Overseas police certificates for an Australian visa
If you've lived outside Australia, Home Affairs may ask for a police certificate from each country you spent time in. Here's who usually needs one, and how to plan for it.
Many Australian visa and citizenship applications include a character check. If you've spent time living or travelling outside Australia, that usually means providing a police certificate from each country you spent significant time in, not just an Australian one.
Who usually needs one
For visa applications, the Department of Home Affairs generally asks applicants aged 17 or over for a police certificate from each country where, since turning 16, they spent a total of 12 months or more, counted cumulatively over the last 10 years. Home Affairs can also request a certificate in other cases.
If you've spent 12 months or more in Australia over the last 10 years, you'll usually also need an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check.
For citizenship, applicants aged 18 or over may be asked for overseas police certificates as part of the good character requirement.
Always follow the instructions for your own application. If Home Affairs asks you for a certificate, provide it.
Why it can take time
Every country runs its own process. Depending on the country, you may need to:
- apply through a police authority, a court or a government online portal
- provide fingerprints, which can often be taken in Australia
- apply through that country's embassy or consulate
- prove your identity and past addresses
- wait several weeks, sometimes longer, for the certificate to be issued and posted
Home Affairs publishes country-specific instructions for how to apply. Check them early, because a certificate that takes months to arrive can hold up an otherwise complete application.
If the certificate isn't in English
Provide the original and an English translation. In Australia, the translation should be done by a translator accredited by NAATI. See documents not in English for what the translation must include.
How we can help
We can coordinate overseas police certificates from Australia: confirming the process for the country involved, preparing the application, guiding you through any fingerprint step, and tracking it through to delivery. Every request is assessed first, and you get a written quote before anything starts. Tell us what you need.
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Character, evidence of (visa and citizenship applications)
- Department of Home Affairs — Character requirements for visas
Checked against these sources on 23 October 2026. They describe official requirements; our own service arrangements are described separately on our service pages.
Related
General information only — not legal advice. Requirements change and the receiving authority's instructions always take priority. Apostille Express is an independent service and is not affiliated with DFAT, any embassy or any overseas authority.