Police Checks for Australian Visas: AFP vs Overseas PCC & Validity Rules

What Is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A police clearance certificate (PCC), sometimes called a police check or penal certificate, is an official document issued by a country's law enforcement authority. It lists any criminal convictions, charges, or in some cases, spent convictions that appear on your record.

For Australian visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs uses PCCs to assess your character under the character requirements of the Migration Act 1958. Most visa subclasses require applicants (and often their family members aged 16 and over) to provide character evidence.

AFP National Police Check vs Overseas PCC

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check

If you are currently in Australia or have lived in Australia, you will typically need an AFP National Police Check.

Requirement	Details
Type	Code 33 (for immigration/citizenship purposes)
Provider	AFP-accredited body (online) or directly via AFP
Processing	1-15 business days (online faster)
Cost	Approximately $50-60 AUD
Validity	12 months from date of issue

WARNING

You must request a Code 33 check specifically. A standard police check (for employment purposes) is not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs and will result in delays.

Overseas Penal Clearance Certificate (PCC)

If you have lived in any country (other than Australia) for 12 months or more since turning 16, you will generally need a PCC from that country.

Country	Issuing Authority	Typical Processing Time
Taiwan	National Police Agency (內政部警政署)	1-2 weeks
United States	FBI (fingerprint-based)	8-14 weeks
United Kingdom	ACRO Criminal Records Office	2-4 weeks
Philippines	NBI (National Bureau of Investigation)	1-3 weeks
India	Passport Seva Kendra or Embassy	4-12 weeks
China	Local Public Security Bureau or Embassy	Varies widely

TIP

Start your overseas PCC applications early. Some countries (like the US FBI check) can take months. A registered migration agent can advise on the correct process for your specific country.

The 12-Month Validity Rule

All police clearance certificates-whether AFP or overseas-are generally valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

IMPORTANT

Your PCC must still be valid when you lodge your application and ideally when the Department makes a decision. If your PCC expires during processing, the Department may request a fresh one.

For visa applications with longer processing times (such as partner visas or parent visas), plan ahead:

Apply for your AFP/PCC no earlier than needed
For partner visa applicants, consider waiting until closer to lodgement or when requested
Keep all your PCCs organised-you may need to provide updated versions later

Name Variations and Legal Names

One of the most common issues causing delays is name discrepancies. Your PCC must cover all names you have ever used.

Situation	What You Need
Name changed after marriage	PCC showing both maiden name AND married name
Different spelling on passport vs birth certificate	PCC covering all spelling variations
Used English name + Chinese name	PCC should cover both names where possible

NOTE

In Taiwan, police checks can usually accommodate both your Chinese legal name (戶籍姓名) and any English name on your passport. Ensure you request this when applying.

If a country's PCC cannot show all name variations, you may need to provide additional documents such as a name change certificate, statutory declaration, or official translation.

Who Needs to Provide Police Checks?

Applicant Type	Requirement
Primary applicant	Always required
Secondary applicants (partner, children) aged 16+	Required
Children under 16	Generally not required
Dependants not migrating with you	May still be required if included in application

For skilled visa pathways (189, 190, 491), employer sponsored visas, and partner visas, all applicants aged 16 and over must provide character evidence.

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays

Mistake	Consequence
Requesting wrong AFP check type (not Code 33)	Re-application required; delays
Forgetting a country where you lived 12+ months	Additional evidence request; delays
PCC expires before decision	Fresh PCC required
Name variations not covered	Potential refusal or s.56 request
Old address on AFP check	May need statutory declaration

WARNING

If you've ever been charged with (even if not convicted of) a criminal offence, you should seek professional advice before lodging. Certain offences can result in character concerns or refusal.

How to Apply for an AFP Code 33 Check

While the application process is straightforward, you must use an AFP-accredited provider and select the correct purpose code:

Visit an AFP-accredited online provider
Select "Immigration / Citizenship" or Code 33
Provide 100 points of ID (passport, driver's licence, etc.)
Declare all names, aliases, and previous addresses
Pay the fee (approximately $50-60 AUD)

A registered migration agent can guide you through the process and ensure you select the correct options to avoid rejection.

How First Migration Can Help

Character requirements and police clearance rules can be confusing, especially if you've lived in multiple countries or have complex circumstances. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents can: