How to Get a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Volunteering

Volunteering enables you to give back to your community through meaningful work although you need to complete specific preliminary actions. General volunteer work requires individuals to obtain background check documentation for screening purposes. Safety checks for the people and communities you will serve are implemented through this process. A volunteer check is a necessary requirement that demonstrates reliability when you help students, community centres, or vulnerable groups.

This guide explains the volunteer check requirements for Australian volunteer work and introduces methods to obtain your clearance and understand its importance.

Australian National Character Check (ANCC) provides volunteer checks to people working in Australian charity organizations.

Check timeframes: The volunteer check application form can be completed online in a matter of minutes. The majority of results are sent out within 24 business hours, if the online application form is correctly completed.

Do you work in HR in an Australian charity organization and need a volunteer check for workers? Australian National Character Check (ANCC) provides a streamlined solution for volunteer check via our business portal.

Please apply for your volunteer check via the individual portal here.

Businesses (transport, postal and warehousing industries) seeking bulk volunteer checks can apply for access to the ANCC Business Portal.

Every volunteer who works with children and elderly people or individuals with disabilities must generally submit to a background check before beginning their responsibilities.

There are multiple types of background checks for volunteer work, which vary depending on the kind of volunteer activities performed. The three most common checks are:

1. Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check: This is the most common background check required for volunteer work in Australia. It checks your criminal record across all states and territories in the country. The requirement exists for most volunteer positions to assess your criminal history, so the role remains open to you.
2. Working with Children Check: WWC becomes essential for people who intend to work directly with children in their volunteer positions. It evaluates the verification of criminal history status to prevent involvement in child abuse or related offences.
3. Working with Vulnerable People Check: Volunteer candidates working with elderly or disabled individuals may need to obtain a Working with Vulnerable Persons Check if their roles involve working with vulnerable populations and their state or territory requires it.

It is essential to determine what checks are necessary for your volunteer position before starting the background check application process. The volunteer group that you work with typically provides details about specific requirements.

People can easily obtain background checks for volunteering activities. You can perform the process through an online platform to benefit from the quick and easy application process. The procedure to get a background check for volunteer duties consists of the following basic steps:

1. Find Out What Type of Check You Need

The first step to becoming a volunteer involves determining the necessary background check type between NCCHC's,Working with Children Checks and Working with Vulnerable People Checks, followed by contacting your volunteer organisation about their legal requirements.

2. Choose a Background Check Provider

There exist several accredited providers across Australia who offer background check processing services for applications. ANCC is one of them.

3. Get the Required Information and Documents

   After identifying a suitable background check service, you must collect the necessary documents to help with your application. The documents need to vary from one background check provider to another, but usually, you will need:

   • Identification:

   This might be your passport, driver's license, or Medicare card. The background check provider will have a list of forms of ID they accept.

   • Consent for Background Check:

   You will have to provide consent to the provider to check your history.

4. Submit Your Application

Applications at background check providers may require users to submit their personal details which include their name, date of birth and complete history of addresses. Typically, identification documents are uploaded online. Users can complete the application through an easy online system which guides them through the process step by step. After submission to the provider, they perform the check.

5. Wait for Your Background Check Results

Results from background checks need time to arrive after your application submission. The certificate or registration may result in a quicker return when there are no matching police records. The verification process will take longer when additional checks are necessary or if you have any criminal history.

6. Review the Background Check Outcome

After a background check, you will receive a certificate confirming no criminal history in Australia, which can be submitted to your volunteer organization as proof of suitability. Your past convictions will not necessarily prevent you from participating in volunteer work. You need to have direct talks with your organization about your criminal history because most groups evaluate the nature as well as the connection of your court pleadings.

7. Submit the Background Check to Your Volunteer Organization

After obtaining the results of your background check, hand in the certificate to your volunteer organization which may want it in hard copy or electronically. Adhere to the guidelines provided by the organization and remember whether there are further checks like the Working with Children Check and if they need to be done.

Organisations have their own policies and legal requirements on criminal records. It is essential to discuss your record with the organisation.

1. Why is a background check required for volunteers?

It ensures the safety of vulnerable people (children, the elderly, and the disabled) by confirming that volunteers have no relevant criminal history.

2. How do I know which background check I need?

Check with your volunteer organisation to confirm the required background check.

3. How do I apply for a background check?
• Determine the required check.
• Choose an accredited provider.
• Submit your ID and other required documents.
• Wait for the results
• Submit the certificate to your organisation.
4. What documents are needed?

Typically, ID (passport, driver's license) and address history for the last 5 years.

Having a background check for volunteering is necessary to enable you to safely and reliably contribute to society. You can finish their background check application through straightforward steps provided by reliable online providers. Submit your application through the volunteer organisation's online platform after obtaining all required documentation. The check processing will move you toward a position where you can make meaningful positive changes in your community. The background check process enables volunteers to support community activities by providing secure and meaningful work opportunities.