National Police Check in the NT: SAFE NT cost and what care employers accept
National Police Checks from SAFE NT in October 2026: $92, or $17 for registered volunteers, apply online, and what Aged Care, Disability and Childcare accept.
On this page
In the Northern Territory, National Police Checks (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks) are run by SAFE NT within NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services. A check costs $92 from 1 July 2026, or $17 for registered volunteers with a statement from their organisation. The certificate is posted on security paper. It has no set expiry; Aged Care accepts a National Police Check issued within the last three years.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | SAFE NT (NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services) | pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Official name | National Police Check (SAFE NT) | pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Validity | No set validity. Where no law applies, the employer decides how often employees update their check | pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Cost (employment) | $92 (effective 1 July 2026) | pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Cost (volunteer) | $17 for registered, unpaid volunteers with an organisation statement | forms.pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Processing time | Check with SAFE NT (NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services) | Not confirmed |
| Renewal | No renewal: apply for a new check. Under the Aged Care Rules a National Police Check issued within the last 3 years is accepted, in every state and territory | health.gov.au |
| Scope | National: the check searches police records across Australia through the ACIC's National Police Checking Service, whichever police agency or accredited body submits it | acic.gov.au |
| Apply or renew | Apply online through SAFE NT | forms.pfes.nt.gov.au |
| Status check or register | Check with SAFE NT (NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services) | Not confirmed |
| What an employer must do | Aged Care: hold, for every worker and responsible person, a National Police Check not older than 3 years (assessed for certain offences) or an NDIS Worker Screening Check | health.gov.au |
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 (NT)
- Apply online through SAFE NT, which is the fastest route, or with the paper form. Applications by email or fax are not processed.
- Provide at least two identity documents totalling 100 points, including one photo ID and one showing your current address, signature and date of birth.
- Pay $92. Registered volunteers pay $17 when the organisation completes the volunteer statement, dated no more than three months before you lodge. Student placements pay the employment fee.
- Choose the purpose carefully: it cannot be changed once the certificate is issued, and fees are not refunded.
- The certificate is posted to you on paper with security features.
When you need a newer check
- A National Police Check does not renew. When an employer needs a more recent one, apply for a new check.
- An additional copy costs $35 within three months of the original issue date, or $8 for a volunteer certificate.
- 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 Screening Check (NT), also processed by SAFE NT, 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 Ochre Card (NT), which carries its own criminal history assessment.
- Set a policy on how often employees update their check where no law sets one: SAFE NT leaves that to the employer.
What is specific to Northern Territory
- SAFE NT runs National Police Checks, NT Ochre Cards and NDIS Worker Screening Checks in the Territory.
- A student placement does not count as volunteering for the reduced fee.
- Checks for citizenship, residency or visas go to the AFP.
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 SAFE NT. 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
How much is a police check in the NT?
SAFE NT charges $92 for a National Police Check from 1 July 2026, or $17 for registered volunteers whose organisation completes the volunteer statement.
Can students on placement get the NT volunteer police check fee?
No. SAFE NT says a student placement does not qualify as volunteer status, so it needs an employment application and fee.
How long is an NT police check valid?
SAFE NT sets no validity period. Where no law applies, the employer decides how often to update it. Aged Care accepts a National Police Check not older than three years.
Do I need a police check for childcare work in the NT?
Child-related work needs an Ochre Card, the NT Working with Children Clearance, which is also processed by SAFE NT.
Related
- Do you need a new police check for a new care job?
- National Police Check in every state and territory: the comparison table
- Ochre Card (NT) in Northern Territory
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (NT) in Northern Territory
- Teacher registration (NT) in Northern Territory
- Glossary: National Police Check
- Which worker check do I need?: pick your sector, role and state
Sources
- https://pfes.nt.gov.au/SAFENT
- https://pfes.nt.gov.au/file/download/37276
- https://pfes.nt.gov.au/file/download/17323
- https://forms.pfes.nt.gov.au/safent/Apply.aspx?App=CHC
- https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/aged-care-worker-screening-guidance-material_0.pdf
- https://www.acic.gov.au/national-police-checking-service/find-out-more-information/how-service-works
- https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care-workforce/screening-requirements
This is general information, not compliance advice. Always confirm requirements with the relevant regulator, and remember that providers keep the legal responsibility to sight credentials and decide who can work.
We work hard to keep everything accurate, and our compliance engine keeps up with the rules as they change. Even so, we might get a detail slightly wrong or miss something. No one's perfect. If you think something here needs updating, email us at resources@koora.care. We would genuinely rather know, because we all do better when we help each other get it right.
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