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 police 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 police check results older than three (3) months old.
A police 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 police 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 police 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 police check before it turns obsolete.
It means that some organisations usually regard police check certificates older than three months as obsolete records.
You cannot find recent criminal histories or records on an "older" police check certificate.
A police 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 police check result as a part of their requirements.
It may not be possible to get specific licenses without a police 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 police checks of the person for probity.
If your police 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 police 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 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 police check result mostly within 48 hours with the exception of those that get referred for manual processing.
The QLD Police Force issues police 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 police 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 police 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 police check result may return as an NDCO if there is no conviction against your info on the Australian Criminal Database.
If your police check returns as an NDCO, it means that you have a “clean” Police record.
The police 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 police 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 police 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 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.
