kath2604

Hello - I am British, about to apply for a defacto visa with my Australian partner. I am currently in the UK.

I spent 1 year on a working holiday visa in Australia back in 2002.
Will I need to get a police check from Australia as well as from the UK?

Thanks
Kath

bridiej

Dont think so, Malc did the same but we werent told by agent we needed Oz check...

Pollyana

If you have spent 12 months in Australia (or close to it) then yes, you will need an Aussie police check.

sunnybeach

yes I think you woould need that AFP as u had spent a year out of last 10 years.
Cheers,

sunnybeach

oh I forget to tell u that please do it urgently if u need the police check from australia as it takes for a month
Thanks

asprilla

Ok - I'm in the same "boat" as the original poster... Which certificate do I require ? DIMIA didn't have a clue when I called them....

According to http://www.police.qld.gov.au/pr/serv.../polcert.shtml , there are 2 options :

"Police Certificate based on an Australia-wide check of name only: $38.20
Police Certificate based on an Australia-wide check of name and fingerprints: $135.10"

Please tell me I only need the cheap one !!

Kind regards,
Mark

saraliz

It's neither of those. You need this form - http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1101.pdf . All the instructions are included on the form. The cost is $36.

cantwait

NO only if you've lived in Oz , we did our police check's unrequested just pick up the forms from your local police station, we've just had our visa granted so we did everything right, and they only took 4 wks to come back, good luck

paula
Cheshire

claire edwards

I lived in Australia for 11 months. It's up to the discretion of your case officer in terms of the amount of time you spent there and whether they want you to get one. What I would do is get one anyway, they are cheep to get and it will speed up the process of your application if asked for one.

Cheers
Claire

kath2604

I have just sent off for my Aus Police Check.
Just as a note or warning, the banks charge a fortune for the international bankers draft. I tried shopping around, but as I needed it urgently, it cost me £15! Plus the $36 (total of £30!!) This was through HSBC. Natwest do it for £8 but you have to have a bank account to use this service!!
Worth looking at other banks if you have time.

asprilla

thanks Saraliz !

I wonder why DIMIA didn't point me towards this form.... hmmm.

bridiej

I checked with my agent on this one and unless you were actually there for 12 full months you dont need one.

Pollyana

Technically you don't but I know I've seen some people post on here about being asked for them after 11 months - might be as well to get one if you are close to the 12 month mark.

asprilla

hmmm.. Yet, the DIMIA told me I would need one, after I explained that I'd be applying a couple of days before the expiration of my 1yr working holiday....

who to believe ? There seems to be so many sources of information regarding immigration, but no one authority ! I think I'll just get the check done, to be on the "safe" side....

Kind regards,
Mark

JAJ

It is a grey area - but the bottom line is that if you are anywhere close to the 12 month mark, get the police check to be on the safe side.


Jeremy