Applicants may have to submit fingerprints and certain personal information to request the criminal record check, and the police or government agency may charge a fee.
As in many countries, determining the validity periods of police certificates is often neither mandated nor noted in any legislation.
In Australia, individuals can request a police check which itemizes disclosable court outcomes.
Businesses can request a police check on the applicant behalf A person may be required to present a Police Clearance Certificate as part of employment screening, as a pre-requisite for volunteer work, as preparation for a court appearance, to apply for a visa to enter/stay in some countries, or to satisfy a statutory requirement.
In some cases, Commonwealth agencies such as the Department of Immigration and Border Protection only accept police checks issued by the AFP if used in support of citizenship or immigration-related decisions.