Understanding the Australian Police Check
Getting a National Criminal History Check (NCHC), commonly known as a police check, is a standard requirement for employment, volunteering, and licensing across Australia. This document is crucial as it verifies an individual’s criminal history, ensuring suitability for roles that involve vulnerable people, positions of trust, or specific professional accreditations. For many Australians, the process begins by considering an AusPost police check, a long established and familiar route to obtaining this essential certificate.
What is a National Criminal History Check?
A National Criminal History Check is a summary of an individual’s disclosable court outcomes and pending charges across all Australian police jurisdictions. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) processes the check centrally. Employers and regulatory bodies rely on the result as an official document to make informed risk-management and hiring decisions. The check provides a snapshot in time, has no formal expiry date, and remains valid until a new check is issued. Employers typically require one that is less than three to six months old. Understanding the fundamental nature of the NCHC is the first step toward choosing the most efficient application pathway, whether it’s through an accredited online body or an established service provider.
Who Requires a Police Check?
The demand for police checks spans numerous industries. Employers will likely ask applicants entering roles where integrity and trust are paramount to provide one. Common sectors include healthcare, education, childcare, aged care, financial services, and government roles. Organisations often require volunteers to obtain one as well, particularly when they work with children or vulnerable populations. Furthermore, certain professional accreditations, taxi or ride share drivers’ licenses, and even some visa applications may mandate a current check. Because the requirement is so widespread and non negotiable for compliance, having a smooth, reliable process for obtaining the check is vital. The method chosen, traditional or modern, can significantly impact the speed at which an applicant can start a new job or secure a new license.
The Role of AusPost in Police Checks
Australia Post (AusPost) has historically played a significant role in facilitating police checks. Acting as an agent for various state police departments or accredited bodies, AusPost provides a physical, trusted location where applicants can submit paperwork and verify their identity in person. This method has been the go to for generations, offering a tangible, face to face service that many find reassuring.
The AusPost Application Process
The traditional route for applying for an AusPost police check typically involves several key steps. First, the applicant often needs to download the application form from the relevant police service website or pick up a physical form. They then meticulously fill out all personal details and required consent sections. The critical step is visiting an Australia Post retail outlet. At the counter, applicants must present a specific combination of original identity documents, which are verified by an AusPost staff member against the application form. Once you complete the identity check and pay the fee, the system lodges the physical application and sends it for processing. While familiar, this process relies heavily on the applicant finding time during business hours to attend the post office and ensuring they have all the correct documents on hand.
Why Some Choose the AusPost Police Check Route
For some individuals, particularly those who are less comfortable with fully digital identity verification methods, the in person service offered by an AusPost police check holds considerable appeal. It provides a level of certainty and a direct interaction with a person to handle sensitive documentation. This reliance on a physical paper trail and in person verification has been a hallmark of the service for many years. Additionally, in very remote areas where internet connectivity might be poor, the physical presence of an Australia Post branch can be the most accessible way to start the application process. This preference for the traditional over the digital is a valid consideration, though modern accredited services have greatly streamlined the online experience to be equally secure and user friendly.
The Modern Alternative: Accredited Online Providers
While the traditional method remains an option, accredited online providers have revolutionized the landscape of police checks. These organizations have been approved by ACIC to manage and submit National Criminal History Checks on behalf of applicants. A digital first approach allows applicants to complete the entire process, from data entry to identity verification, on a smartphone or computer, anytime and anywhere.
Speed and Efficiency: A Key Difference
The main differentiator between an in person application and an accredited online service is processing speed. Online applications that use digital identity verification systems often bypass the delays associated with physical paperwork and manual handling. The system often returns results within hours, or even minutes, for 70 to 80% of applicants whose details produce a ‘No Disclosable Court Outcomes’ (NDCO) result. This contrasts sharply with the time taken to complete and mail in a physical application, which can add days to the overall processing time. For an employer or a prospective employee needing results quickly, this speed is invaluable.
Digital Identity Verification
Accredited online providers leverage cutting edge technology to verify identity securely. Instead of presenting original documents to a staff member, applicants can use secure portals to upload scans or photos of their identity documents. Many providers also utilise advanced systems that link directly to official databases (like Medicare, driver’s licence, or passport records) to instantly verify the documents presented, a process known as Digital Identity Verification (DIV). This secure, encrypted, and instantaneous verification removes the need to visit a physical location, streamlining the process significantly while maintaining the highest levels of security and compliance required by ACIC.
Key Considerations When Choosing Your Police Check Method
When deciding between a traditional method and a modern online service, several factors come into play: convenience, cost, and processing time. Applicants must weigh the comfort of a familiar process against the efficiency of a digital one.
Processing Time and AusPost Police Check Wait Times
Processing time is often the most critical factor. Most checks return quickly, but complex cases that require manual review may take longer, no matter which application method you use. Applicants who choose the paper-based route often experience the initial delay. When you mail a manually submitted application, and the team logs and digitises it, these steps extend the overall turnaround time. While the central ACIC processing time is the same for all applications, the front end process for an AusPost police check introduces more opportunities for postal delays and manual errors compared to an immediate online submission. For urgent applications, the faster lodgement time of an online service is undeniably superior.
Cost Comparison
The cost of a police check can vary based on the provider, the purpose of the check (e.g., employment vs. volunteer), and which body facilitates the application. While an AusPost police check service fee is typically competitive, applicants should always compare the final, all inclusive price. Online providers sometimes offer competitive rates due to reduced administrative overheads, but the primary benefit is the speed of delivery rather than cost saving alone. Whether you pay a small fee to a government department, a slight premium to a modern screening company, or the listed fee at the post office, it’s essential to ensure the service is ACIC accredited and provides a valid, compliant check.
Accreditation and Validity
Crucially, the final certificate issued by any ACIC accredited agency holds the same legal validity as a check facilitated by the AusPost police check service. Regardless of the intermediary (the post office, a state police agency, or an online screening company), the check is processed by the same central national body, ACIC. The validity of the check depends on the official ACIC stamp and reference number, not the logo on the front end of the application. Applicants should confirm that the provider they choose is listed as an accredited body on the ACIC website to ensure their check will be accepted by employers and regulatory bodies.
Moving Beyond the Traditional: The Smart Choice
The digital transformation has made online police checks the smart choice for the majority of Australians. The seamless integration of digital ID verification, automated application checks, and immediate submission has significantly improved the user experience. Choosing a reputable online provider over the manual AusPost police check method means prioritizing speed and convenience without sacrificing security or validity.
It’s about saving an hour of commuting and queuing, and instead, completing the required steps in a secure online portal in minutes. This efficient process allows job seekers to provide documentation to their prospective employers faster, reducing the time spent in limbo and speeding up onboarding. It’s a modern solution built for a fast paced employment market.
Conclusion
Obtaining a National Criminal History Check is a mandatory step for career progression and compliance in countless fields across Australia. While the traditional process of an in person AusPost police check remains a viable, familiar option for some, the increasing efficiency, speed, and security of ACIC accredited online providers present a compelling alternative.
The decision ultimately comes down to preference: the comfort of a face to face transaction versus the unparalleled convenience and rapid turnaround of a fully digitised submission. In today’s employment market, speed is often an advantage. By choosing a streamlined online service, applicants gain the certainty of quick processing for their police check, helping them move forward with their professional goals faster, whether you opt for an online service or an AusPost police check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does an Australian police check actually take?
The majority of applications (typically 70 80%) that result in ‘No Disclosable Court Outcomes’ are processed very quickly, often within 1 hour to 1 business day, when submitted online. However, if an application requires manual review due to a potential name match or incomplete data, it can take up to 10 to 15 business days or occasionally longer. This extended period is the same regardless of whether you lodged through a post office or an online provider, as it depends on manual checking by police agencies.
Is an online police check valid for employment?
Yes, absolutely. An online check submitted through an ACIC accredited body holds the exact same validity as one submitted via a traditional route. Employers only require that the check is an official National Criminal History Check issued by an ACIC accredited agency. The method of application does not affect the legal standing or acceptance of the final certificate.
Do I need a separate police check for every state I’ve lived in?
No. The National Criminal History Check covers an individual’s criminal history across all Australian police jurisdictions, regardless of where they have lived. It is a single, national document. If you require a check for employment purposes, you only need to apply for one NCHC.
How often should I renew my police check?
Police checks have no official expiry date. However, most employers or regulatory bodies will only accept a check that has been issued within the last three to six months. This is because criminal history can change after the issue date. You will need to apply for a new check whenever a prospective employer or organisation requires a ‘current’ one.
Can I still get a police check if I don’t have an Australian driver’s licence?
Yes. Identity verification processes accept various combinations of primary and secondary documents, such as passports, birth certificates, Medicare cards, and utility bills. Accredited online providers offer a range of options to meet the 100 point identity requirement, accommodating applicants who do not hold a driver’s licence.
