Who needs a police certificate in NSW?
Anyone applying to Liquor & Gaming NSW as an individual licensee, or as an approved manager of premises owned by a company.
Service NSW lists a National Police Check certificate issued within the last 3 months for individual licence applications, such as an on-premises licence, and for approved manager licence applications. The liquor licence transfer page also asks for a National Police Certificate less than three months old. If a company holds the licence, it must appoint a manager, and that manager applies for an approved manager licence in their own name.
The 3-month rule: when should you order?
Order your police check once your training is done and you're ready to apply, not months before.
Your certificate must be no more than 3 months old when you apply. Ordering too early is one of the easiest ways to have to pay for a second check. A safe order of steps is:
- Complete your NSW RSA and hold a valid NSW RSA competency card. Job Trainer Australia delivers NSW RSA online.
- Complete Licensee Training within the timeframe for your application (see below). JTA delivers NSW Licensee Training online.
- Order your police check at ncaust.com.au. Scan the QR code for 10% off with code BLOG10.
- Save copies of your 3 ID documents as you upload them for the check.
- Apply online through Service NSW while your certificate is less than 3 months old.
The ID rule: lodge copies of the same 3 documents
Service NSW asks for copies of the 3 identity documents you used when you applied for your National Police Check.
This is the step that catches people out. If you use your passport for the police check but attach your driver licence to the licence application, the documents won't match. When you order your check, use the documents you'll also attach to your application, and save a copy of each one:
- Commencement of identity: Australian birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or a passport/visa for overseas-born applicants
- Primary use in community: Australian driver licence or passport
- Secondary use in community: Medicare card, bank card or utility bill
Do you have your ID ready?
0 of 4 ready
You are ready to order. Use code BLOG10 for 10% off.
Which check do you need?
A national police check for employment purposes. Volunteer checks are not suitable for licensing.
| Check | Price | Suitable for a NSW licence application? |
|---|
| Employment NCCHC: paid work, positions of trust, licensing and accreditation | $59 inc. GST | Yes |
| Volunteer NCCHC: unpaid community roles and student placements | $29 inc. GST | No |
When you apply, choose "Employment" as the purpose and enter your role, for example "Licensee, licensed premises NSW" or "Approved manager, licensed premises NSW". Check the current Liquor & Gaming NSW guidance for your application type before you order.
Training certificates to lodge with your application
Your NSW RSA competency card plus Licensee Training, and Advanced Licensee Training if your premises requires it.
NSW RSA
The licensee and all staff who sell, serve or supply alcohol need an approved RSA course and a valid NSW RSA competency card. NSW RSA online with JTA.
Licensee Training (LT)
For most licensees, approved managers and club secretaries. JTA delivers NSW Licensee Training online, including a short interview with a trainer.
Advanced Licensee Training (ALT)
Applies to higher-risk premises, such as venues authorised to trade after midnight on more than 12 occasions in any 12-month period.
RCG (hotels and clubs)
Approved managers working in a hotel or club also need an RCG competency card or certificate.
When does Licensee Training have to be done? New individual licensees complete RSA and Licensee Training before applying. For licence transfers, it must be done no later than 60 days after provisional approval. Approved managers and club secretaries complete it within 60 days of lodging their application. Need both courses? The NSW Licensee Training + RSA Combo bundles them in one enrolment.
Your JTA certificates: your L&GNSW Interim Certificate is issued once a qualified assessor deems you competent. Allow time for marking before you plan your application date.
Your NSW application checklist
- National Police Check certificate issued within the last 3 months
- Copies of the 3 ID documents you used for that check
- Evidence of your NSW RSA (competency card or certificate)
- Licensee Training, and Advanced Licensee Training if it applies to your premises
- RCG competency card or certificate, for approved managers in hotels and clubs
- Approved manager declaration form, if it applies to you
- The application fee
Mistakes that slow NSW applications down
- A police certificate older than 3 months. Order it close to when you'll apply.
- ID copies that don't match the police check. Use the same 3 documents for both.
- A volunteer check. Licensing needs a national check for employment purposes.
- Missing training evidence. Attach your RSA, and LT or ALT if it is due.
- Missing the 60-day training deadline after a transfer's provisional approval or an approved manager application.
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Order your NSW licensing police check
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Scan the QR code or visit www.ncaust.com.au and use this code at checkout for 10% off:
BLOG10
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Police clearance for NSW licensees: FAQs
How old can my police certificate be for a Liquor & Gaming NSW application?
It must have been issued within the last 3 months when you apply. Service NSW and Liquor & Gaming NSW list this for individual licence applications, transfers and approved manager applications. If it is older, order a new one before you apply.
Which ID documents do I need to lodge with my NSW licence application?
Copies of the same 3 identity documents you used when you applied for your National Police Check. Keep copies of them when you order your check so they match exactly.
Which police check should I choose?
A national police check for employment purposes, such as the Employment check at National Clearance Australia ($59 inc. GST). Volunteer checks are not suitable for licensing. Confirm the current Liquor & Gaming NSW guidance for your application type before you order.
Do I need Licensee Training before I apply?
New individual licensees should complete their NSW RSA and Licensee Training before applying. For licence transfers, Licensee and/or Advanced Licensee Training must be completed no later than 60 days after provisional approval. Approved managers and club secretaries complete it within 60 days of lodging their application.
Do approved managers in NSW need a police certificate?
Yes. If you will manage licensed premises owned by a company, you apply for an approved manager licence and include a National Police Check certificate issued within the last 3 months, copies of the 3 ID documents you used, and your RSA (plus RCG for hotels and clubs).
How long does a police check take?
About 70% of checks are issued in real time or within 24 hours on business days. The rest are referred for manual police review and can take up to 10 business days, so order once your training is done and you are ready to apply.
Is there a discount code for the police check?
Yes. Enter BLOG10 at checkout on www.ncaust.com.au for 10% off your police check.
Sources: Service NSW: apply for a liquor approved manager licence, Service NSW: apply for an on-premises licence, Liquor & Gaming NSW: transfer a liquor licence, Liquor & Gaming NSW: general bar licence, Liquor & Gaming NSW: Licensee and Advanced Licensee Training.