Retail worker police checks in Australia

The retail industry is a crucial component of the Australian economy - representing a whopping 4.1 percent of the GDP and approximately 10 percent of total employment. This is not hard to imagine, given the 140,000+ retail businesses in Australia work tirelessly to connect end consumers to the millions of goods we love. And at the heart of this machine are the retail workers.

Every employer strives to hire the best candidates for the job. Retail employers are no different. That's why conducting a police check is part of the hiring retail workers' vetting process. Police checks (also referred to as nationally coordinated criminal history checks) provide information on a person's criminal history. This information helps retail employers make informed decisions about the suitability of applicants.

Whether you're a retail worker or looking to break into the retail industry, this post explores police checks and how they apply to you.

You might wonder, "Why do retail employers need police checks? Can't they just make hiring decisions based on my resume and the interview?". Here are some reasons police checks are a crucial part of the hiring process in retail.

Do you know that employee theft is responsible for retail shrinkage in Australia? Retail businesses lose billions yearly! Hence, employers' first line of defence is to employ honest candidates. With a police check, employers can effectively assess candidates with multiple theft records during the hiring process. While this does not eliminate workplace theft, it certainly reduces the risk.

One crucial attribute of a good retail worker is excellent customer service. They must be able to keep calm when dealing with a provoking customer. With a police check, employers can weed out applicants with a history of violent crimes as they may be incapable of diffusing a steamy situation at work.

Like most businesses, retail companies thrive on a good reputation. However, a good reputation is easy to lose. Just one employee harassing a customer or a co-worker can result in a massive scandal that can tarnish the company's reputation. Employers can weed out former sexual offenders with a police check and make better hiring decisions that will ensure the safety of customers and workers alike.

If you're seeking employment in retail, the employer must secure informed consent from you before conducting police checks. Once you give permission, here's how your application is processed:

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is responsible for conducting police checks in Australia. They work with accredited bodies and Australian police agencies to make this service accessible.

You must submit your details to apply. You will also present some documents to verify your identity. This includes a primary document (e.g. Driver's licence), commencement document (e.g. passport) and two secondary documenta (e.g. Medicare, student card, etc.).

After verifying your identity, your details are checked against the national database. The check result will outline whether the candidate has 'No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO) or Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO). DCOs will list information like charges, court convictions, sentences, court appearances, traffic offences, and findings of guilt with no conviction.

The result is returned to the accredited body or police agency once the check is complete. The checking agency then notifies the applicant of the result.

ACIC works with accredited bodies and police agencies, with a mission to process 95% of police checks within ten working days. However, about 70% of applications are processed instantly, while the other 30% have to be referred for manual checking, thereby taking longer.

Here are the persons that may have access to your personal information and check results:

• ✔ The authorised police staff facilitating the check process
• ✔ Authorised ACIC staff supporting ACIC-accredited bodies and police agencies.
• ✔ Authorised staff with the accredited body or police agency processing your police check.
• ✔ The personnel requesting the check; can be you or your potential employer.
• ✔ Third parties that the applicant has consented to.

Police checks do not expire. However, they only reveal the criminal history up until the time of the check. That's why police checks are called 'point-in-time checks.' The employer usually determines what time frame is acceptable. This is usually three months or six months in retail.

ANCC is an ACIC-accredited agency that accepts and processes police check applications promptly and efficiently. Most (70%) of applications are processed within 24 hours. You can submit a police check application with ANCC as an:

ANCC Individual's police check portal makes police check a click away for individuals. If you're looking to get into retail, having a police check in hand can help you prepare better for the hiring process.

To apply, you must fill in your name, contact details, and the purpose of your check. The base price for this service is $52.90 + GST.

Retail businesses or HR workers can efficiently conduct police checks on applicants with ANCC's Business Portal by opening a business account. Once your account is set, you can seamlessly add candidates, send police check invites to get their consent, pay for the check, and track the progress in real-time. You'll also receive a notification when the result is available, and you'll be able to view the police check results of candidates all in one place.