Please be ready with your application reference number starting with 'P'. For example P1234567
Legal professionals provide a wide array of services - from expert guidance on common issues to dealing with sophisticated specialist areas. They also offer individuals and businesses advice and assistance with legal matters and represent their clients in a court of law.
The legal profession is delicate and hence regulated. Regulation of the discipline ensures strict adherence to ethical standards that are beneficial to clients and society at large. The sector is projected to grow as Australia's economy continues to rise. Hence, the need to attract talented, competent, and ethical individuals into the profession is more significant than ever.
Background checks are essential in the legal profession. Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks, in particular, help government and private employers assess the criminal history of aspiring/practising lawyers to determine their suitability for holding a licence. This post explores the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check process in Australia's legal profession.
Australia's legal industry is large, generating over $26.8 billion in revenue between 2021 and 2022. The sector also provides many employment opportunities for a fulfilling career. Examples include paralegal, legal assistant, lawyer or judge, court messenger, law firm administrator and lots more.
A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check helps to determine a person's disclosable criminal history. Over the years, Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks have become a standard part of background checks during most employers' hiring process - and the legal profession is no exception.
While there are different types of background checks, the nationally coordinated criminal history check (NCCHC) tends to be the background check of choice in Australia's legal industry. The NCCHC contains Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs) of an individual.
DCOs are criminal records that can be revealed based on a state or territory's Spent Convictions Scheme and information release policies.
DCOs typically include criminal convictions and sentences, pending charges, traffic offences, indictable violations, findings of guilt and unspent convictions.
In a scenario where you have no disclosable offence, a NCCHC returns a No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO) result.
Getting a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check as part of the application for a practising certificate in Australia is straightforward.
Nationally coordinated criminal history checks in Australia are coordinated by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). They work with accredited bodies and the Australian Police Forces to make police checking services available to Australians.
To apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, you must apply through your means of choice.
The application form involves filling in some personal information like name, date of birth, address history, as well as stating the purpose of the check. You must also upload the required identification documents and pay the application fee.
Here are more details on this process:
✔ ACIC-accredited agenciesAccredited agencies like the Australian National Character Check (ANCC) provide police checking services. You can promptly obtain an NCCHC by completing the online application form and paying the base fee ($52.90 + GST).
The processing process typically takes 24 hours for 70% of applications and 15+ days for 30% of applications.
✔ Australian Police ForceMost police stations across Australia also provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check service. All you need to do is complete a paper based or online application.
Australian National Character Check is an accredited ACIC agency that provides accurate, prompt, and affordable nationally coordinated criminal history checks to legal practitioners and other professionals across Australia through its
✔ Individual PortalThe individual portal is suited for individuals seeking a background check for themselves.
ANCC's online application process makes it easy to obtain an NCCHC certificate online. The results are dispatched via email when available.
✔ Business PortalFor businesses (e.g. law firms) seeking to assess the character of their candidate pool, ANCC's Business Portal provides an easy means for them to conduct bulk background checks.
The business portal makes it easy for law firms to track, monitor, and assess the criminal record of their employees. However, law firms can use the business portal only after ANCC has approved them.
If you'd like to set up a business portal for your law firm, promptly contact ANCC's business and enterprise partnership team.
Need discount employment background checks? We beat prices!
About ANCC
ANCC® enables individuals and approved legal entities to apply for a nationally coordinated criminal history check, which is commonly referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check. The nationally coordinated criminal history check is valid all over Australia and can be used when applying for Employment, Probity, Licencing, or Commonwealth check purposes. Get discount employment background checks online. We beat prices!
Helped of customers and counting.
Danny
Business portal user
"A reliable online platform to get nationally coordinated criminal history checks."
Vicki
Individual applicant
"For someone not very tech savvy, I found this to be very easy to get my nationally coordinated criminal history check."
Bec
Individual applicant
"Clear, and precise directions and requests allowing the information required to be supplied and/or uploaded. Prompt and professional responses."
Steve
Business portal user
"Very detailed and covers all avenues regarding the applicant. Perfect for any job application."
Rosalba
Individual applicant
"Cost effective, super fast, efficient processing of applications. Excellent service."
Renato
Business portal user
"Very objective and clear to what is required and plenty of options to choose for available support documents."
Ron
Business portal user
"A highly efficient service with a simple online facility. A highly recommended service."
Sharon
Individual applicant
"The form was very clear and feedback on errors very quick. Thank you ANCC."
Not sure where to start?
Book in a free consultation with us to discuss your organisation's employment background check needs, or to get an overview of the ANCC Business Portal.
Need discount employment background checks? We beat prices!
About ANCC
ANCC® enables individuals and approved legal entities to apply for a nationally coordinated criminal history check, which is commonly referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check. The nationally coordinated criminal history check is valid all over Australia and can be used when applying for Employment, Probity, Licencing, or Commonwealth check purposes. Get discount employment background checks online. We beat prices!
Helped of customers and counting.
Danny
Business portal user
"A reliable online platform to get nationally coordinated criminal history checks."
Vicki
Individual applicant
"For someone not very tech savvy, I found this to be very easy to get my nationally coordinated criminal history check."
Bec
Individual applicant
"Clear, and precise directions and requests allowing the information required to be supplied and/or uploaded. Prompt and professional responses."
Steve
Business portal user
"Very detailed and covers all avenues regarding the applicant. Perfect for any job application."
Rosalba
Individual applicant
"Cost effective, super fast, efficient processing of applications. Excellent service."
Renato
Business portal user
"Very objective and clear to what is required and plenty of options to choose for available support documents."
Ron
Business portal user
"A highly efficient service with a simple online facility. A highly recommended service."
Sharon
Individual applicant
"The form was very clear and feedback on errors very quick. Thank you ANCC."
Not sure where to start?
Book in a free consultation with us to discuss your organisation's employment background check needs, or to get an overview of the ANCC Business Portal.
