Police check for NT residents

Residents based in the Northern Territory (NT) can get a nationally coordinated criminal history check online via the Australian National Character Check - ANCC® website.

The application process is completely online and can be completed in under 15 minutes.

The police check application can be completed securely from a computer, mobile or tablet.

Check time-frames: 70 percent of police checks are returned to applicants in the Northern Territory (NT) within 24 hours. Approximately 30 percent of the checks can be referred to one or more police agencies. This can take longer than 10 business days for the result to be returned.

The check provided by ANCC® is formally referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check.

Applicants can pay their check securely via a card or by PayPal.

Important item to note: If applicants require a check that is issued by the Northern Territory (NT) Police Force, this can only be obtained directly through the NT Police Force. Please visit the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services website. Australian National Character Check is not affiliated with the NT Police Force and applicants must obtain one directly through their website. Applicants should allow a minimum of 10 business days for a check by the NT Police Force to be issued.

A police check is a record that contains disclosable court outcomes (DCOs) sourced from the database of all the Australian police agencies. A check result can contain disclosable court outcomes or no disclosable court outcomes (NDCO).

• A DCO result means there is:
• Police information that can be released on the nationally coordinated criminal history check.
• A NDCO result means there is:
• No police information held against the applicant;
• No police information that can be released according to the purpose and category of the police check, and the application of relevant spent convictions legislations and/or information release policies.

When an applicant applies for a police check, they can expect records of all disclosable court outcomes (DCOs) like; sentences, penalties, and pending charges sourced from all Australian police databases.

A check result that shows one or more DCOs may list the following information:

• Charges deemed releasable
• Court convictions, including penalties and sentences
• Findings of guilt with no conviction
• Court appearances in the Australian legal system
• Good behaviour bonds or other court orders
• Matters awaiting court hearing
• Warrants and/or warnings
• Traffic offences

Most corporate establishments and organisations in the NT require a police check before admittance or employment is offered to a person.

If you have been requested to tender your police check, there are multiple ways to obtain it.

• You can apply online from an accredited agency like Australian National Character Check to issue you with a nationally coordinated criminal history check (NCCHC). Applicants should note that the check on this website is formally referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check. The check is valid in all Australian states and territories and is not issued directly by the NT Police Force.
• You can get the police check by applying with the NT Police Force (SAFE NT).

Applicants that apply through ANCC® do sometimes experience a difference in speed and efficiency when obtaining their police check online.

Majority of police checks for applicants based in the NT are returned within 24. 70 percent of checks are returned within 24 hours. Approximately 30 percent of checks get referred to more police agencies and can take longer than 10 days to return.

Results are emailed on the same day they are received. Overall, applicants save time and cost when applying for their police check online.

Your police check in the NT is valid up until the day of issue. Most organisations or decision makers in the NT will not accept police checks that are older than 3 months.

A police check is a “point in time check” which means that it does not have a set expiry date.

The requesting party should tell you how old your police check can be and how often they will need an updated one.

The time frame depends on the requesting organisation’s risk mitigation plan

Approximately 30 percent of checks are automatically referred for ‘manual processing’ by the national police checking service’s matching system.

A ‘potential match’ may be found for the applicant if the applicant shares similar details with other individuals recorded in Australian police systems. This may particularly be if they have a commonly used name.

Processing of a check in those instances will take longer to progress and the applicant should allow sufficient time when applying for their background check. Police checks that get referred for manual processing can take longer than 10 business days for a result to be received.

The duty to secure the life and properties of an organisation or institution is paramount to individuals that are in charge of decision making.

The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check report assists decision makers to obtain a summary of the releasable criminal records of an individual.

Police checks help decision makers in the NT and the rest of Australia to make ‘informed’ decisions.

The ANCC Business Portal provides an online solution for workplaces in the NT to streamline police checks.

Contact our customer support team today to find out how Australian National Character Check streamline police checks at your workplace.