Subclass 189 Hong Kong stream: Do you need both Hong Kong and Australian police certificates?
Check the residence and travel history of each applicant. Home Affairs' subclass 189 Hong Kong stream guidance asks you to identify each country or territory where you spent a total of at least 12 months in the past 10 years after turning 16. If your time in Hong Kong and your time in Australia each meet the threshold, you will generally need a separate certificate for each place.
Reconstruct each person's travel and residence history
List addresses, arrival and departure dates and the country or territory for each period. Add separate stays in the same place when checking the threshold. For example, someone who studied in Australia, spent time overseas and then returned to work should account for both Australian stays. Review the records for each applicant. Follow Home Affairs' instructions on any character requirements for family members who are not applying with you.
For Australia, check the issuer and disclosure type
Home Affairs accepts a complete disclosure National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Standard disclosure certificates and certificates issued by Australian state or territory police cannot replace it. Check the purpose, spelling of names and any former names before applying. Home Affairs says the Australian certificate is valid for immigration purposes for 12 months from the date of issue. If you already have a check for employment, confirm whether the issuer, disclosure type and date meet the visa requirements.
For Hong Kong, follow the request letter
The Hong Kong Police Force issues the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC). Its guidance for Australian immigration applications asks for the request letter, including the applicant's full name and the postal address of the Australian immigration office that will receive the result. A case number should be included where available. The police send the result directly to the relevant authority. Keep your application receipt and correspondence, and follow the instructions in your individual request.
For other countries or territories, check the appropriate issuing authority and delivery procedure separately. If there are gaps in your travel dates or differences in name spelling, compare the original records before submitting the paperwork. For a review with 卓越移民 Premiervisa Group, bring a short residence timeline, details of any certificates you hold and the status of your request letter.
Official sources checked on 6 November 2026.
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