Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

General

What is the benefit to workers or business in registering with WorkerChecks.com? 

Workerchecks.com provides a single window to view and share the clearance status of workers (or anybody requiring our check products).

For  those Working with Children (age<18), you will need to supply your  WWCC / Blue Card and workerchecks.com can supplement this with Continuing National Police  Checks industry best practice –  see FAQ 2 below) We screen WWCC weekly and  these results are available in App, with updates and alerts included as a part of the service.

Why should you supplement Working with Children Checks with continuing National Police Checks

To close loopholes…
Jurisdictions which purport to monitor those who hold WWCC only monitor offences within their own jurisdiction, with interstate and Commonwealth offences only checked at the point of renewal, every 2-5 years. 


This  means that a person could hold a valid check, commit an offence against  a child in another state, and continue to hold a valid check for up to 5  more years – a gaping hole in the process.*Supplementing WWCC with continuing  National Police Checks will reduce the threat posed by this loophole*
As noted in the Royal Commission into , two of the major weaknesses in the WWCC system are: 

  • Once a person holds a WWCC, the continuous monitoring does not include monitoring of national criminal history records.
  • Hence, people are able to ‘forum shop’, whereby a person with adverse  records in one jurisdiction may be able to obtain a clearance in another  jurisdiction where the adverse records are not available.

*Supplementing WWCC with continuing  National Police Checks will reduce the threat posed by this loophole* 

What is a blockchain and why do you use it?

In addition to bank grade information security – Workerchecks.com  is built on and stores check records on our  proprietary  “private blockchain” – in conjunction with our sister technology company – BlockChain Mate.

This means even in the extremely unlike event of system penetration – it is impossible for attackers to alter the data stored on the blockchain. 

BlockChain Mate  provides invitation-only, subscription-based, ultra-secure series of application specific, private blockchains.

Learn more about out internationally award  recognised private blockchain solutions fro certification & compliance at blockchainmate.com

Are there any limitations on the accuracy and use of the Police Check?

  1. The accuracy and quality of this National Police History Check (NPHC) depends on accurate identification of the Applicant (including aliases) according to the information provided in the Application Form and the comprehensiveness of police records.
  2. Whilst every care has been taken to conduct a search of Police History Information held by Australian Police Agencies that relate to the Applicant, the police check report may not include all Police History Information. Reasons for this include correct name matching and the operation of laws that prevent disclosure of certain police history information.
  3. The NPHC is a point in time check and should not be relied upon for an unreasonable amount of time.
  4. To the extent permitted by law, all information provided in this report is made available for use on the following conditions
  • WorkerChecks.com makes no representation or warranty of any kind without limitation in respect to accuracy;
  • The information in a police check report should form only one part of any process for determining a person’s suitability for any entitlement, profession, undertaking, appointment or employment.
  • To the extent permitted by law, WorkerChecks.com accepts no responsibility or liability for any error or omission in the information.

The information provided on the police check report has been obtained according to the following process:

  • WorkerChecks.com using the National Police Checking Service searches a central index for potential matches with the name(s) of the Applicant;
  • The National Police Checking Service compares name matches with Police History Information held in Australian police records;
  • The National Police Checking Service identifies any Police History Information held in their police records and releases the information subject to relevant spent convictions, non-disclosure legislation, reasons for check/check purposes or information release policies;
  • The National Police Checking Service provides a result of the NPHC to WorkerChecks.com indicating that a record of Police History Information relating to the Applicant is held or not; and
  • The National Police Checking Service provides that Police History Information to WorkerChecks.com

Are there any types of Police Checks you cannot process?

Yes. Here is a list of check types we cannot process.

Whilst this list is not exhaustive, you are best to consult the relevant industry body/organisation to determine which police checks they will accept:

  • Australian Citizenship
  • Northern Territory Department Of Motor Vehicle Registration
  • Business Licencing Authority Victoria
  • Court officials
  • Immigration
  • Judges, Magistrates, Jurors, Justices of the Peace
  • Visa Applications
  • Overseas Immigration Departments
  • Personal Insurance Claims
  • Police Checks For Working Overseas
  • Police Recruits
  • QLD Department of Commerce Real Estate/Sales Agents
  • Queensland Office of Fair Trading (for Real Estate Licenses)
  • Requirements for Foreign Embassies
  • Australian Electoral Commission Positions
  • VicRoads applications
  • Victorian Business Licencing Authority 
  • Victorian Correctional Officer
  • Victorian IVF Requirements
  • Police checks for individuals 16 or under
  • Victorian Real Estate License
  • NSW Racing
  •  Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC) 
  • Victorian Taxi Directorate
  • WA dangerous goods license
  • WA Charitable Collections licence
  • QBCC Industry Licensing and Accreditation
  • applicants who are under 13 years of age.

Can I get an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance through WorkerChecks.com?

No. AFP Clearances can only be obtained through the Australian Federal Police.

For more information regarding AFP Police Clearances click here

Can you provide a Working with Children Check?

No.

A screening unit has been set up in each state and territory to conduct Working with Children Checks and issue the resulting cards, registrations or permits.

The following state and territory screening units are the only organisations allowed, under legislation, to conduct Working with Children Checks: 

ACT: Access Canberra

NSW: Office of the Children’s Guardian

NT: Northern Territory Government

QLD: Queensland Department of Justice & Attorney- General – Blue Card Services

SA: Department of Human Services South Australia

TAS: Department of Justice Tasmania

VIC: Department of Justice & Regulation Victoria

WA: Department of Communities Western Australia

Can you provide a Working with Children Checks in South Australia

No.

From 1 July 2019, all individuals who undertake work with children will require a universal background check conducted by the Department of Human Services, South Australia.

Until now, authorities have required a police check but not necessarily one conducted by the Department of Human Services, South Australia.

Laws taking effect from 1 July 2019 will impose the same combined check for everyone working or volunteering with children. These professions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Teachers of preschool, primary and secondary students
  • Childcare workers
  • Emergency services
  • Health workers
  • Children’s party entertainers
  • Ministers of religion
  • Volunteer workers

For a Working with Children’s Check in South Australia you will need to contact the Department of Human Services.

How long do you keep police checks for?

All police history information is kept for 3 months as per our ACIC accreditation requirements. All police history information is destroyed after 3 months.

You are able to obtain a copy of your police check within 3 months. After this, a new police check application will be required.

How long does it take to process a police check?

On average, 70%-75% of all National Criminal History Check applications are processed within 1-2 business days from the day we have received your completed application .

The remaining lodgements are processed with best endeavours in 10-12 business days, however, there are some circumstances (which are beyond our control) where the application can take longer to process.

Please ensure you allow yourself adequate time to receive your police check just in case your application requires manual investigation.

You will be advised via email updates in relation to the status of your application.

More information about how the service works is available here

What do I do if I am concerned about all my known names being disclosed on my police check?

All names under which you have been or are currently known will be included on your Police Check.

If you are concerned about the disclosure of details relating to your previous known names, please contact WorkerChecks.com via our support  email: 

ask@workerchecks.com

What happens if my National Criminal History Check hasn’t been returned within 2 days?

Your police check may have been flagged for further review if it has been matched against somebody on the database with a similar name, gender and/or date of birth. When this occurs, there is a process of review into the application, in consultation with each of Australia’s police agencies, to resolve the match.

Usually, the check request is finalised in approximately 10-12 business days. However, there may be instances where it takes longer.

Once the results of the application have been finalised, we will then generate your National Criminal History Check Results and dispatch them to you via your selected dispatch method (either Instant eDelivery or post).

Do I need to contact you if I haven’t heard from you in 2 days?

No, there is no need to contact us. You will receive email updates in relation to the status of your lodgement.

You will also receive a second SMS/Email as soon as the results have been returned from ACIC. Then we will automatically dispatch them to you either via your selected dispatch method (either Instant eDelivery or post).

Can I call ACIC to discuss my police check progress?

No, ACIC cannot discuss the progress of your application. All questions should be directed to WorkerChecks.com

My National Criminal History Check application has flagged, can I speed up the process?

No – WorkerChecks.com monitors progress of all flagged checks regularly. We are reliant on the police services providing us with the information that populates your police check.

I have never been to court so why has my check been flagged?

Your check still may be flagged for further review if it has been matched against somebody on the database with a similar name, gender and/or date of birth. When this occurs, there is a process of review into the application, in consultation with each of Australia’s police agencies, to resolve the match.

There is no way to tell whether a check will be flagged as a potential match. On average 75% are generally processed within 1-2 business days. The remaining 25% of all checks will be flagged as a potential match.

What happens when an applicant’s Police Check is flagged for further review?

A Police Check that is flagged for further review is a systems generated response that advises the relevant Police Partner agency of a potential match.

The Police Partner Agencies will then draw on relevant information to manually determine the following: 

  • Not a match or;
  • a confirmed match and release the police history information to WorkerChecks.com accordingly.

If there is not a match

Matching by the Police Partner Agency determines that the Applicant is not a match. The police check will be released with a result of No Disclosable Court Outcomes to WorkerChecks.com who will then dispatch your police check via your selected dispatch method.

If there is a confirmed match

Matching by the Police Partner Agency determines that there is a match. The police check application then moves into the vetting stage.

Request for Further Information (RFI)

In some instances, the Police Partner Agency may need additional information to assist in making a matching decision. To do this, the Police Partner Agency may raise a RFI through the.

The RFI will generally take the form of additional address details, photo ID or requesting an Applicant attend a police station to submit a fingerprint sample.

It is the responsibility of National Crime to ensure that RFIs are completed and to liaise with the Applicant to obtain the relevant information.

Vetting

Once a confirmed match has been determined, the Police Partner Agency undertakes vetting of the relevant Police History Information (PHI) held on its systems. Vetting involves applying relevant legislation and/or policy to the PHI, to determine what can be released. The Police Partner Agency also takes into account the category and purpose of the Police Check to determine the type and amount of information that is released. The Police Check then goes into the Final Vetting stage.

Final Vetting

The coordinating Police Partner Agency is responsible for reviewing the vetted results and applying its own legislation/policy to determine what PHI will be released to WorkerChecks.com.

Results released

A NPHC result through NSS will either be:

• No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO)

– There is no PHI that can be released to the submitting organisation

• Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO)

– PHI exists that can be released to the submitting organisation. The PHI may include:

charges;

court convictions, including any penalty or sentence;

findings of guilt with no conviction;

court appearances;

good behaviour bonds or other court orders, and/or

pending matters awaiting court hearing.

What is a National Criminal History Check?

A National Criminal History Check involves identifying and releasing any relevant Criminal History Information (CHI) subject to relevant spent convictions/non-disclosure legislation and/or information release policies.

This is a process that involves all Australian police services.

In addition the National Criminal History Check report contains:

  • A date of issue
  • All names you have been known by
  • Date of Birth;
  • Your primary residential address.

We can monitor Working with Children Checks by screening weekly – free of charge

– If you wish to register as a worker who will be working with children, you will need a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).

For orgainsations who hold an account to screen workers – if the worker has a WWCC – we will screen weekly at no additional cost.  Results will be available in your business portal. If there is a check discrepancy – you will receive an alert.

WWCC  are only processed through the statutory organisations in each state –  the contact details and websites for more information on the application  process can be found below.

Once you have received your check – we welcome you to add it to your “check passport” and register it with workerchecks.com