How Long Is a Police Check Valid?
Police checks in Australia have no fixed expiry date, reflecting only the criminal history at issuance. Organisations typically require checks issued within 3 to 12 months, depending on their policies. Confirm requirements before applying.
There is no fixed expiry date for a police check in Australia — an NCCHC is a point-in-time document reflecting your history on the day it was issued. In practice, the organisation requesting it sets the recency rule, commonly 3 to 12 months.
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No fixed expiry date
There is no nationally legislated expiry date for a police check. An NCCHC is a point-in-time document — it reflects your criminal history as at the date it was issued.
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Employer and industry rules
- 3 months: Many employers only accept a check issued within the last 3 months.
- 12 months: Some industries and licensing bodies accept checks up to 12 months old.
- Ongoing: Some roles require renewal annually or every 2–3 years.
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Applying again
If your certificate is no longer current enough, submit a new application at any time through your account. Previous certificates can be requested to be resent within 3 months from the date of issue.
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Always confirm the requirement
Before applying, confirm the recency requirement with the organisation requesting the check — it avoids unnecessary reapplication.