requiring certificates, check the complete-disclosure requirement and 12-month validity window, and request any required Home Affairs letter before ordering. The Home Affairs National Innovation visa and “Character requirements” pages provide the requirements for those checks.