These checks are recommended for roles relating to the Australian Federal government, eg. for immigration and visa applications, people applying for employment with the Commonwealth Government or roles in financial services, and those residing in the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory.
Standard information such as name, previous names, date/place of birth and contact information, along with identification documents totalling 100 points are required for this check. Ten years of residential address history in Australia is also required.
Both checks investigate criminal history by checking police records, but the AFP check is best for those applying for a role in the Commonwealth Government or in financial services, or people undergoing visa and immigration applications. They can also be used for people applying for employment overseas, or adoptions (including international adoptions). The Australian national police check is suitable for most other types of employment.
These are classed as 'point-in-time' checks, and are typically valid for 12 months, after which time an organisation may request a new check. An AFP check may not be used across different organisations, as the depth of the check may differ depending on the prospective role.
