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.
Even with a nationally coordinated criminal history check, you may still be precluded from applying for your dream role if your Check is “too old”.
There is no set age limit for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, an approved service provider issues them, and they remain valid until they are considered too old by the person in charge of decision making. However, most organisations have a rule of not accepting any Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check results older than three (3) months old.
A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is a point in time check and therefore it has no set expiry date. However most employers and decision makers in Queensland (QLD) do not accept checks that are older than three (3) months.
Decision makers can limit the age of the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check they receive depending on their internal organisation policies.
When an approved service provider issues a nationally coordinated criminal history check, it contains the details on the criminal records from the Australian Criminal Database. It means the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is valid from the point of issue till whenever the holder decides to update.
However, since the certificate contains constantly changing records (conviction records), most requesting parties prefer assessing the candidate's recent records. And this is why there is an implied agreement as to the limit for a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check before it turns obsolete.
It means that some organisations usually regard Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificates older than three months as obsolete records.
You cannot find recent criminal histories or records on an "older" Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate.
A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate from 2 years ago will have a blank for the two years up till this period. It means the employer or agency assessing the records cannot determine their criminal records for that period.
The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is crucial; it is not hard to see why applicants are worried about "how long the check results last". Here are some of the everyday use of a nationally coordinated criminal history check result;
There are some applications or tasks that cannot be completed without a nationally coordinated criminal history check. The increasing need for vigilance and employee suitability means that organisations and employers now include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result as a part of their requirements.
It may not be possible to get specific licenses without a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate. The process for obtaining a liquor or real estate license in Australia will require you to submit your Check result.
Some cases arise where a person may have to prove their suitability for a particular duty, license, benefits, or other legal grants. In such a case, the decision makers will request the nationally coordinated criminal history checks of the person for probity.
If your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate falls short of the specifications of the requesting bodies, it is time to renew the check. It is the same process as obtaining a new Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate.
Obtaining a new Check is easy when you apply online through licensed bodies. Most people get worried that an application period may expire before getting an updated criminal record check; this is false.
The results can be out within hours when you apply online (assuming the application does not get referred for manual processing).
There are various ways you can renew or obtain a new Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. However, it should not be against the preference of the requesting party.
This is one of the most popular methods of getting a Check; it includes a completely online application process. Applicants who use this method get their electronic copy of the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result mostly within 48 hours with the exception of those that get referred for manual processing.
The QLD Police Force issues Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificates to applicants.
Generally, applicants should allow between 10 and 15 business days to return the certificate.
The post office can transfer documents between the applicant and the national checking service. It is similar to the in-person application at the Police office.
No, a nationally coordinated criminal history check is the same and remains valid regardless of where or how it was issued by an accredited body.
The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check application in most cases takes 24 to 48 hours when you apply online. However, about 15% of online applications usually take longer to complete as they are flagged for "manual processing”.
A Manual review occurs when an official with the National Police Checking Service or a State or Territory police force must supervise the checking process. Manual processing occurs after the system algorithm detects a potential match in a particular application.
If an application gets flagged for “manual review”, it will delay when the applicant receives their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate.
The certificate is a reflection of the convictions on your criminal record. However, not all the convictions on your criminal records are disclosed in the check.
The conviction details of your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate are called the Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs). The DCO consists of all court convictions and sentences that the legislation and State laws deem releasable.
Your DCOs contains the following details;
All convictions not disclosable under the law are known as the No disclosable Court Outcome (NDCO).
Also, your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result may return as an NDCO if there is no conviction against your info on the Australian Criminal Database.
If your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check returns as an NDCO, it means that you have a “clean” Police record.
The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check only reveals convictions given by Australian Courts. Any other conviction or violation does not turn up on your criminal records or the check certificate.
In particular, overseas offences do not show up on a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check if Australian law enforcement was not involved. However, there are other methods a party or the candidate can apply for their overseas record, including obtaining an interNationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
Besides the Overseas records, the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate does not disclose;
Individuals
If you are an individual, you can obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate online via Australian National Character Check's Nationally Coordinated Criminal History 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' Nationally Coordinated 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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