How can I find and retrieve my previous police check results?

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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.

Since Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks have become mandatory in a number of sensitive job roles in Australia, especially in some agencies/industries, there has been plenty of rush for it. Lots of information is flying around; about obtaining a check, retrieving results and so on.

While many people have completed Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks online within the past year, some people can’t remember how to access them.

Also, if your police check was done for you by an organization, it is possible to access the result of your police check.

In the process of all this, some people are not aware of some simple details like;

• If it is possible to retrieve a check
• How to retrieve a police check
• How long the retrieval period is

Here, we will explain how you can retrieve your police check and for how long the window stays open.

Can I retrieve a police check?

When you apply for a police check online via accredited service providers like Australian National Character Check (ANCC), you will get a soft copy of your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result that will get emailed to you instantly when the results become available. If you request a hard copy, it will be mailed to you.

However, if in one way your document gets destroyed, you can retrieve your own result by contacting the ANCC Support team online. Check results are available for up to three months.

Apply through other agencies

Also, if you have applied through other agencies aside from ANCC, you should contact their customer service and explain the situation.

If you applied for your check via the Australian Federal Police, you should proceed to the AFP criminal records section and make your enquiry.

How long can I retrieve a police check result?

Due to regulations, all police check results/applications are only kept for a maximum of one three months. After this period, the records are securely destroyed. So, if your police check results/application is older than three months, it will not be possible to retrieve them from ANCC or some other accredited service provider.

What if I can’t remember the agency I applied with?

A lot of things may have happened within the time you applied, and you may have forgotten the agency. You can get the required information by checking your tax invoice or searching through your old emails.

If you applied online, it is much possible to see a correspondence or message in your mail. Your Tax invoice is also a great way to confirm when and where you made a remittance.

Furthermore, all those who apply online usually pay the required fee using their credit/debit cards. Requesting your bank statements from your banker will give you information about the agency you remitted to.

Help, I cannot access my police check

If you have tried every available means, including contacting the agency for copies, and you still can't access your check, you may need to apply for a new one.

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate will provide an updated record of all your criminal convictions, finding of guilt and sentencing. So, if you don't get a conviction within that period, your updated check will be similar to the previous one.

Can I retrieve my check if I am no longer within the State?

If you applied for a nationally coordinated criminal history check in a different state than you are, you can always retrieve it. However, it depends on the agency you applied through.

All those who applied through the Australian National Character Check will receive a copy of the police check if they contact us and get verified correctly. For example, you could have applied for your police check in Tasmania and then move to Victoria later on.

How old will the retrieved police check be?

A police check does not assume a new look just because it is retrieved. Retrieval does not translate to being “reissued” a police check. You are only getting a stored copy of your Original Background Check result.

How long does a check result last?

A national police check is a point-in-time check. It remains valid from the point of issue till when you request an updated check. It cannot expire but can be rejected by the requesting agency depending on their internal risk strategy.

Most organisations/companies will not accept a check older than 3 months old.

Depending on the sensitivity of the role of applicants, an organization can request updated police checks of their staff within 1 to 2 years.

Which is the easiest way to apply for a check?

Since applying for a background check has become mandatory in some industries/sectors (e.g. background checks for working in aged care), people should seek easier and faster means to apply.

Applying for your check online via one of the accredited agencies' portal is considered to be one of the fastest ways to get your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

The online procedure is simple to complete; do this with a mobile, PC or tablet device.

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