Do You Need Police Checks for a Subclass 836 Carer Visa in 2026?
Explains when Subclass 836 applicants need an AFP police certificate in 2026, which type is accepted and how long it remains valid.
Under the Australian-stay rule, yes: a Subclass 836 applicant must provide an Australian police certificate if, since turning 16, they have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the past 10 years. As at July 2026, the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs’ official Carer visa (Subclass 836) page says the only accepted Australian police certificate is a complete disclosure National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). For immigration purposes, this certificate is valid for 12 months from its date of issue.
The 12 months spent in Australia and the certificate’s 12-month validity are separate tests. Failing the residence threshold does not prevent an overseas police-certificate requirement from applying.
Does the 12 months in Australia have to be one continuous stay?
No. The published criterion refers to a total of 12 months or more, rather than one continuous stay.
For example, a hypothetical applicant who spent seven months in Australia in one year and six months in another has spent 13 months in total. A different applicant with 11 months in total would not meet this particular Australian-stay threshold.
This calculation concerns only Australian residence. Time spent overseas must be considered separately.
Which Australian police certificate is accepted?
Home Affairs distinguishes between the following documents:
| Document | Accepted for Subclass 836? |
|---|---|
| AFP complete disclosure National Police Certificate | Yes |
| Standard disclosure certificate | No |
| National Police Certificate issued by an Australian state or territory police force | No |
Accordingly, an AFP certificate using the wrong disclosure type is not interchangeable with the required complete disclosure National Police Certificate.
How long does the AFP certificate remain valid?
The Australian police certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. That period is the certificate’s validity period; it is separate from the requirement to have spent 12 months or more in Australia.
The official page does not explain whether an expiry date during application processing has any special treatment. If a certificate will be close to expiry, the issue date should be checked against the latest official requirements rather than assuming that its validity will be extended.
Does the same 12-month rule apply overseas?
A separate overseas-certificate requirement applies. The page asks for a police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16.
An AFP certificate covering Australian residence does not replace the required police certificates for qualifying periods overseas. The 12-month validity rule stated on the page applies specifically to Australian police certificates.
Is the police certificate the only character document?
No. A Subclass 836 applicant must also complete and provide Form 80 — Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment — and Form 1221 — Additional personal particulars information.
The page also requests military service records or discharge papers if the applicant has served in the armed forces of any country. An included partner and an included child over 18 must provide character documents; for every dependant under 18 applying with the applicant, character documents must be provided if applicable.
These points provide general information rather than personalised legal advice. A borderline case should be assessed against the latest official requirements or advice from an appropriately qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Australian police certificate if I spent less than 12 months in Australia?
Not under the Australian-stay rule in the official Subclass 836 checklist. That requirement is triggered by a total of 12 months or more in Australia during the relevant 10-year period. A person who did not reach that threshold may still need an overseas police certificate.
Can I combine several shorter stays in Australia?
The published criterion refers to a total of 12 months or more, so separate periods of residence can be considered together for this threshold. It does not require one continuous 12-month stay. This residence test is different from the certificate’s 12-month validity period.
Is an AFP standard disclosure certificate enough?
No. Home Affairs accepts only a complete disclosure National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police for this Australian police-certificate requirement. Standard disclosure certificates are expressly excluded.
Can I use a state or territory police certificate?
No. National police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police forces are not accepted for this requirement. The document must be an AFP complete disclosure National Police Certificate.
For how long is the AFP certificate valid?
For immigration purposes, the Australian police certificate is valid for 12 months from its date of issue. This is not the same as the 12-month Australian-residence threshold that determines whether the certificate is required.
What if I spent 12 months or more in another country?
You must provide an overseas police certificate from every qualifying country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16. An AFP certificate for periods spent in Australia does not replace those overseas certificates.
What happens if my police certificate expires while the application is pending?
The official page gives the certificate a validity period of 12 months from issue but does not provide a special extension or explain how expiry during processing is treated. The certificate’s issue date should therefore be considered against the latest official requirements before submission.