National Police Check in Victoria: cost, timing and what care employers accept
Victoria Police checks in October 2026: $91.50 standard, $31.10 for volunteers, at least 10 business days, and what Aged Care, Disability and Childcare accept.
On this page
A National Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) from Victoria Police is a point-in-time search of police records across Australia, applied for online through Service Victoria. It costs $91.50, or $31.10 for eligible volunteers and students on placement, and takes at least 10 business days. It has no expiry, but Aged Care accepts a National Police Check no older than three years.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | Victoria Police | police.vic.gov.au |
| Official name | National Police Check (Victoria Police) | police.vic.gov.au |
| Validity | No set expiry: a point-in-time check that reflects police records up to its release. The organisation asking for it decides how recent it must be | police.vic.gov.au |
| Cost (employment) | $91.50 (GST exempt; fees rise each 1 July) | police.vic.gov.au |
| Cost (volunteer) | $31.10 for Victorian volunteers and students on placement, with a Community Volunteer Fee number | police.vic.gov.au |
| Processing time | At least 10 business days; at least 20 business days with fingerprints | police.vic.gov.au |
| 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 Service Victoria | police.vic.gov.au |
| Status check or register | No public verification service. Victoria Police advises viewing the original certificate or contacting the accredited body that submitted the check | police.vic.gov.au |
| 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 (VIC)
- Apply online through Service Victoria on a smartphone, allowing at least 25 minutes, or use the postal application form.
- Provide 100 points of identification. Online you need three documents, including one photo ID; a postal application needs certified copies.
- Choose the reason for the check carefully: a Victoria Police certificate can only be used for a single reason or job.
- Pay $91.50, or $31.10 if you are a volunteer or a student on placement with a Community Volunteer Fee number from your organisation.
- Allow at least 10 business days. The National Police Check result arrives as a PDF by email.
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.
- Because a Victoria Police certificate covers a single reason or job, a new job can mean a new check even when your last one is recent.
- 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 (VIC), 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 (VIC), which carries its own criminal history assessment.
- Ask to see the original certificate. Victoria Police has no public verification service.
What is specific to Victoria
- A Victoria Police certificate can only be used for a single reason or job.
- The volunteer rate for Victorian volunteers and students on placement needs a Community Volunteer Fee number.
- A National Police and Fingerprint Records Check costs $245.20 (Livescan) and takes at least 20 business days.
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 Victoria 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
How much is a police check in Victoria?
$91.50 from Victoria Police, or $31.10 for Victorian volunteers and students on placement with a Community Volunteer Fee number. Fees rise each 1 July.
How long does a Victoria Police check take?
Allow at least 10 business days from the date you apply, or at least 20 business days if fingerprints are needed.
How old can a police check be for aged care in Victoria?
Aged Care accepts a National Police Check that is not older than three years, assessed by the provider for certain offences, or an NDIS Worker Screening Check instead. Victoria Police puts no expiry on the check itself.
Do I need a police check for disability or childcare work in Victoria?
The screening for those roles is a different check. Risk-assessed NDIS roles need the NDIS Worker Screening Check and child-related work needs a Working with Children Check, and both include a criminal history assessment.
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 (VIC) in Victoria
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (VIC) in Victoria
- Teacher registration (VIC) in Victoria
- Glossary: National Police Check
- Which worker check do I need?: pick your sector, role and state
Sources
- https://www.police.vic.gov.au/apply-national-police-check
- https://www.police.vic.gov.au/national-police-certificates
- https://www.police.vic.gov.au/national-police-check-fees-charges
- 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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