Government worker police checks in Australia

The police check is a point-in-time check. A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is often required when applying for employment, appointment to positions of trust and a variety of licensing and registration schemes.

It helps government organisations make informed decisions about the suitability of their applicants.

The possible offences that will come up in a police check are regarded as the candidate's Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO).

A check result with a DCO may list the following police information:

• charges
• court convictions, including penalties and sentences
• findings of guilt with no conviction
• court appearances
• good behaviour bonds or other court orders
• matters awaiting court hearing
• warrants and/or warnings
• traffic offences.

The results provided on a check will outline whether the applicant has No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO) or Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO):

• NDCO means there is:
• no police information held against the applicant
• no police information that can be released according to the purpose and category of the police check, and the application of relevant spent convictions legislations and/or information release policies.
• DCO means there is:
• police information that can be released.

While a police check is an important background Check for most employers and organisation policies, it is not the only possible check.

Other relevant checks for candidates seeking Government or even different public/private roles include;

• Credit History Checks,
• Employment Reference Checks
• Working with Children Check,
• Education History Check,
• Drivers/Traffic History Checks,
• Working With Vulnerable/Aged Care Check,
• Financial History Check,
• Other relevant Background Checks relating to your career or roles.

The applicant needs to provide personal information and supporting documentation to prove their identity. It is important to provide as much information as possible to ensure the check is processed accurately and in a timely manner.

The applicant must also provide informed consent. The accredited body must establish a verifiable link between the identity documents and the individual.

The NCCHC application is easier when you apply online. However, many other methods exist to apply for the police check in Australia if you cannot make the online application.

Starting from the most popular method of application (online), customers can complete the police check application using an internet-accessible device like;

• Phones,
• PCs,
• Tablets.

The online platform of Australian National Character Check user-friendly application portal.

We make our application portal as simple and understandable as possible.

Individual applicants seeking government roles can apply for their police check online.

A ‘potential match’ may be found if the applicant shares similar details with other individuals recorded in police systems, particularly if they have a common name. Processing of a check in these instances can take longer to progress.

The police check is a point in time check and has no set expiry date.

Government organisations determine their own expiry dates based on their internal risk mitigation policies. Generally, most Australian government organisations will not accept a police check that is older than three months.

An applicant submits an application for a check through Australian National Character Check

Once ANCC verifies the applicant’s identity, we submit the applicant’s personal details provided into the National Police Checking Service Support System (NSS), the national IT system owned and operated by the ACIC.

The applicant’s personal details are checked against a national database using a name matching algorithm. If the personal details match any police information held in police records, the system will generate a ‘potential match’.

If the system generates a potential match, it will be referred to the relevant police agency (or agencies) for further assessment. If the police agency confirms the applicant’s details do not match the police information, a ‘No Disclosable Court Outcome’ result will be provided. If the police agency determines the applicant’s details do match the police information, a referral is generated with the relevant police agency for them to conduct their ‘vetting’ process.

When an applicant’s personal details match the police information held in police records, the police agencies will determine what information can be released in accordance with the purpose of the check and the relevant spent convictions legislation and/or information release policies. This is commonly referred to as ‘vetting”.

Once the police have finished processing the check, ANCC will email the check results report to the applicant.