Police Check in Victoria (VIC)

Australian National Character Check™ makes obtaining a national police clearance certificate simple for applicants based in Victoria. The police check application for applicants based in VIC can be completed securely from your computer, mobile or tablet.

Most national police checks for applicants based in Victoria (VIC) are returned within 24 to 48 hours.

Applicants can pay securely via credit card, debit card or PayPal.

If applicants require a certificate that is issued by the Victoria Police Force, this can only be obtained directly through the Victoria Police Force. Australian National Character Check is not affiliated with the Victoria Police Force and applicants must obtain one directly through their website. This will require you to have your identification documents certified, then manually post away and cannot be completed using an entirely online process. You should allow a minimum of 10 business days for a Victoria Police Check by the Victorian Police Force to be issued.

The Police Check Victoria is a National Criminal History Check certificate that lists an applicant's disclosable convictions or charges sourced from the databases of all Australian police agencies.

Information on the spent convictions scheme can be found here.

Most Victorian applicants get their national police clearance certificate within 24 hours. The remaining that get referred for manual processing take longer. Results are automatically dispatched via email on the same day they are received.

You can apply through an accredited agency like Australian National Character Check or via a local police station in Victoria. If applying online, the application process starts from filling out the online police check application form (instead of the conventional paper form), making payment and then uploading your identification documents online. The entire process can be completed under 12 minutes.

There is no difference in the legitimacy of a National Police Check issued to applicants in Victoria by Australian National Character Check and a Victorian police station. Applicants that apply through Australian National Character Check do however experience the substantial difference in speed and efficiency when obtaining their police check online. Majority of national police check results to applicants in VIC are returned within 24 to 48 hours. Results are emailed on the same day they are received. Overall, Victorian applicants save time and cost when applying for their police check online.

Applicants should note that the check on this website is formally referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check and is not issued by a state or territory police force. If you would like a check that is issued by a state or territory police force, please contact the criminal records section of your state or territory police force.

Most companies and volunteer organisations will not admit or employ a person without conducting a criminal background check. Requesting a police checks certificate for every new employee is in line with standard compliance policy for some organisations.

The expiry period for a Police Check Victoria can only be determined by the party that requests it. A police check is a “point in time check” meaning it has no set expiry date. Most organisations in Victoria (VIC) don't accept a police check certificate that is older than three months. This timeframe for the expiry date will vary and will depend on each organisation's internal risk mitigation strategies. You should check directly with the requesting party about how old your police check certificate can be for them to accept it.

Whilst most online police checks in Victoria are dispatched within 24 hours, issuance of a police check certificate to an applicant can take longer if Australian Police agencies see the need for a ‘manual review’. If required, checks get referred for manual processing automatically. A manual review may occur when a person has a name that is similar to someone in the country who has criminal history or is of interest to Australian police agencies. This process may lead to a delay in the applicant getting their certificate and can take anywhere from 1 to 15+ days. Our system will automatically dispatch your police check Victoria on the same day that it is received.

Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of Australian National Checks to predict which application/applicants may be automatically referred for manual processing. Checks being referred for manual processing is most common for applicants who have commonly used names.

A Police Check Victoria contains a list of disclosable court outcomes (DCOs) and records such as court summons, court sentences, offences, and pending cases within Australia (if any). Offences are disclosed in accordance with the spent convictions scheme. They may include:

• Traffic offences, domestic and public violence and others for which the person was convicted.
• Infractions of the law, community orders, sanctions and suspended sentences.

Spent convictions in accordance with Australia’s spent convictions scheme will not be shown on a police check result for applicants that apply in Victoria.

An offence can be classified as spent if:

• 5 years have elapsed if the applicant was convicted as a minor.
• Ten years have elapsed if the applicant was convicted as an adult.

• Findings of non-guilt.
• Convictions outside the country.
• Diversion programs.
• Punitive measures by third party institutions or other professional bodies/unions.
• Offences outside the jurisdiction of Australian police agencies / courts.

Police checks for individuals in Victoria provide a record of an individual’s criminal history (if any), and provide decision makers with important information for placing persons with vulnerable people or within a position of trust. Overall, the checks are aimed at improving community and workplace safety.

Australian National Character Check is an accredited service approved by the Australian Federal Government to conduct nationally coordinated criminal history checks.

The criminal record check issued by Australian National Character Check is valid nationwide and hence within Victoria (VIC).

When you apply for a police check in Victoria, in essence you are also applying for the following:

Police Check in NSW
Police Check in QLD
Police Check in SA
Police Check in Tasmania
Police Check in NT
Police Check in WA
Police Check in ACT

We provide a 100% online solution for businesses and workplaces to meet employer compliance requirements when hiring or recruiting new staff. Contact us today to find out how Australian National Character Check can help make your organisation safer and compliant.