National Police Check in SA: cost, timing 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 (SA)

1. Complete the PD267 National Police Check application form, online and printed or by hand. Forms are also available at police stations.
2. Gather 100 points of original identification plus photocopies for certification.
3. Take the form and documents to a police station or a Justice of the Peace, who witnesses your signature, certifies your identification and completes the authorisation section.
4. Pay the fee at a South Australian police station: $82, or $59 concession. Volunteers of organisations without a VOAN pay $52; VOAN volunteers who work with vulnerable groups pay nothing.
5. Allow up to 15 working days from when the SAPOL Information Release Unit receives the application.

When you need a newer check

1. A National Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History 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 (SA), 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 (SA), which carries its own criminal history assessment.
• Volunteer organisations that work with vulnerable people can apply for a VOAN so their volunteers' checks are free. The scheme does not cover paid staff.

What is specific to South Australia

• Volunteer checks are free for organisations holding a Volunteer Organisation Authorisation Number. The organisation must be incorporated, provide a charity or community service, and have volunteers with regular one-on-one contact with, or record access for, vulnerable people such as children, the aged or people with disability.
• SAPOL points out that a National Police Check is simply a record of proven court outcomes, while the DHS Working with Children Check includes a risk assessment specific to children. SA law requires the DHS check for most work with children.
• The application is witnessed and authorised in person by a police officer or a Justice of the Peace.
• For aged care in South Australia, the Aged Care Sector Employment Check, issued under South Australian screening law, can be used in place of a National Police Check.

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 South Australia 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 (SA) in South Australia
• NDIS Worker Check (SA) in South Australia
• Teacher registration (SA) in South Australia
• Glossary: National Police Check
• Which worker check do I need?: pick your sector, role and state

Sources

• https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/apply-for-a-police-record-check
• https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/fee-schedule
• 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