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Top Police Check FAQ

What appears on a police check?

A police check will display disclosable outcomes, including findings of guilt, traffic infringements, suspended sentences, good behaviour bonds etc. If a candidate's information does not match any police records, they will likely receive a result of no disclosable outcomes, and this will be reflected on the certificate issued.

What doesn't appear on a police check?

Disclosable outcomes protected as spent convictions or under information release policies will not appear on a police check. Convictions are spent after 5 years if the offender was a child at the time of the offence, and spent after 10 years if they were an adult at the time.

Charges that have been dropped, findings of non-guilt, and traffic infringements not involving convictions (eg. fines and cautions) will also not appear on a national police certificate.

What documents are required?

There are many different types of documents accepted in order to verify a candidate's identity, but usually it consists of a primary document i.e. a passport, alongside supporting documents to verify their name and address.

VETTING.com will guide your candidate through the process, showing them their options and how to upload them.

How long does it take?

In about 70% of cases, results are received in minutes once a candidate has supplied all of their information, otherwise if it is referred for further investigation results should be received within 15 business days.

COMPLETION TIME: 70% - IMMEDIATE, REMAINDER - UP TO 3 WEEKS

COVERAGE: AUSTRALIA

Our platform provides the option of a single or multi check report for all checks that you carry out. All the information you need is available to read and save at the click of a button.

Sneak Peek

Police Check Candidate Flow
Candidate Flow
Police Check Sample Report
Sample Report

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Compile multiple settings & checks into a package

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Further ACIC Police Check FAQ

Hopefully we can answer all of your questions below, but if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

Australian Police Checks

What is a Police Check?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (previously National Police Check) looks into an individual's criminal history, and involves collecting identification information to examine disclosable convictions, court appearances, charges, etc. This type of check may be used to assist in screening so employers can make informed decisions about individuals and how they might suit a role. It is most commonly referred to as a 'police check'.

Why should I get a police check?

An employer may require potential employees to undergo a police clearance check, particularly if the role involves working with vulnerable people or children. Employers use background screening as a method of protecting their company, their employees, and their customers.

Who can get a police check?

Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for a National Police check in Australia through an accredited body. Under-18's require a guardian's signature

How do I track the progress of a police check?

Our platform will update each step of the way throughout the police check application. Once the check has been completed, the platform will show the check as 'complete', and you will be able to view and download the certificate.

Why does VETTING.com bundle the police check with a right to work check?

In order to meet the ACIC identify verification requirements in an automated manner, we capture specific identity & document information that are the same as those required in the Right to Work check. Therefore, we run the two in tandem on all police checks.

Our inclusion of the automated Right to Work check ensures the candidate's correct information is passed on to the ACIC by decreasing the possibility of human error, which can lead to a disclosable outcome being missed. However, if a candidate does make a mistake in the identity verification phase and causes a flagged result, you can simply request corrections or make them yourself rather than starting the entire police check over again.

More information about ACIC police checks

Why do my employees need a police check?
  • To provide peace of mind for employers
  • To avoid risk (to your company and vulnerable people): by law, if your employee is going to work in a regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults, they must have a national criminal record check.
  • Protect vulnerable groups: similarly, it is illegal for someone who has been barred from working with children and vulnerable groups to do so. Getting police checks for all candidates ensures that safeguarding procedures have been followed.
How do I get the results?

VETTING.com will notify clients and candidates as soon as your police check has been processed.

Candidates can download a copy of their police check certificate for their own records directly from the VETTING.com platform.

Is an NCCHC check the same as an NPC check?

In short, yes! In July 2018, the ACIC renamed the National Police Check (NPC) to be the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC). There is no difference between the content of the checks, and many people refer to this type of check as a 'police check', or 'ACIC police check'.

How do I get a police check?

Using VETTING.com, you can request and track police and other pre-employment checks in one, easy to use platform. Once you've signed up with VETTING.com, you can add your candidates who will then be notified and guided through the information they need to complete. Throughout the whole process you, as a VETTING.com user, are able to see where the candidate is in the process and when the results are ready.

Is there any way to fast-track a national police check?

In specific circumstances, a check can be marked as an urgent priority. This may be related to an emergency or disaster situation, a medical or political circumstance, or a child-related process like adoption. It does not apply in circumstances where the applicant cannot begin work because the check result hasn't been received, or because the check has been delayed.

Can I start work before receiving a police check?

It is not recommended to employers to allow their candidates to begin work prior to the police check being returned. This is to protect the employer's company, current employees and customers.

What documents do I need to provide for a criminal record check?

All we need are your occupation details, personal details, 5 years of address history and proof of identification (usually a passport, driver's license etc.). We also accept various forms of alternative identification if the traditional forms are not held.

Can I use the same police check for different jobs?

In general, no. This is because different depths of checks may be required for different roles, companies and industries. If a candidate applies for a different occupational position, their previous police check cannot be used. This is also because it is a 'point-in-time' check, and offences may have occurred since that time.

VETTING.com can help with your checks

Why VETTING.com?

Our platform is there to make everyone's lives easier. As an employer, your dedicated Customer Success Manager will train you on how to add a candidate, request checks, see how they are progressing through the checks and view the results at a click of a button. As a candidate, the easy-to-use platform will guide you through exactly what information you need to provide and what to do next. And if you ever need help, our support team is just a call or click away.

How does VETTING.com work?

VETTING.com removes the hassle, friction, and pain from the background screening process. It is intuitive, slick, and seamless for clients, candidates, and referees. Our platform centralises all your background screening in one location for a faster, fully compliant, and more cost-effective process. VETTING.com can be used on any device allowing clients, candidates, and referees to complete their respective parts of the process anywhere, at any time.

How do I sign up to VETTING.com?

If you are interested in using VETTING.com to speed up, add security and improve your candidates experience of the background checking process, please contact us and we can show you how the platform works.