Character

All applicants aged 16 and over require a penal clearance if they are applying for permanent entry to Australia, and most other applicants require a clearance if their stay in Australia will exceed 12 months. Some applicants whose stay in Australia will be for less than 12 months may also be required to provide a clearance. Applicants aged under 16 are not generally required to provide a police clearance.

Countries for which clearance is required

Applicants required to provide a penal clearance must provide a clearance for each country in which they have resided for 12 months or more (either consecutively or cumulatively) during the 10 years immediately prior to their visa application and since reaching the age of 16.

How to obtain a clearance

Applicants should refer to Form 47P for instructions on how to apply for clearances from various countries. Applicants should bear in mind that processing times vary considerably and should apply in a timely manner. Those requiring a UK penal clearance may wish to take into account that the processing time is around 49 days. The London office is unable to expedite penal clearances as these are solely the responsibility of the relevant processing agency.

See: Form 47P Character requirements penal clearance certificates
See: Australian Police Records Check - Form 1101

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