If you recently completed an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check, you likely received an email stating that your digital certificate is ready. However, finding, opening, or recovering that specific digital certificate link can sometimes be tricky.

This guide walks you through exactly how to access your AFP digital certificate, how to troubleshoot expired links, and how to download your official PDF safely.

1. Check Your Email for the Official AFP Notification

When your National Police Check is cleared, the AFP sends an automated email.

• Look for the Sender: The email will come from an official .gov.au address (usually NationalPoliceChecks@afp.gov.au or via their portal partner).
• Search Terms: If you can’t find it, search your inbox, spam, and junk folders for “AFP Digital Certificate”, “National Police Check Results”, or your NPC Reference Number.

2. Click the Secure Link and Enter Your Access Code

For security and privacy compliance, the AFP does not attach your police check directly to the email as a PDF. Instead, they provide a secure hyperlink.

• Click the unique link inside the email.
• You will be redirected to the secure AFP portal.
• Enter the Access Code or Password provided in that same email (or the one you set up during your application) to verify your identity.

3. Download and Save the PDF Immediately

Important Note: AFP digital certificate links are not permanent. They are subject to strict security timeframes and will expire.

Once you gain access to the portal:

1. Click the Download or Print to PDF button.
2. Save the file to your secure personal cloud or hard drive.
3. Back it up, as employers or licensing bodies usually require the original digital PDF file rather than a printed scan.

Troubleshooting: Why is my AFP certificate link not working?

If you are staring at an error page, the two most common culprits are:

The Link Has Expired

AFP digital certificate download links usually expire within 30 to 90 days of issuance to protect your private data. If you miss this window, the link becomes completely inactive.

Browser or Firewall Blocks

Sometimes strict browser extensions or corporate firewalls block the secure portal redirect. Try copying the link and pasting it into an Incognito/Private browsing window, or switch from a smartphone to a desktop computer.

What to do if your link is expired or lost

If your link has expired, the AFP cannot simply re-send the link for security reasons. You will generally need to:

1. Contact the AFP National Police Checks team directly via their official helpdesk.
2. Provide your original application reference number.
3. If too much time has passed (usually beyond 3 months), you may be required to lodge and pay for a new National Police Check application.