FAQ’S

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

A police check is properly known as a “Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check” or NCCHC. The NCCHC is a national check of your history against criminal databases in all states of Australia. It is conducted with your informed consent to determine your suitability for employment, a position of trust or as required by legislation.

How to get a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

How to obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check is easy with Elite Screening Australia. Just go to our START A CHECK page where we show you how to apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check with our easy online process.

How long does a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check last?

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks are a valid point in time check. What this means is that how long a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check is valid for will vary from person to person. A crime can be committed at any time after the date of the check and the only way to know this is to perform another check. For this reason, an employer may want to recheck the criminal record of their employees periodically.

How much is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) costs $43.50 including GST. You can apply for one through Elite Screening Australia here.

What is the difference between a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check and Australian Federal Police (AFP) checks?

There is a difference between Australian nationally coordinated criminal history checks (NCCHCS) and Australian Federal Police checks (AFP). You can only obtain a Federal Police check from the Australian Federal Police. Please note that for immigration, visa purposes, employment in Commonwealt facilities, or working in the ACT you must supply an Australian Federal Police Check. Refer to the Australian Federal Police for more details. An Australian nationally coordinated criminal history check is suitable for industry accreditations. paid positions, positions of trust. NCCHC checks are available for Industries such as education, health, banking and finance, childcare, mining, construction and recruitment.

Where is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check valid?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check or NCCHC issued by Elite Screening Australia via the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is valid in all states and territories of Australia including ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA. It may also be recognised in some overseas jurisdictions.

What does a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check show?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Certificate lists an individual’s disclosable court outcomes and pending charges (that is, where a person has been charged with an offence but has not yet been to court) sourced from databases of all Australian police services. Certain convictions, such as spent or juvenile convictions, may not show up on a police check in accordance with the legislation and policies of the various state police services.

How far back does a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check go?

Legislation commonly referred to as ‘spent convictions’ exists in all Australian states and territories limiting the disclosure of certain older offences once a period of time passes during which a person has committed no further offences and is generally 10 years. Some offences are never spent like sex offences. Similarly, applicants who require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check for working with children or other jobs like disability, aged and health care may find that all offences they have committed – regardless of how long ago those offences were – are released on a certificate.

Is Elite Screening Australia accredited to obtain Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check on individuals?

Elite Screening Australia is accredited body with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). This allows Elite Screening Australia to submit a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check request on your behalf to ACIC. Elite Screening Australia does not have direct access to criminal databases.

Who is the ACIC?

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is an Australian Government agency responsible for facilitating access to nationally coordinated criminal history checks. The ACIC do not provide criminal history information directly to the public, rather they facilitate check requests from accredited bodies like us. All Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check enquiries should be directed to Elite Screening Australia.

Can anyone apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

We allow any person, from any country, who currently or has previously lived in Australia to apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check. If you under 18 years of age, you will need to get consent from your parent/guardian to request a check. We will not send results to addresses outside of Australia either physically or digitally.

Can I apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check on behalf of or about someone else?

Yes, but only if they provide their informed consent by co-signing the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check application form and confirming that they understand our terms of use and privacy policy with particular regards to the use of their personal police information.

How will I receive the result of my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

We offer the choice of having the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check Certificate securely emailed to you for speed and convenience or it can be posted to the name and address specified by the the applicant in their application form.

How can I check the progress of my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

As above, most Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check are completed and posted within one business day of Elite Screening Australia receiving the application. You should allow for 10 working days before contacting us about the progress of your application. If you haven’t received your certificate in this time, please contact us. You should only contact Elite Screening Australia about the progress of your nationally coordinated criminal History check. Do not contact ACIC.

Why do I have to state the purpose of my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

Elite Screening Australia cannot undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check without the purpose being clearly stated. Due to exclusions in Spent Convictions legislation, there may be different results released according to the purpose for which the check is required.

What is an NCCHC?

NCCHC stands for Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and is the proper name that ACIC uses to correct loose terms like “police check”, “criminal history”, etc; which can be misleading. An NCCHC contains your personal information, and any relevant police information about you, according to the purpose of your NCCHC. The NCCHC describes both the checking process undertaken by the ACIC and police, and the result received by Elite Screening Australia on your behalf.

What do I do if I change my address before receiving my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

If you change your address before receiving notification that your certificate has been posted, please contact us to change the certificate address. Otherwise, you should contact Australia Post regarding a mail redirection.

I applied for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check online but forgot to include some details. What should I do?

You should contact us immediately. Do not lodge a new/updated application unless we advise you to.

I just submitted an application online but found out that I don’t need it. Can I get a refund?

No. Once you submit the application processing commences immediately. It is your responsibility to make sure that the check you’ve requested is suitable for the purpose you need it for.

Are there any limitations on the accuracy and use of the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check?

The accuracy and quality of a police check depends on accurate identification of the applicant (including aliases) according to the information provided in the application form and the comprehensiveness of police records. Whilst every care will be taken to conduct a search of Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check information held by Australian Police agencies that relates to the applicant, the check result report may not include all criminal history information. Reasons for this include correct name matching and the operation of laws that prevent disclosure of certain criminal history information.

I don’t have enough identification?

Without sufficient identification, we simply can not process any checks. There are no exceptions to this. Established pathways exist for persons without enough ID to build up or rebuild these documents. There are options available to all members of the community. Feel free to contact our support team via admin@elitescreeningaustralia.com.au should you need help with this.

How will I know if Elite Screening Australia (ESA) has registered my NCCHC application?

Your application is registered once you have completed the online form, uploaded your documents and paid the fee. You will receive a reference number via email with your ESA reference number confirming submission. Please retain this reference as proof of submission.