What is a Character Check?
The Australian Government has to ensure that everybody who wishes to enter Australia is of acceptable character. It is the responsibility of the visa applicants or visa holders to show that they are of good character. Visa applicants/holders may be asked to provide penal clearance certificates (police checks) for each country they have lived in for more than 12 months over the past 10 years since they turned 16. Sometimes further documentation is required. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Form 47P tells you how to obtain penal clearances from countries where you have lived. For further information on the Character Check, visit the DIAC website at: http://www.immi.gov.
