How much does a police check cost?

Despite the numerous uses and importance of a Police Check certificate, applying for one is not as expensive as you might think.

We know that currently, it is almost impossible for a person to secure a job, get a license, accreditation, or any other thing in a sensitive field, without a valid national criminal history check certificate.

However, there are different procedures to apply for a Police Check, and there might be a slight variation in the cost depending on the procedure you choose.

When you apply through ANCC’s online application portal, you not only get a valid Check completed and returned mostly within 24 to 48 hours (in most circumstances) but pay only the base cost of $48.90 (forty eight dollars and ninety cents)

Payment options include via a credit or debit Card or PayPal. Visa, Mastercard and American express are accepted.

Overall, applicants save time and cost when obtaining their police check online via ANCC.

Methods to apply for a Police Check

1. Online application;

If you apply via Australian National Character Check (ANCC) portal, your application gets returned mostly within 24 to 48 hours. The checks that get referred for manual processing will take up to 15 business days. The entire application process is online and can be completed via your PC, Tablet, or mobile devices as long as you have an internet connection.

Most applicants choose this method as it is more convenient, safer and overall cheaper.

2. Through the post office or a local police authority

Individuals can also apply for a national criminal history check certificate via a local state or territory based police agency or the post office. However, this method may be in-person and may include certifying identification documents in person or getting them attested. It may not be convenient for people with tight schedules.

Prices for a check via these agencies are determined by the agency themselves however the cost will not vary substantially.

How can I pay for and get the national criminal history check online?

To complete an online application for the Police Check

1. Using your internet-enabled device, log on to through a secure browser to the https://www.australiannationalcharactercheck.com.au/Police-Check-Application.html
2. Select Start a New Check in the options and Proceed to answer the questions
3. Verify the email address and make payment. Hard copy certificates will cost an additional fee.
4. Fill the required fields correctly and carefully
5. Cross-Check the information you have provided before submitting

What are the required IDs for completing a Police Check application?

Identification (ID) documents required for a police check can be uploaded online when completing the check application online via ANCC.

✔ One (1) Commencement of ID document (Birth certificates, Australian Passport, Visa, Immicard/citizenship cert, and co.)

✔ One (1) Primary Use in Community Document (Driver’s License, Marriage cert, and co)

✔ Two (2) Secondary Use in Community Document, such as; Medicare card, Student identity card, and co.

Via the entire document listed above, we must be able to verify the information provided such as;

• Your full name
• Date of Birth
• A verifiable photograph that should be present in any of the ID you provide.

Does the fee determine how long a Police Check is valid?

The Police Check document is a point-in-time check which remains valid from the point of issue. It remains valid till you dump it to apply for an updated Police Check.

However, organisations interpret criminal background check certificates depending on their internal risk mitigation strategy, and will generally not accept Police Check certificates older than 3 months. Therefore, the expiry date of your Police Check depends on the requesting party.

However, if you get a conviction during this period, you must apply for an updated Check and inform the organisation.

What is shown in a Police Check certificate?

Many people ponder about what will be displayed in their criminal record check certificate. It should be noted that not all offences are shown in your criminal history check; some offences are out of the State's or Police jurisdiction, and will not appear on the certificate.

Some of the offences that are displayed in your Police Check are;

• Sexually related offences
• Serious offences like assault
• Traffic charges which lead to a conviction
• Sentences and Convictions
• Pending court charges and offences
• Offences not under the Spent Convictions Scheme of the State
• Other convictions stipulated by the court as disclosable on the individual’s Check

Spent Offences or charges of each state and territory are exempted from a person's Police Check certificate under the State's legislation on exposure and use of Check certificates (Spent Convictions scheme). Either these offences meet certain criteria or are not considered "serious" to be included in a Police Check.

Some of the conditions that may qualify an offence to be regarded as "Spent charges" are;

• Ten (10) consecutive years have elapsed if the person was convicted of the crime (in an adult court).
• Five (5) consecutive years have elapsed if the person was convicted of the crime (in a youth court/as a juvenile) - (3 years for a NSW national criminal history check)

Following that;

• The individual must not be convicted of any punishable offence during this "waiting period", else the period restarts
• If a jail term is imposed, the crime-free period begins after the jail term
• Convictions stipulated by the court to be considered as Spent if the individual meets special conditions (community works, therapy, self-quarantine, and co.)

However, offences that don’t fall under the Spent convictions scheme will always be displayed in an individual’s Police Check. These offences are not subject to exclusion by any State legislation.

Some of the offences include;

• Convictions for sexually related offences
• Convictions against corporate organisations and institutions
• Convictions stated by the regulations
• Convictions for which a prison sentence of more than six months is imposed

Convictions that don’t show in a Police Check

As mentioned earlier, not all convictions or charges qualify as a Disclosable Court Outcome (DCO); some fall out either due to jurisdiction or legal standing. Also, these offences will never show up in a police Check;

• 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.

Is my Criminal Record Check valid in all Australian States and Territories?

A Criminal Record Check issued by ANCC is a national check and is valid in all states and territories in Australia. You can apply for the nationally coordinated criminal history check in the following states and territories:

• National Criminal History Check in Tasmania (TAS)
• NCCHC in NSW
• National Police Check online in QLD
• National Criminal History Check for the ACT
• Criminal History Check in Victoria (VIC)
• Criminal Clearance Check in Western Australia (WA)
• National criminal history check in NT

Wrapping Up

When applying for a national criminal history check, always cross-check the information you have provided. Also, choose the purpose of the Police Check (employment, probity, and co). Once applications are completed and results are returned, it is impossible to alter the information.

Also, the cost of a police check issued by ANCC is $48.90.