Australian National Character Check (ANCC) provides Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks to financial sector workers Australia wide.
Most police checks are returned to applicants within 24 hours of completion.
Individuals can request checks online via ANCC’s online police check application form.
Business and Enterprise customers can streamline Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check requests through ANCC’s business portal. Contact ANCC’s business and enterprise partnerships team if you would like more information on signing up as a business customer.
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks for the financial services industry
Finance is the backbone and yet the most sensitive part of any organisation. Managing the assets of people, agencies, groups or corporations must be done with the highest level of professionalism and transparency. Therefore, the people who work in the finance sector of any organisation need to be vetted or "checked"
Crimes or Offences against corporate bodies, public funds, misappropriation, and co are considered serious offences in Australia. If anyone is convicted of such crimes, it may dent their chances of getting future roles in the financial sector.
As a company providing financial services (banks, audits, accounting firms), you must thoroughly and carefully assess the workers you employ. Your risk mitigation can also be as prudent as limiting important roles to employees with a clean record.
Furthermore, if you intend to work in any financial sector (banks, public accounts, treasury, and co), the police check is generally one of the recruitment requirements.
Even when a police check may not mean total proof of a financial crime, it is a step. It also projects your company as being intentional of the resources they manage.
What is a police check?
A police check contains details of an individual’s Criminal History or Police records. The details of the convictions, charges or sentencing are sourced from the National Criminal database of Australia. So, if you have been convicted of financial or related offences, it will be included in your police check results.
The Australian Police authority issues valid checks to applicants depending on the State legislations where the check was ordered.
When you apply for a police check, there are two possible outcomes you can get;
Disclosable Court Outcome: It shows that the individual has a previous conviction that is considered releasable by the State.
No Disclosable Court Outcomes: A police check can return with NDCOs if the individual has no convictions that are considered releasable (including others stipulated by the court)
The best way to pass a police check is to abstain from any form of offences, including those against corporate bodies.
Where can I obtain a police check for the Financial Sector?
A police check is a legal certificate/assessment, and can only be obtained through accredited agencies like ANCC or through the local police authorities.
If you have to present a police check certificate, you can apply online through ANCC’s online application forms.
Applicants can access our online application service using their tablets, PC or mobile device. It takes just about 12 minutes to fill and complete the process. It is an online process.
All applications submitted through our online portal will get an electronic copy of their police check results within hours. It is considered to be the fastest means yet of obtaining a police check.
If you would like to request checks for other people at your workplace (employees and contractors) then you should contact ANCC’s business and enterprise support team to learn how you can open a business portal.
Local Police Authorities
Applicants can also apply for their police checks via the local Police office in their State and Territories. However, this process may require few visits to the location and a paper-based application form or to get documents certified.
When applying for a police check, always select the purpose of the check. Police checks are not usually generic. There are checks for financial and work-related purposes, aged care, and co. Organisations can refuse a police check if it is irrelevant to the role you apply for.
How long is a police check valid in the finance sector?
A police check must be updated after a given period; it is usually stipulated by the requesting organisation depending on their risk mitigation strategy. A police check is a point-in-time check which is valid from the time of issue.
Most financial institutions/organisations will not accept a Check older than 3 months old. Therefore, before applying to any financial position, most applicants will obtain a police check,
The sensitivity of the finance sector means companies must be prudent in applying results and legislation regarding a police check. It is strongly advised to all financial institutions to request Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks within respectable periods.
Also, if you are convicted of an offence during the waiting period before an updated check, inform your company, and apply for an updated Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
What kind of convictions will come up in my police checks for financial purposes?
A police check application on the financial sector will most likely focus on convictions with related crimes such as;
Bribes/Cut-backs convictions,
Financial Indictments
Public resources misappropriations and mismanagement,
Crimes against corporate bodies
Money Laundering
Looting and embezzlement of funds and other crimes
Other offence that shows up in the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check includes;
Sexually related offences
Traffic charges for which an individual is convicted in a court
All Sentences and Convictions
Pending court charges and offences
What offences don’t come up in an Australian police check for financial sector purposes?
Some offences don’t show up in your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate. If you are expecting your Police certificates, you don’t need to fear the possibilities of these offences showing up;
Findings of non-guilt.
Convictions outside the country
Diversion programs.
Punitive measures by third party institutions or other professional bodies/unions.
Offences outside the jurisdiction of Australian police agencies/courts
How can financial institutions make decisions from thepolice check results?
police check results are valid results of history and present. It in no way determineshow an individual will behave in future (it only allows for a prediction).
Financial institutions must be careful of the workers they employ to roles if they will last long in the business. When recruiting people for sensitive roles, consider previous experiences. Other criminal activities should be investigated.
Furthermore, other reports should be considered, such as; mental assessment, bankruptcy checks, psychological evaluations and emotional stability. All these usually become reasons or basis for financial misdemeanours.
How can I verify a police check provided by an employee?
Decision makers can verify the authenticity of checks issued by ANCC using the Verify a Check option.
Enter the verification code on the top right corner of the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate
Submit and proceed
The Certificate is either accepted (with matching results) or rejected
How long does it take to receive my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate?
It is always wiser to apply for a police check earlier than when you need it. This way, if you have discovered an error, you may apply for a re-checking. However, if you need a police check within a short time, you can apply through our online application portal.
Over 70% of applicants that apply through the online portal get their police check returned to them within 48 hours. While some applications get returned to the applicants due to some errors, the rest may take longer than intended.
If a police check application is delayed, it does not conclude that the applicant has failed their police checks. The most likely explanation is that the application is marked for “manual review”. A manual review can further delay the application by between 2 and 15 days.
Why organisations should adhere to a strict recruitment policy in the financial sector
Australian National Character Check helps various agencies, institutions and companies to obtain valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks. However, a police check may not be the sole financial assessment and financial institutions can also apply other Checks to ensure they employ the right people.
organisations should be strict to;
Improve their brand image
In the financial sector, even a small mistrust can ruin an organisation. People or groups want to keep funds with people they trust.
Protect Customers and Assets
When customers keep their assets with you, they are storing a part of their life with you. It is every company's utmost responsibility to safeguard these assets.
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!
"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!
"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.
