Restaurant and food industry employment police checks

The restaurant industry in Australia employs a significant portion of the workforce. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data in May 2021 shows that over 450,000 people work in the accommodation and food services industry, which includes restaurants. The sector also provides entry-level jobs and opportunities for young people, immigrants and people with limited work experience.

There are several roles within the restaurant industry, each with its unique responsibilities and requirements. Some of the most common functions include waitstaff, cooks and chefs, kitchen staff, bartenders, managers, host/hostesses, food delivery drivers and more. Each role may require different qualifications and experience; some may require additional certifications, such as food safety certifications.

Some general requirements for restaurant employment include excellent customer service skills, flexibility and physical stamina, RSA certification, food safety certification, and a valid work visa, to name a few. But in recent years, police checks have become essential for several safety reasons.

A police check, formally known as a nationally coordinated criminal history check (NCCHC) or background check, is a process in which an individual's criminal history is verified by a government agency, typically a police force.

The police check is used to determine whether an individual has a disclosable criminal record and, if so, what that record includes. The type of information in a police check can vary, but it typically contains convictions and pending charges. Some police checks may also include information about an individual's traffic offences.

Police checks are often required for restaurant or food services employment as a way for employers to ensure the security and safety of their customers, employees, and the overall operation of their business.

In the restaurant industry, employees often handle food and access customers' personal information, such as their credit card details, so employers may want to ensure that they are hiring trustworthy and reliable individuals. A police check can provide employers with information about an individual's criminal history, which can help them make informed decisions about who to hire.

Additionally, some roles in the restaurant industry, such as those that involve working with children or handling cash, may be considered "high risk" and require a police check as part of the hiring process.

It's also worth noting that in some states or territories in Australia, the law may require specific types of businesses, such as those serving alcohol or providing security services, to conduct police checks on employees.

In summary, a police check is one of the ways employers can ensure the safety and security of their customers and employees and comply with the legal requirements in Australia.

A police check can be obtained through accredited agencies, which are authorised by the ACIC to process police check applications on behalf of individuals and organisations.

To obtain a police check, here are the steps you must follow:

As noted earlier, you can apply for the police check through an accredited ACIC body or a police agency. The application process is usually online and involves filling out the required information.

You'll also have to upload four identification documents, which include the following:

• ✔ One Commencement of ID document
• ✔ One primary use in community document
• ✔ Two secondary use in community documents
• ✔ A biometric link to the claimed identity

You'll also have to pay the police check application fee, and the cost depends on who is processing your check.

After you apply, the accredited body or police agency confirms your identity before sending your details to the National Police Checking Service Support System (NSS).

The system runs a name-matching algorithm to determine a possible match based on the applicant's details.

If it doesn't find one, the system immediately returns a 'no disclosable court outcome (NDCO)'. But if the system encounters a match, it sends the pulled-out criminal record to the relevant police agencies for further processing. Here, the police agencies authenticate the criminal record, ensuring it belongs to the applicant. If that's the case, the police agency uses the spent conviction scheme to determine which criminal records are releasable before sending the police check result to the requesting body.

You can get a nationally coordinated criminal history check no matter what state or territory you are based in. For example, a police check in NSW or a police check in Victoria.

Once the police agency or accredited body gets the police check result, they will notify you so you can get your police check result.

The processing time for a police check can vary. However, about 70% of applications are processed on the same day, while others may take over two weeks, primarily when they are referred for manual processing.

Yes, there is a fee associated with obtaining a police check. The cost can vary depending on the agency or organisation processing the check. For example, ANCC charges $52.90 + GST for a police check.

An individual with a criminal record may be restricted from working in the restaurant industry in Australia, depending on the nature and severity of their offences. Employers are required to consider the relevance of the conviction to the position being applied for and the time elapsed since the conviction before deciding to employ someone.

ANCC offers world-class background checking services for individuals and businesses in the restaurant industry. Check out our portals to meet your needs.

Are you looking for restaurant employment? Chances are you need a police check. With ANCC, you can now order and get fast police checks at an affordable price. Check us out now!

Hiring managers in the restaurant industry can now rely on ANCC's innovative business portal to manage bulk police checks. The business portal allows you to order, track, monitor, and compare multiple police checks in real-time. With this information, you'll be better equipped to make informed hiring decisions.