NPC Frequently asked questions  PDF (34kb) Q: What is a National Police Certificate (NPC)? A: A NPC provides a national summary of an individual's offender history. It is generally requested by organisations as one part of their process to ensure the integrity of their staff or volunteers. Q: Is there an age limit to obtain a National Police Certificate (NPC)? A: No. If you are under sixteen years of age your guardian will be required to counter sign the application as well. 
Q: What will show on my NPC? A: The NPC will be prepared in accordance with SAPOL policy. Interstate offences will be released in accordance with that State or Territory's spent conviction/rehabilitation legislation and policy. Information that may be considered for release includes the following: Person information - identification data such as name, date of birth, aliases, previous names.
- addresses
Offender History Information - charges
- the court outcome of the charge(s) together with the dates, court and any sentence imposed
- pending matters
Other Information - specific departmental records
- outstanding warrants
- paedophile restraining orders
- other restraining orders
- diversions
- cautions
- expiable matters
Intelligence-type information is not released. SAPOL is unable to release traffic history from some states and territories. This information can be obtained upon application to: - QLD Licence Searches, Department of Transport GPO Box 2451 Brisbane QLD 4001 at a cost of approximately $15.85. Cheques or money orders are to be made payable to Queensland Transport.
Q: Who owns this NPC? A:This certificate is the property of the applicant and as such should be retained by you (the applicant) regardless of who paid for it. It is your responsibility to ensure it is safely stored. It is not recommended that this document be copied, but can be with your consent. The content should be summarised into an organisation's records to record the recruitment process. If you have any concerns please let us know, our phone number is listed above. Q: Why do I need to provide proof of identity? A:SAPOL takes its responsibilities in respect of protecting the community from crime and disorder, and information release very seriously. To ensure that we meet our obligations an applicant for a NPC is required to establish their identity via the check process. If copies of these documents are not attached, the application will be returned to you. If you are unable to meet the criteria on the application form - please contact the Records Release
Unit (RRU- see above) for advice on additional acceptable documents.
Q:How does an organisation obtain police checks for volunteers free of charge? A:The fee for volunteers is provided at no charge if the volunteer is in contact with vulnerable groups. All volunteers must not be receiving any payment for work (except out of pocket expenses), and the work must provide a charity or community service good. The cost for these 'eligible volunteers' is met by the South Australia Government. To be eligible for this fee waiver the organisation must be pre-approved by SAPOL and have received a Volunteer Organisation Authorisation Number (VOAN). The organisation must provide this authorisation number on every volunteer's NPC application form. Q: How long will it take to process my request? A:The standard timeframe to process a NPC is between 5-15 working days. This provides enough time for postage, and if there is an interstate match it provides time to verify any same or similar name matches and obtain local and/or interstate history. Q: I am obtaining a NPC for Taxi Accreditation purposes, who do I contact if I require the Certificate to be processed earlier? A:Please contact the Transport SA Regulatory Services on 8348 9610. They will then liaise with SAPOL to assist you further. Taxi drivers seeking permanent accreditation have up to 8 weeks notice, early lodgement will ensure that you receive your Certificate in time.
Q: Is this the correct form to complete when applying for registration as a teacher? A:No. Applications should be made via the Teacher's Registration Board. Q: Do I need to have my fingerprints taken to get a NPC? A:No, SAPOL checks identifying data and this is normally sufficient. You may however have special requirements such as a visa for overseas travel, employment or immigration, or your employer or regulatory body requires absolute identity checking. A NPC with fingerprints requires an additional charge not subject to any concessions (see Fees below) . You must ensure your fingerprint form is firmly attached to the NPC application form. SAPOL is unable to advise on visa requirements and will need to verify the requirements yourself. Q: Do I need a NPC for my visa application? A:SAPOL is unable to advise on visa or overseas travel requirements. Please check your visa requirements carefully as you may require a NPC prepared by the Australian Federal Police and you may also require fingerprints to be taken.
Q: What is the cost of a NPC? A:Fees are listed and may be adjusted annually in accordance with CPI. Fees are gazetted by the Government of South Australia. The fee is based on the average cost to produce a NPC based on staff time, fees charged by other organisations such as CrimTrac, consumables etc. Q: Am I eligible for the fee to be reduced? A:The cost of processing this request will be reduced if you meet one of the concession criteria. Q: If I require a refund, how do I apply for one? A:All applications for refunds must be made within 3 months from the lodgement date. Please forward your request in writing together with supporting documentation to the postal address listed above stating why a refund should be considered. Q: How long is my NPC valid? A:This depends on the policy of the organisation you are presenting your NPC to. There is a time lapse between the recording of convictions by courts and the updating of the criminal records data bases of police jurisdictions. This certificate only reflects the completeness and accuracy of these records and systems on the date of issue. Q: I am living interstate or overseas, can I apply for a NPC? A:No, National Police Certificates will only be prepared for those people who reside in South Australia. South Australian residents who may be living overseas should refer their request to the Australian Federal Police www.afp.gov.au or their email address vetting@afp.gov.au. Residents of other states should direct their enquiry to the police service of the state or territory in which they reside. Q: Can I apply for a NPC on behalf of someone else who lives in SA? A:You can only apply on behalf of someone if you hold Power of Attorney. Documents to verify this must be produced. A copy must be attached with the application. The original must be sighted by a SAPOL employee or equivalent. SAPOL permits someone else to collect your certificate, however, you must complete the application form yourself and identify the person collecting your certificate at the time you submit your application.
Q: How can I collect my NPC? A:You may request that the NPC is collected from any police station, mailed to your postal address or mailed to a third party. You must provide suitable identification at the time of collection. Having a NPC posted to you is undertaken at your own risk. SAPOL holds no responsibility for any loss or unauthorised access which may occur. You need to indicate on the form whether the NPC is to be sent to your postal or residential address. You may collect the NPC from Adelaide Police Station if it is urgently required. Someone else may collect a NPC for you, if you have signed a letter of authority or completed the third party collection section on the form. You are required to identify the person collecting your NPC on the application form, or you must provide them with a letter of authority. To ensure the security and privacy of your information, applicants are unable to vary to collection method after the form has been submitted. Q: What if the information on my NPC is incorrect? A:SAPOL provides the opportunity for the public to correct their records via mechanisms available under the Freedom Of Information Act. Please submit a PD361 - Application for Amendment of Personal Records form which is available from any Police Station. Please outline your concerns and provide a copy of the disputed evidence. Q: How can I obtain further information? A:Telephone or email the Records Release Unit. Q: What are the concession criteria? Concessions are available for people that meet the following criteria: - CurrentState concession card issued by FACS.
- Totally and permanently incapacitated disability pensioner.
- Receipt of Commonwealth unemployment or sickness benefits or State financial assistance.
- Holder of a student identification card issued under State Transport Authority Act 1974 or proof of full time student status.
- Holder of a current pensioner health benefits or concession card issued by the Commonwealth Government.
- Proof of financial hardship by providing evidence of receiving one of the following benefits from Centrelink not more than 4 weeks ago:- Crisis Payment, Special Benefit Payment, or Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
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