Character and Penal Clearance Requirements
Important – Change of National Police Check application form
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) advise that a new application form for requesting National Police Checks (NPCs) has been introduced.
See: Change of National Police Check Application Form
On this page
What is the character requirement?
Everyone who wishes to enter Australia must be assessed against the character requirements.
Meeting the character requirement for temporary and permanent migration
For the Australian Government to determine whether you are of good character, you may be asked to provide police certificates for each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last ten (10) years since turning 16.
If you are applying outside Australia, you do not have to provide this information when you apply. You will be advised when it is required.
If you are applying in Australia, you should provide this information with your application.
Instructions for providing character-related information are included in the health and character section of the Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family booklets which are available from this website
Subject to availability, you can obtain a printed copy from a migration office in Australia or overseas for a minimal cost.
Meeting the character requirement for Australian citizenship
Applicants for Australian citizenship are also responsible for showing they are of good character.
Instructions for providing character-related information for Australian citizenship are available with the application forms and also on the citizenship website.
See: Citizenship website
Penal clearance requirements
In order for the Australian Government to determine whether you are of good character, you may be asked to provide a penal clearance certificate. These certificates are also known as a police certificate in some countries.
Instructions on obtaining a certificate from an overseas government or law enforcement authority are available in the following document.
See: Character Requirements Penal Clearance Certificates (283KB PDF file) (formerly known as Form 47P)
Character-related information
Fact Sheet 79 - The Character Requirement
Form 80 Character assessment, personal particulars (280KB PDF file)
National Police Checks > Application forms - Note: Applicants who are required to provide an Australian penal clearance certificate must complete the National Police Check application form which is available from the Australian Federal Police website.