How to obtain a police certificate

Australia

Do I need to provide a police certificate when applying for permanent residence?
Yes.

Which Australian police clearances are acceptable?

Applicants must provide a full fingerprint and name check. Certificates can be obtained through the Australian Federal Police (recommended) or the local state police authority.

Applicants who do not reside in Australia must obtain this certificate through the Australian Federal Police.

State-issued certificates are acceptable where the certificate is based on a fingerprint and name search of the National Databases.

Please note that all applicants who resided or still reside in: Queensland, Victoria or Western Australia, must also submit a Traffic History printout, which may be obtained by contacting the local State Transport/Traffic branch. A visa file number, if available, should be endorsed on the certificate.

How and where do I obtain one?

The following form is required: Australian Federal Police National Police Check (NPC) Application Form.

Applicants may obtain the form for the Australian Federal Police check at:

Criminal Records – National Police Check
Australian Federal Police
Locked Bag 8550
Canberra City  ACT 2601
Australia
Telephone from Australia: (02) 6202-3333
Telephone from elsewhere: +61 2 6202-3333
Website: www.afp.gov.au

IMPORTANT: When filling out the Australian Federal Police National Police Check (NPC) Application Form, enter Code Number 35 in section 1 (Purpose of NPC).

Where does the police send my police certificate?

The police certificate is to be sent to the office processing your application for a Canadian visa. If your visa application is being processed by the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney, Australia, the police certificate is to be sent to the following address:

Immigration Section
Consulate General of Canada
Level 5 – 111 Harrington Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

If your application is being processed by another Canadian mission overseas or by an office in Canada, enter the postal address of that office at section 4 of the Australian Federal Police National Police Check (NPC) Application Form.