Apply for a National Police Certificate

An NPC can be delivered within minutes if submitted online and do not require further investigation, and within 15 working days for in person applications requiring postage.

Submit a National Police Certificate enquiry form if you are unable to meet the requirements of an NPC, have not received your NPC after 15 days or if there are any issues with the NPC once it arrives.

Applicants must provide suitable proof of identity, based on a 100-point identity check. You must provide original proof of identity - copies will not be accepted.

*Indicates ID documents that are acceptable via online applications. If you are unable to meet the identity requirements, you can contact us and depending on your circumstances the WA Police Force may be able to make an alternate arrangement:

Primary documents

Secondary documents

Only 1 secondary ID document will attract 40 points, subsequent secondary ID will attract 25 points per item.
Secondary ID with a photo will be accepted as primary ID but only attract the points listed in this table:

Q: What is a National Police Certificate?

A National Police Certificate (NPC) is a document that lists an individual's disclosable court outcomes and pending charges sourced from the databases of all Australian police jurisdictions. This includes traffic and non-police prosecuted matters.

Convictions, such as spent or certain juvenile convictions, may not be disclosed on a NPC in accordance with the legislation and policies of the various police jurisdictions.

National Police Certificates are commonly used for employment or licensing purposes. You should check with your employer or licensing body to confirm that a National Police Certificate is appropriate as some employers and licensing bodies use alternative screening processes.

Please note: If an application is made in error we are unable to provide a refund.

Q: When do I need a National Police Certificate?

National Police Certificates are commonly used for employment or licensing purposes. You should check with your employer or licensing body to confirm that a National Police Certificate is appropriate as some employers and licensing bodies use alternative screening processes.

Q: How much does a National Police Certificate cost?

Current fees can be viewed on the information access page. There are no discounts or concessions available.

Q: How long will it take to process my National Police Certificate application?

For online applications that require no further investigation, a National Police Certificate can be delivered in minutes to your Australia Post Secure Document Vault. You will be notified if your application is referred for investigation.

Online applications may take up to 10 business days to process if further investigation is required.

Further investigation may be required for the following reasons; confirmation of identity, common names, licenses or permits or other information from contact with police.

On limited occasions, this process can take longer due to the complexity of the check.

In circumstances where a hardcopy certificate is issued please allow an additional 3 – 6 business days for postage. If you have not received your certificate after 15 business days please contact us immediately.

Please Note: the WA Police Force cannot reissue a National Police Certificate over 3 months old.

Q: How can I check the progress of my National Police Certificate?

The timeframe for a National Police Certificate to be completed is 15 business days, please allow this period to elapse prior to contacting us for a status update. If you have not received your certificate within this timeframe please contact us immediately. Please note: the WA Police Force cannot reissue a National Police Certificate after 3 months.

The WA Police Force aim to provide a response within a single business day period. Depending on the details of your enquiry, the WA Police Force may need more time to conduct a proper investigation however you will be contacted and informed if this is the case.

Q: How long is a National Police Certificate valid?

A National Police Certificate is a point in time check. Certificates are current as of the date of issue therefore the WA Police Force imposes no period of validity. It is at the discretion of employers and organisations to deem if a certificate is current for their purposes.

Please Note: the WA Police Force cannot reissue a National Police Certificate over 3 months old. If you have not received your National Police Certificate after 15 business days contact us immediately.

Q: Who can apply for a National Police Certificate?

There are no specific restrictions except the ability to meet the application criteria. Applicants less than 15 years of age will need to have a parent/guardian sign their consent at the time of application.

Application criteria:

• Ability to meet identity requirements
• Australian residential and postal address.

Q: How do I apply for a National Police Certificate?

You can apply for a National Police Certificate online.

Online applications require online payment, ID verification and you will be asked to sign up for an Australia Post Secure Document Vault.

Q: Can I apply online?

Yes, you can apply online here.

Q: Can I apply at a police station?

No. Applicants can only apply for a National Police Certificate online.

Q: Can I make an application on behalf of someone else (family member, employee etc.)?

No. The applicant must complete the application and provide consent for the WA Police Force to produce a National Police Certificate.

Please note that the WA Police Force will not provide any information regarding an application or National Police Certificate to anyone other than the original applicant.

Q: Will staff at Australia Post outlets see my Criminal Record?

No. Australia Post outlets process your National Police Certificate application but are not involved in the screening process. This is conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the WA Police Force. Your personal information is always treated with strict confidentiality.

Q: Where can I obtain an application form?

National Police Certificate application forms are available online.

Q: How do I apply for a National Police Certificate while overseas?

An application can be made online while overseas as long as the following application criteria can be met:

• Ability to meet identity requirements
• Australian residential and postal address.

Q: Can I apply for a National Police Certificate via the WA Police Force while interstate?

Any individual can apply online through the WA Police Force website if they have an Australian postal address. If you are unable to verify your identity online through digital ID verification you will need to apply through the police within the state or territory in which you are residing.

Q: I am unable to meet the 100 point ID requirements to make an application, what do I do?

If you are unable to meet the identity requirements, you can contact us and depending on your circumstances the WA Police Force may be able to make an alternate arrangement.

Q: I need my Criminal record for Court, do I use a National Police Certificate?

No. A National Police Certificate is not suitable for court purposes as it only lists disclosable court outcomes and pending charges. You should seek independent legal advice if you require your criminal record for court. Production of your criminal record may be facilitated via summons, subpoena or disclosure rules depending on the type of court proceeding.

Q: How do I obtain my Traffic Convictions?

A National Police Certificate lists all disclosable court outcomes and pending charges, this includes criminal and traffic convictions.

To obtain a copy of traffic infringements, you need to apply for a Record of Traffic Infringement Notice.

Q: What do I do if I change my address before receiving my National Police Certificate?

The WA Police Force cannot send a National Police Certificate to an address not listed on the original application.

You will need to lodge a 'change of address notification' with Australia Post as a duplicate National Police Certificate will not be issued. Click the following link for more information about redirecting your mail.

Q: In what form will results be provided?

If you have made an online application and have no disclosable court outcomes or pending charges, you will receive a digital National Police Certificate which will be sent to your Australia Post Secure Document Vault. In addition you can request a hard copy to be posted to your nominated postal address.

If you have disclosable court outcomes and/or pending charges, applied in person or elected to have a hardcopy certificate this will be delivered to your nominated postal address.

Please note the WA Police Force cannot email copies of certificates. The hardcopy National Police Certificate is a document produced on security paper with a number of inbuilt security features.

Q: What security features are included in a National Police Certificate?

The online National Police Certificate can be viewed in your Australia Post Secure Document Vault or printed. The printed certificate does not contain the security features that the physical certificate does. The printed electronic certificate will have a barcode (or QR code) which can be verified by scanning it using the Australia Post app.

It is advised that employers/licensing bodies verify the printed electronic certificate as per the instructions on the application form.

The physical National Police Certificate contains a number of inbuilt security features:

• a watermark consisting of multiple images of a padlock with two keys which is visible when held up to the light.
• fluorescent tricolour threads on both sides of the document glow blue, yellow and red when held under ultra violet light.
• a border to the right of the police logos on the front of the document is printed in MICROTYPE which can be read when viewed under magnification.
• images on the front are printed in heat sensitive ink and, when moderate heat or friction is applied, they will fade or disappear momentarily.
• images printed in fluorescent ink and will glow yellow when viewed under ultra violet light.

It is advised that employers/licensing bodies always ask to see the original certificate.

If you have suspicion that a document may have been altered or any of these security features is not present please contact us immediately.

Q: What is included in a National Police Certificate?

A National Police Certificate lists your disclosable court outcomes and/or pending charges from all police jurisdictions, this can include traffic convictions, certain juvenile convictions and can include non-police prosecuted matters. The certificate will not include any restricted court outcomes, such as spent convictions.

Q: How do I dispute information contained on a National Police Certificate?

Applicants who wish to dispute information recorded on their National Police Certificate should write to the WA Police Force, Information Release Centre, Locked Bag 20, Perth Business Centre, WA, 6849, or contact us.

Applicants must specify the offences or information in dispute and be prepared to provide comparison fingerprints. We will notify applicants if comparison fingerprints are required. No additional fee will be charged if fingerprints are required to be taken.

Q: I have received my certificate but my name/date of birth is incorrect?

It is recommended that you verify the contents of your National Police Certificate as soon as it is received to ensure that all details are correct. If there is an error please retain the certificate and contact us immediately.

Please note the WA Police Force will not reissue certificates older than 3 months and any reissued certificate will retain the same reference number and the original date of issue.

Q: I have received my certificate however it has been damaged in the post, how do I arrange a replacement?

the WA Police Force will reissue a damaged certificate providing that the original is returned to the WA Police Force. To do this please contact us and a replacement of your certificate can be arranged.

Please note, the WA Police Force can only reissue your certificate within 3 months from the date of your application. The new certificate will retain the same reference number and the original date of issue.

Q: I have made an online application through an external service provider (not WA Police). How do I follow up on the progress of my application?

The WA Police Force only offer the National Police Certificate via the WA Police Force website. Any other service is not conducted by the WA Police Force and as such the WA Police Force are unable to provide any information in relation to the application or its progress.

You will need to contact the service provider with whom you lodged your original application in regards to the status or result of an application.

Q: Can I prioritise my National Police Certificate application?

No, the WA Police Force does not prioritise National Police Certificate applications. Please allow 10 business days for your certificate to be processed. In circumstances where a hardcopy certificate is issued please allow an additional 3 – 6 business days for postage. If you have not received your certificate after 15 business days please contact us immediately.

Q: Where will my National Police Certificate be sent?

Digital certificates will be sent to your Australia Post Secure Document Vault.

Hardcopy certificates will be sent to the postal / residential address nominated on your application.

Please note, the WA Police Force cannot email National Police Certificates.

Q: Can I have my conviction record destroyed/expunged?

No. There is no obligation for the WA Police Force to destroy any conviction record information at any time. However, you may be eligible to apply for a spent conviction. Having a conviction declared spent effectively limits the disclosure of that conviction. For example, a conviction which has been spent is not listed on a National Police Certificate.

For a conviction to be eligible to be declared spent, the conviction in question must be over 10 years old. In addition, the most recent conviction (which includes traffic and interstate matters) must be over ten years old or have a fine of less than $500.

A National Police Certificate application incorporates a request for the WA Police Force to spend any eligible WA Convictions. Alternatively, a separate, spent conviction application form can be submitted. For more information please visit the Spending a Conviction page.