When does a police check Expire in the Northern Territory (NT)?

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A police check does not expire in the technical sense. However, organisations or employers can interpret a police check according to their internal risk mitigation policies. When handling or evaluating Check results, employers must ensure it does not contradict the NT laws relating to Use and Disclosure of Criminal records.

Can my NT police check expire?

A police check in the Northern Territory (NT) is a point in time check and has no set date of expiry. Most decision makers and employers do not accept a nationally coordinated criminal history check that is older than three (3) months from the date of issue.

The general belief is that a police check certificate should be updated frequently;

• To capture more recent records, and
• Aid better evaluation of the candidate.

If your Check result is older than three months, you may need to update it with an approved agency before submitting your application.

Moreover, the requesting authority usually outlines the conditions for the police check certificate they receive. The organisation can relax the "3 months rule" as long as the certificate is not reasonably obsolete.

What happens when my police check “expires”?

If your criminal history check does not meet the conditions of the requesting body, they have the right to refuse your Check result. It is not illegal for them to deny your Police Check if;

• It does not match their internal policies, and
• Such policies do not contradict the relevant laws in NT.

If your criminal history check is "too old" for the requirement, you should apply for a renewal of the certificate. Updating your Check is practically the same process as obtaining it for the first time, including the relevant documents.

What does my updated police check result show?

When you update your criminal history check certificate, you will also get updates of any changes on your criminal records since the last disclosure.

A person who has received another conviction after obtaining the previous Check will see the sentence in the updated result.

Also, if specific legal programs erase or modify your criminal records, it will reflect your updated police check.

However, asides from the updates in the records, your police check will show the routine Disclosable court Outcomes (DCO).

Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs)

Your DCO is the conviction details on your Criminal record that police agencies deem releasable. It includes all details of the court convictions and orders the Court imposes.

The details of your DCOs includes;

• All Criminal Charges, including suspended sentences,
• All traffic-related criminal offences,
• All finding of guilt where the Magistrate issues no conviction,
• Pending charges,

No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO)

All other details on your records that do not appear in your police check are No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO).

Also, your police check will return as an NDCO if there are no releasable criminal records on your profile.

Where can you get an updated police check?

There are a lot of options to update your Check. Sometimes the requesting party may specify a preference or source, and the applicant must adhere to this.

However, all employment, licensing and accreditation Checks are the same regardless of where or who issues them. They all disclose the same information, as they come from one central government source – The National Police Checking Service.

You can apply for an updated police check;

• Online

Some approved agencies now provide an easy and quick application through an online portal. The online application is perfect for everyone as you can apply using a PC, Tablet or mobile device.

The process can be completed through easy steps generally not exceeding 12 minutes of filling and verifying information.

• NT Police

The NT Police provides applicants with valid police check results through their online portals. However, this application process may involve physical visits to verify ID documents and paper-based application forms.

Applications completed through the Local NT Police are generally returned within 10 and 15 business days.

What is the use of a police check?

The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check has become a nationwide document of assessment and a trusted one.

• Aids employers in assessing their candidate

Using the nationally coordinated criminal history check, employers can not only verify people's details, but they can also view their past with the Australian legislation. The employer can then apply such information to determine the relevance to the role or position they seek.

• Informs candidate of the Criminal records

It is challenging to keep track of your criminal records, especially if you have received plenty of court summons, tickets or court orders. Most people cannot even differentiate between a Police record and a criminal record.

With a nationally coordinated criminal history check, the candidate can fully know their Police records and plan their future applications.

• Helps licensing agencies in assessing the applicant

Applying for licenses like a public vehicle license, real estate, liquor, etc. will require the person to obtain a criminal background check. The Licensing agencies have the job of assessing whether such a candidate is "worthy" to conduct that task or use the commodity wisely.

A person with a criminal history of aggravated Violence, robbery offences, public disturbance, Domestic Violence, and related charges may be refused a certain license.

• Improves safety of People and the community

An employer or organisation that makes the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check part of a requirement will reduce the possibility of employing an unsuitable person to a role.

How to process a police check renewal

A popular way to get your criminal history check is by applying online through an approved service provider. Australian National Character Check (ANCC) enables applicants all over Australia to obtain their criminal history checks online.

The steps below detail how easy it is for applicants to update their police check online;

1. Select the “Start a new Check” option on the portal of the Australian National Character Check (ANCC) portal home.
2. Open and fill the forms requesting your data.
3. Select the purpose of the police check; Employment checks, Probity criminal history checks, Licensing police checks, and so on.
4. Payment for the service can be made through any of the online payment options. The popular ones are credit/debit cards, PayPal, and so on.
5. Upload copies of the verification ID as requested. A clear photo image may also serve the purpose.
6. Verify all the data you have provides just before you click the “Submit” option
7. Monitor the process through the "Track a Check" option.

My police check application is taking longer than 48 hours

Over 70% of applicants who apply for the police check get their results delivered accordingly and within a few hours time. The remaining 30% may experience delays in the handling and checking process due to peculiar factors in their data.

Around 25% to 30% of the applications are delayed due to being flagged for a “manual review”.

The usual process is for the system algorithm to conduct the checking process;

• It compares the applicant’s personal information with the details on the Australian Criminal database.
• If an application is flagged for manual review, it will delay the application by an additional 5 to 15+ working days.

Do Overseas convictions show in a police check NT?

The police check is a nationwide assessment scheme for convictions issued in an Australian Court. Anyone who wants to access a candidate's overseas records must employ other means with the informed consent of the applicant.

An overseas criminal record does not form part of your records in Australia. If the Australian legal system was not involved in the sentencing, it will generally not appear on a police check in Australia.

What other things do not show up on a police check?

The Check only reveals convictions given in an Australian Court; any other violations belong to records of other agencies. Regardless of the degree of the offence, the following details will not show up.

• Diversionary Programs,
• No finding of guilt,
• Convictions given by Court outside of Australian laws,
• Matters settled by a court outside the Australian legal courts.

Is a police check obtained valid outside the NT?

If you obtained a recent Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, you can use it in any other Australian region for the same purpose. The police check employs a nationwide checking process that will include an applicant’s conviction details from all the individual State and Territory criminal records and relevant Police records.

How can I obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check?

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.

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