Will a criminal record cause delay with my police check?

If you already expect that your National Police Clearance will contain details of a criminal record, there are several reasons why your results might take longer to process. Most checks are completed quickly, but some applications require a manual review by police agencies to confirm the accuracy of information before issuing results.

Possible Causes of Delay of your Police Check

• Legal technicalities and legislation differences: Each state and territory in Australia applies its own laws and spent conviction schemes, which can affect what information is released.
• Jurisdiction of the offence: The police jurisdiction where an offence took place may need to confirm or verify the record, especially if multiple jurisdictions are involved.
• Disclosure decisions: The decision process determines whether a previous conviction or charge is legally disclosable as part of the results. This depends on the purpose of the check, the relevance of the information, and the role the applicant is applying for (e.g., pre-employment screening).

Understanding the Review Process for Police Checks

When potential matches are found between your details and existing criminal records, your check is sent for a manual assessment. This process ensures that only relevant and legally permitted information appears in your final result. The assessment is handled confidentially by authorised police jurisdictions in line with ACIC policy.

How Long Can a Delay Last?

Most delayed police checks are finalised within a few business days. However, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of jurisdictions involved, it can take longer, sometimes several weeks. Worker Checks will notify you as soon as your results are released.

Tips to Avoid Delays for your Police Check

• Ensure all personal details and ID documents exactly match your application.
• List all previous names and aliases to avoid mismatches.
• Avoid duplicate submissions while a check is still being processed.

Still Need Help?

If your check has been delayed or you have questions about your results, please start a chat with our support by clicking the chat icon in top menu.

We’re happy to assist you in understanding your results and next steps.