Please be ready with your application reference number starting with 'P'. For example P1234567
The information on this webpage is to be read in conjunction with this disclaimer:
Australian National Character Check (ANCC) makes every effort to provide updated and accurate information to its customers. However due to the continuously changing nature of legislations for the Commonwealth and various States and Territories, it is inevitable that some information may not be up to date. The information on the website is general information only. The contents on the website do not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or professional advice. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, suitability, accuracy or availability with respect to the information.
Applying for a paid job, probity or specific licenses will have you running to obtain a nationally coordinated criminal history check in Australia. It has become the default means for employers to assess their candidate's suitability for the role.
The police check is conducted nationwide and has lots of benefits both within and outside the ACT. Naturally, every applicant will want to know how long the police check lasts, or until when before the information becomes obsolete.
A police check is a point-in-time check and has no set expiry date. It remains valid from the point of issue. The police check is only up to date from the candidate's criminal records to when they receive the result. Most decision makers and employers do not accept a police check that is older than three (3) months.
A police check can become obsolete depending on how long it was issued. For example, a police check issued one year ago will have a blank on the candidate's record for that year.
Most employers/organisations will not accept police checks older than three months. Depending on their internal policies, these organisations consider a police check older than three months as losing vital information (recent criminal records).
However, these companies usually specify the age limits of the nationally coordinated criminal history check they accept.
If you want your updated criminal records, renew your police check. This process is similar to obtaining a new Check.
Updating your criminal history check has benefits both for the requesting party and the applicant. The most significant advantage is that the criminal records on the checks are updated even to include recent convictions.
When evaluating a candidate's criminal records, the recent convictions hold more weight than older convictions. An updated Criminal Record Check will help the Employer determine if the candidate may relapse in the offence or maintain their good behaviour period.
The candidate has the right to no disclosure; they are under no obligation to reveal the record unless by special legal orders.
Specific laws also forbid the Employer from evaluating a candidate unless relevant to the matter.
Updating your Check informs the applicant of their current records. Some convictions will preclude them from specific applications, which can help them better prepare for other applications.
It is impossible to prove to an employer or any other party that you have not gotten a new conviction. In the end, you are better off applying for an updated criminal history check certificate before applying for the role.
However, if you apply for the police check for a personal reason, you may put off renewing the check if you have not received a conviction in that period.
Obtaining a police check in Australia has become easier over the years. The licensing of third party agencies to help with the distribution has improved efficiency and speed.
Applying online; Australian National Character Check (ANCC)
One common and easy way to obtain a police check is to apply through approved service providers. Some applicants may receive their police background check results within hours when they go through this method.
Applying this method, it can be completed online. You can use a PC, Tablet, or mobile device to Start and Submit your application.
Applicants will receive an e-copy (PDF) of their check result mostly within 24 to 48 hours of applying. The remaining that get referred for manual processing will take longer.
Applying through the AFP
The AFP is directly involved in vetting and endorsing the police check result conducted by the National Police Checking Service.
Applying via the local Police office will require paper forms and may require ID documents to get certified.
Candidates typically receive their certificate between 10 and 15 days.
The Local Post office
Applications can also be submitted through the local post office. While the post office does not conduct any check, it forwards all applications to the National Check service.
Applicants may typically wait between 10 and 15 days to get their check results mailed to them.
No, all police checks contain the same information since they all come from the same source. All information or Checking is from a central government database.
The police check can only reveal your Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs). Any other details on your criminal record not considered releasable are part of the No Disclosable Court Outcome (NDCO).
The DCO contains a lot of relevant information depending on the purpose of the check.
a police check for paid employment as a driver will include all your convictions relating to driving offences.
The details of a DCO includes;
If there are no releasable convictions on your Criminal records, your police check certificate will return as an NDCO.
It is also possible to have a sentence not deemed releasable by the jurisdiction laws.
If you have an NDCO, then you have a "clean" police check certificate.
Generally, The police check does not reveal sentences that Courts issued outside of Australia. The following details will never appear on the police check;
A popular way to obtain a police history check is to apply online through ANCC;
Applicants usually complete the application within fifteen minutes through these steps;
Individuals
If you are an individual, you can obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate online via Australian National Character Check’s police check application form. The results are dispatched via email.
Business and Enterprise Customers
Business and Enterprise customers are able to sign up to ANCC’s business portal where they can order, manage, track and view candidates’ criminal history check results on their business portal. Organisations will undergo a process for approval prior to being granted access to ANCC’s business portal.
ANCC sends an invite to the applicant to complete their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check online and handles the application and informed consent form. Contact ANCC’s business and enterprise partnerships team today to enquire about setting up a business portal for your organisation.
The content on this website is communicated to you on behalf of Australian National Character Check™ (ANCC®) pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (the Act).
The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction of this material may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.
You may include a link on your website pointing to this content for commercial, educational, governmental or personal use.
The contents of this website do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or professional advice.
Need discount police 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 national police 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 police 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 police 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 police 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 national police 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 police 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 police 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.
