Disclosable Court Outcomes on a police check?

Disclosable Court Outcomes on a police check. What are they?

There are a number of reasons why an organisation may request your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. However, depending on the discretion of the organisation, they likely assess your suitability for what you apply for based on the details of your Disclosable Court Outcomes.

What are Disclosable Court Outcomes?

When you apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, there are two possible results:

1. Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCOs)
2. No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCOs)

If you have any conviction, pending charge or criminal offence convicted by a legal court, they all appear in your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check or AFP Check.

Some categories of DCOs that appear on Police Checks are;

• Sexually related offences
• Traffic charges for which an individual is convicted in a court
• All Sentences and Convictions
• Pending court charges and offences
• Serious assault related offences
• Other offences not under the Spent convictions scheme

Spent Convictions: Depending on the State’s legislation or the applicable spent convictions scheme, some offences are not included in your DCOs. In Victoria, NO spent convictions are shown are employment related police clearances.

Spent convictions are offences which after some years, or meeting some conditions are expunged from an individual’s updated Police Check. Some of these conditions are;

• Ten (10) consecutive years of the waiting period has elapsed since the person was convicted of the crime (in an adult court).
• Five (5) consecutive years of the waiting period has elapsed since the person was convicted of the crime (in a youth court/as a juvenile).

It also follows that;

• The individual must not be convicted of any punishable offence during this waiting period, or 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, some offences can never be classified as “spent” no matter the period elapsed. These offences are considered “Serious” and always appear in an individual’s Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. Some of these offences are;

• Sexually related convictions
• Convictions against corporate organisations and institutions
• Convictions stated by the regulations/Court sentencing
• Convictions for which a prison sentence of six or more months is imposed

No Disclosable Court Outcomes

Applicants that have their Police Check return with NDCOs have passed a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check application. It means they have no Police/conviction history that is considered releasable or “serious” or no convictions at all.

“Offences” not included as DCOs

Most people have a certain fear of their convictions, history or criminal records and fret over what will be displayed on their Criminal history checks. However, not all your offences are considered Disclosable – including the spent convictions.

Some offences are not “serious”, or they lack the jurisdiction to be included in your DCOs

These offences are, and are not limited to;

• Convictions outside the country.
• Diversion programs.
• Spent Convictions
• Punitive measures by third party institutions or other professional bodies/unions.
• Offences outside the jurisdiction of Australian police agencies/courts

Where are my DCOs sourced from?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCHC) is a nationwide check program that lists all the disclosable police/criminal records of an individual from all the States and Territories in Australia. So if you have lived in a different state where you got a conviction, it will likely appear in whichever Police Check you apply for.

The Australian Police Check is valid throughout the nation and for employment or volunteering related purposes. It captures all criminal records of an individual via each State and local Police database.

What is a Police Check used for?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is not only a useful and standard check to ascertain individual suitability for a role, it is also mandatory for some purposes. A person who wants to volunteer in an aged care role must submit an updated Police Check. Public vehicle drivers, nannies, Healthcare workers, Teachers, and co must also provide a valid Criminal Record Check.

Here are some purposes for which you need a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check;

• Licensing (Firearms, Schools and co)
• Employment and Recruiting (financial roles, caregivers, working in child-related roles, and co.)
• Working with elderly community members like police checks for aged care sector
• Contracts (Real Estate, Freelancing)
• Police Checks for clubs and community organisations

Can a Police Check expire?

A Police Check is a point in time check and remains valid from the point of issue. You may continue using your Police Check certificate until you apply for an updated Police check. However, most organisations or agencies will not accept a Check certificate older than three (3) months.

When interpreting a Police Check, different agencies/organisations use discretion based on their risk mitigation strategy. That is why an individual should apply for an updated Police Check when applying for a new role (especially when their previous Checks are older than 3 months).

If you are convicted of an offence within this period, you should apply for an updated Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and inform your company.

Who can apply for a Police Check?

Anyone can apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. Getting your check also provides you with knowledge of your convictions history and DCOs. People who know the details of their convictions (if any) begin to seek other means to mitigate the effect on their future activities.

How long does it take to process a Police Check?

When you apply online, you will typically get an Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check posted in your personal portal within 1 hour of your application. The remaining that get referred for manual processing may take up to 10 business days. The applications can be completed via a PC, Tablet or mobile device, including the payment required.

Applying through Worker Checks online portal is fast, efficient, and as it is 100% online  – you can do it a your convenience!