Who needs a police check?

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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.

The police check certificate is a common background Check in Australia for all those seeking various roles across the industry. The Australian police check reveals details about a candidate's criminal history that is sourced from the State records/database.

It is simple to say everyone needs a police check, yet that may not necessarily capture the need for the police check in Australia. The police check certificate was made to cater for several needs of both;

• Employers,
• Agencies,
• Candidates

If you plan to earn, work, or get a licence in Australia, it is likely that you will need to obtain a police check.

Cases where you need a police check

Although every organisation adopts the industry standard of getting a police check for some background information, some cases make it critical. The Australian government/industrial policies mark some sectors as sensitive "red zones" where people must obtain a police check before engaging in service or work.

These people/candidates must obtain a police check for employment purposes before working in such regions. The certificate is also prepared so that it fits into the role the person seeks with the organisation.

These include;

• police check for Employment
• Check for Licences
• police check for Probity

All these police checks have the same basic structure but are applied in different means depending on the needs.

Police check for employment

Employers now request all applicants to submit a police check that is custom to their status as "applicants". There is not much difference between the Employment police check and other kinds of police check, except it is optimised for Employment roles.

The Employment Police check will prioritise details like;

• The candidate’s history with previous corporate organisation, Fraudulent practices and Finance related matters
• Work-place related convictions and misdemeanours
• Breach of Contract and Intellectual theft
• Other related convictions

There is no exception to applicants that need this kind of Check, including;

• Educators, Teachers,
• Health care workers, Doctors, Nurses, and related professionals,
• Truck drivers
• Mining and Construction workers,
• Retailers, Merchants and other Tradespeople,
• Cleaners,
• The gaming industry and associated roles,
• Taxi drivers and car-hailing services
• Students looking for an internship
• Factory Workers,
• Pawnbrokers,
• Rural Fireman roles,
• Liquor sellers,
• Lawyers and other legal services provider
• Freelancers working in proximity

Police check for Immigration and Visa

People who apply for any form of services with the Australian immigration service must get a police check via the Australian Federal Police (AFP). It provides helpful information to the agency about the current legal status of the applicant.

For example, a person may be servicing a restriction order which will prevent them from travelling outside the State or Territory. If the agency finds this on the candidate’s profile, they will refrain from issuing them with the Visa or travel grants.

Also, the Australian immigration service uses the police check to determine who passes Australian borders. A convicted international trafficker will be searched keenly and with less liberty than others.

However, an essential condition is that these kinds of police checks are only issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). No other agency can issue such Checks to the candidate.

Accreditation and Licensing

There are lots of professional bodies that now request the police check as a criteria for any hopefuls. For example, the professional body for educators in a Territory usually requires the candidates to apply for a police check for Accreditations.

Also, a police check is a significant and essential requirement for those who want to apply for specific licences like;

• Public Vehicle Driver Licence,
• And any other roles in sensitive areas or regions requiring a licence.

Most agencies will not grant your licence unless they can assess and recommend you based on the police check result.

What shows up on your police check certificate?

Of course, people are usually interested in what the police check contains, and it is much in demand from organisations. Most even attribute the police check to the single most deciding factor about who gets employed or not. However, this is not so, and the police check is just one out of the many background checks an employer should submit during the application.

The police check is a background check that contains details of a candidate's criminal history on the State's criminal records. Some details of the police check for general-purpose include;

• All court/legal given criminal convictions
• Non-guilty sentencing,
• Pending court charges and offences,
• Traffic-related offences that led to a court conviction
• Certain types of Good Behaviour Bonds

Who can apply for a background check?

The background check is open to all persons in Australia who seek any paid roles. Those below the age of 18 must obtain a written consent form from their legal guardian or parents.

However, before applying for a police check, you must possess certain base identification documents like;

• Commencement ID
• Primary ID
• Secondary ID

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 online via Australian National Character Check’s application and informed consent 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’ police check results on their business portal.

Organisations will undergo a process of approval prior to being granted access to ANCC’s business portal for the purpose of police checks.

ANCC sends an invite to the applicant to complete their background 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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