In the fast paced Australian job market of 2026, time is your most valuable asset. Whether you are applying for a new role in aged care, finalizing a visa application, or stepping into a volunteer position, the final hurdle is often the background screening. At Rapid Screening, we understand that pending is a frustrating word when a career defining opportunity is on the line. That is why we have built a system that allows you to track your police check in real time, providing transparency in an often opaque process.
Most people expect a police check to be a simple “yes or no” database query. In reality, it is a complex coordination between accredited bodies like Rapid Screening and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). While our technology is designed for speed, understanding how to track your police check effectively can save you hours of worry and help you keep your prospective employer informed.
The Rapid Screening Timeline: What to Expect
Before you dive into the portal to track your police check, it helps to know the industry benchmarks.
The 70/30 Rule
The national police checking service operates on what we call the 70/30 rule.
- 70% of Checks: These are processed automatically by the ACIC servers. If there are no potential matches against the national database, the result is often returned to us within 2 to 4 hours.
- 30% of Checks: These are flagged for Manual Referral. This does not mean you have a criminal record; it simply means the system has found a name, date of birth, or gender profile similar to someone in the database. These require a human police officer to manually verify the records.
Real Time Updates
Unlike traditional paper-based methods that could take weeks, our digital platform is linked directly to the national database. When you log in to track your police check, you are seeing the most current information available from the police jurisdictions across Australia.
Step-by-Step: How to Track Your Police Check
We have streamlined the tracking process to ensure you don’t need a degree in IT to find out where your application stands.
1. Check Your Confirmation Email
The moment you submit your application and complete your ID verification via our secure portal, you will receive a confirmation email. This email contains your Reference Number. Keep this handy, as it is the key to all updates.
2. Log In to the Rapid Screening Portal
Visit the Rapid Screening website and navigate to the login area. By using the credentials created during your application, you can access your personal dashboard. This dashboard is the most direct way to track your police check status 24/7.
3. Monitor Your SMS and Email
We don’t just wait for you to come to us. Our system is designed to push notifications to you. You will receive an alert when:
- Your ID has been successfully verified.
- Your application has been submitted to the ACIC.
- Your result is ready for download.
Decoding the Status: What the Tracking Labels Mean
When you track your police check, you might encounter various status labels. Understanding these can help manage your expectations and those of your employer.
| Status | Meaning | Action Required |
| Pending ID | Your application is started, but your 100 points of ID are not yet verified. | Complete your selfie-ID check. |
| Submitted | We have sent your data to the ACIC. | No action; wait for the system to process. |
| Referred | Your check is in the 30% being manually reviewed by police. | Be patient; this can take 1–15 business days. |
| Finalised | Your result is ready! | Log in to download your certificate. |
The Manual Referral Wait
If you track your police check and see it has been Referred, try not to panic. This is a standard part of the process. It often happens to people with common surnames or those who have lived in multiple states. Because each state’s police force must sign off on the manual review, it can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Why Speed and Security Matter in 2026
In the current era of high-frequency data breaches and identity theft, the security of your police check is just as important as the speed. Rapid Screening uses 256 bit encryption to protect your personal details while they are in transit to the ACIC.
When you use our portal to track your police check, you are accessing a secure environment. We do not send your full criminal history via unencrypted email; instead, we send you a secure link to download the official certificate from our protected servers. This ensures that your sensitive information only ends up in the right hands.
Tips for a Smoother Tracking Experience
To ensure you don’t hit any snags while you track your police check, follow these best practices:
- Double-Check Your Email: 90% of missing results are found in the Junk or Spam folder. Mark Rapid Screening as a safe sender as soon as you apply.
- Use the Right Reference: If you are calling our support team to track your police check, always have your reference number ready. This allows our team to give you an instant update.
- Apply Early: If you know you have a manual referral history, don’t wait until the day before you start your job. While we are the fastest in the business, we cannot override the police department’s manual vetting timelines.
Pro Tip: Employers often appreciate transparency. If your check is taking longer than 48 hours, you can show them your Referred status in the portal to prove that the delay is with the ACIC, not due to any inaction on your part.
Conclusion: Transparency You Can Trust
At Rapid Screening, we believe that you shouldn’t be left in the dark regarding your own personal information. Our commitment to providing a clear way to track your police check is part of our mission to be Australia’s most trusted and transparent screening provider.
Whether the result is instant or requires a bit more time from the authorities, our portal ensures you are the first to know. By combining industry leading technology with a human centric support team, we take the stress out of compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) How long should I wait before I track your police check status?
You can track it immediately! As soon as you hit submit, your status will update to Submitted. However, since 70% of results come back within 2 hours, we recommend checking back after lunch if you applied in the morning.
Q) Can I speed up a Manual Referral status?
Unfortunately, no. Once a check is referred to the police agencies, no accredited body in Australia can speed it up. It is a legal process handled by the government.
Q) What if I lost my reference number?
Don’t worry. You can still log in to the portal using your email address and password. If you’ve forgotten those too, our 24/7 support team can help verify your identity and give you your status.
Q) Is the tracking available on mobile?
Yes. Our portal is fully responsive, meaning you can track your police check from your smartphone or tablet while you’re on the go.
Q) Why does my tracking say Information Required?
This usually means there was a blur on one of your ID documents or a typo in your address history. Log in to the portal to see exactly what is needed so we can get your check back on track.
Q) Will my employer see the same tracking information?
If your employer paid for the check, they will have access to a business dashboard showing the status. If you paid for it yourself, only you have access unless you choose to share the result with them.
Q) How long is the certificate available once it is Finalised?
We keep your results secure and available for download for 3 months. We recommend downloading and saving a copy to your personal files as soon as you receive the notification.
