In Australia, almost 6% of all available jobs require a police check, and on most occasions, it is the responsibility of applicants to recover this document from the relevant authorities.
Although the process might seem intimidating, it is quite a simple job. The check might seem outlandish, but it is the norm in countries that are curbing the occurrences of fraud.
For a quick verification process with less waiting time, it is recommended that you apply for an Australian police checks online because their services use the same databases and provide you with a verified certificate within hours of applying! However, before you enlist any services or proceed to a check, here are a few things to know about the process.
How is an Employment-Related Police Check carried out?
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) operates with accredited agencies to provide the National Police Check, which runs the applicant’s information against a national database for police history and provides a report or certificate of any leads.
The information displayed under this check includes:
- Court appearances and convictions (which include penalties).
- Court orders.
- Good behaviour bonds.
- Charges.
- Cases that await hearings.
Why are Pre-Employment Checks conducted?
Jobs in the healthcare, service, banking, financial, governmental, and military fields require police checks to ensure that the employer knows their employee. The employee is in a position where he or she is trusted with sensitive information and/or has high-security clearance, and a history of fraud and deceit could get in the way. Additionally, suppose the applicant is in close contact with patients and children (Working with Children Check, WWCC) in the medical and educational sectors. In that case, they are screened to ensure the safety of the consumers.
The employer’s responsibility is to ensure that their consumers are not at risk when entrusted to the employees for which a police check is required.
What are the Applicant’s Rights?
The prospective employee must be informed of the police check being a prerequisite for employment, and the check cannot be carried out without his or her consent.
Upon review, the applicant isn’t obliged to answer any questions about past convictions to his or her employer. However, any refusal to answer might be considered dishonesty and may affect the outcome.
Employers should state what they are looking for and how specific results can affect their decision beforehand to ensure understanding and no subsequent lawsuits are filed.
A history with relevance can only prevent employment, and should an applicant feel discriminated against, he or she can sue the employer. This provides job opportunities for reformed convicts or individuals with irrelevant and trivial records.
How does one apply for a check?
An application for national police checks can be quickly submitted to the local police station in Victoria. Still, for a faster and hassle-free process, one can apply for an Australian police checks online. Services online require documents as proof of identity and respond within 2 hours of submission. They operate through the same databases as ACIC, and their services are easy to enlist.
Fees and Viability of an NPC
Fees for a national police check range from $40-60, depending on which online service you enlist.
Services can deliver results in hours or days, and it is advisable to allocate a minimum of 5 days to receive your results.
A National Police Check is a report that doesn’t expire. However, companies might insist on one that has been issued within a certain timeframe. Other specific checks, such as WWCC, carry a different fee and require constant updating and monitoring across all national databases.
This might be a new and daunting process, but with online services that provide easy and straightforward police checks, you can submit your documents and let the professionals worry about the rest!