How to get a police check in Tasmania

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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.

Part of the latest measures of risk mitigation and internal strategies is that most organisations now adopt police checks as a valid application requirement. In Tasmania, you must provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result if you are applying for;

• Employment
• Licenses & Accreditation purposes
• Probity purposes and so on.

Also, police checks disclose your police and criminal record from the Tasmanian State database as well as the national database. This information can help you decide better on:

✔ Roles you can apply for; in case of a serious criminal conviction related to what you are applying for

✔ Knowledge of your Disclosable criminal records

The police check result serves but is not limited to all of the above purposes.

How do I obtain a police check?

Getting police checks is easy when you apply online through approved services like ANCC. The process is open and easy for all Tasmania residents and can be completed in a few simple steps.

• Online application

The Australian National Character Check provides a convenient medium to start an online Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check application. Candidates who apply online will generally receive electronic copies of their police check results within 48 hours. Those applicants who get referred for manual processing may have to wait 15+ days.

Applicants can also complete all the requirements online, including verification. And you can do it on your PC, Tablet, or mobile devices.

• Local Police office

The Tasmania Police also processes valid police check certificates. And candidates can start their application in any of their nearby offices or online.

However, the process may require a few trips to the station for ID verifications.

Applications completed at the local post office should be allowed at least 10 days before applicants receive their results.

• The Post office

Applicants can also mail their ID documents and application via the local post office to get their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check results.

However, we understand that applying physically can be stressful to the candidate, so we will break down the process of applying online.

Applying for a Police Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check online

Candidates can begin and complete their applications, including payments using their mobile, tablet, or PC devices.

The common portal for online applications is by logging into the Australian National Character Check anywhere within Tasmania:

✔ Step 1

Select the green "Start a new police check" option on the portal of the Australian National Character Check.

✔ Step 2

Fill out the application form provided with your accurate data

✔ Step 3

Fill in all contact details and extra information required on the check. Also, Cross-check previous data you entered.

✔ Step 4

Select and fill the purpose of the application; probity, employment, and so on.

✔ Step 5

Complete payments via any of the online options;

✔ Step 6

Provide the requested Identification documents by;

• Taking photos via webcam
• Scanning and uploading
• Mailing copies (in the case of a physical application)
✔ Step 7

Send all IDs needed for the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check before you finally submit a application

✔ Step 8

Sign the informed consent online before submitting the police check application

✔ Step 9

Use the “Track a Check” option on the website to track the status of the application. The certificates are also downloadable.

✔ Step 10

Get an electronic copy of the police check result. It is sent to the submitted Email address on your application.

If you request the hard copy, it will follow your submitted postal address.

What Document do I need to start an application?

Your criminal history check application will require you to submit data and details with corroborating ID documents.

You must provide;

• Your full name
• Date of Birth
• Address(es)
• A verifiable photograph should be present in any of the IDs you provide.

The IDs are in four categories;

✔ Commencement ID - (1)

✔ Primary Use in Community document - (1)

✔ Secondary Use in Community document -(2)

What if I have a problem with my application?

What the National Check agency does in police checking is; comparing an applicant's data against the criminal database of the state/Territory and all affiliated areas. The check algorithm may encounter some delays in the checking.

These delays are caused by any or more of the following:

✔ Comparing against numerous States Criminal database

Where an applicant has migrated a lot across states/territories, the data becomes more. It can delay the time the applicant receives their result by 5 – 10 business days. The more address changes shown in the criminal database, the more likely the check result may get delayed.

✔ Manual Review

Sometimes, an application can get "flagged" for further reviewing. If this happens, an official will have to supervise the application of the candidate. It will also delay the time the applicant receives their results by 10 -15 business days.

A Manual review or delay of an application is not a certainty that the candidate has failed their police check. Various factors can lead to the flagging of an application. Some of them are;

• Similar data (shared name, addresses, and co ) to information in the criminal database.
• Pending issues with other Australian agencies
• Errors in the application or the form

Does my police check only show related convictions?

When you apply for a police check or other States and Territories, all your releasable convictions in Australia will show up in the result. The check is a nationwide scheme and includes all related convictions (per purpose) of the individual.

• Convictions/Charges against corporate organisations
• Sexually related offences
• Traffic charges for which an individual is convicted
• Sentences and Convictions
• Pending court charges and offences
• Other offences that will show up on police checks as permitted by the legislation

All offences that show up are called Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs).

However, if your result returns with a No-Disclosable Court outcome (NDCOs), then you have no “legal conviction” which is deemed releasable.

Offences that are NDCO per State legislation are;

• 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

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