National Police Check in NSW: timing, verification and what care employers accept

Key facts (as of October 2026)

Fees and processing times change, most often once a year. The source column links to the official page each value was checked against in October 2026.

How to apply: National Police Check (NSW)

1. Check you are eligible: NSW Police checks are for permanent residents of NSW aged 14 or over. If you live elsewhere, apply in your own state or territory.
2. Apply online at police.nsw.gov.au/npc under the Individual tile, or accept an invitation from a registered organisation.
3. Choose two identity documents from the lists in the application. They are verified through the Document Verification Service, and a third document is needed if manual verification is required.
4. Most results are ready within an hour. Allow up to 10 business days. If fingerprints are needed, you are emailed a letter asking you to attend a police station.

When you need a newer check

1. A National Police Check does not renew. When an employer needs a more recent one, apply for a new check.
2. For Aged Care, apply before your current check is three years old, or hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check instead and you will not need a National Police Check.

What employers must do

• Aged Care: hold either a National Police Check not older than three years or an NDIS Worker Screening Check for every worker and responsible person, and assess the check result for the offences that stop someone working for a registered provider (murder, sexual assault, and assault that led to imprisonment).
• Disability (NDIS): a risk-assessed role at a registered NDIS provider needs the NDIS Worker Check (NSW), which checks national criminal history and work misconduct history. A worker who holds it does not need a National Police Check for Aged Care either.
• Childcare: child-related work needs the Working with Children Check (NSW), which carries its own criminal history assessment.
• Verify a NSW Police certificate online: anyone holding a copy can check that it is genuine at any time.

What is specific to New South Wales

• Anyone holding a copy of a NSW Police certificate can verify its authenticity online at any time.
• Registered organisations can invite applicants through the NSW Police portal.
• Checks for citizenship, visas or travel go to the Australian Federal Police.

What Koora checks

Reviewed. Koora reviews a National Police Check the worker uploads: a person looks at the check result when the worker shares their Career Passport or a provider requests access, or across an organisation's own records where Crew is attached. Koora does not verify an uploaded check with NSW Police. The compliance engine records the issue date, so a provider can see when a check passes the three-year age Aged Care accepts.

Your team reviews each credential in Koora, or Crew does it for you. The provider keeps the legal responsibility for who they engage.

Frequently asked questions

Related

• Do you need a new police check for a new care job?
• National Police Check in every state and territory: the comparison table
• Working with Children Check (NSW) in New South Wales
• NDIS Worker Check (NSW) in New South Wales
• Teacher accreditation (NSW) in New South Wales
• Glossary: National Police Check
• Which worker check do I need?: pick your sector, role and state

Sources

• https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-national-police-check
• https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au/resource/Quick_Reference_Guide_Individual_Applicant
• https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/aged-care-worker-screening-guidance-material_0.pdf
• https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care-workforce/screening-requirements