Police check for residents in NSW (2024)

Are you a resident of NSW and need a police check? Get your police check online now.

Australian National Character Check™ makes obtaining a nationally coordinated criminal history check simple for residents in the state of New South Wales (NSW).

This police check for residents based in NSW is formally referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check.

The police check application can be completed securely from a computer, mobile-phone or tablet. The check is valid throughout Australia including Sydney and the rest of New South Wales (NSW).

70 percent of police checks are returned to applicants via email within 24 hours. Approximately 30 percent of checks may be referred to one or more police agencies (including those outside of NSW) and can take longer than 10 business days to be returned, due to the manual nature of this process.

Applicants can pay securely online via a credit card, debit card or via PayPal.

If you require police checks on behalf of a company or organisation in NSW, please register for the Australian National Character Check (ANCC) business portal.

*If applicants require a certificate issued directly by the New South Wales Police Force, this can only be obtained through the New South Wales Police Force. Australian National Character Check is not affiliated with the New South Wales Police Force and applicants must obtain one directly through their website. This process may also require applicants to visit a JP, police officer or other authorised parties to attest identification (ID) documents.

Page Contents

• 1. Start a new nationally coordinated criminal history check

• 2. What is shown on a police check?

• 3. Where is my police check valid?

• 4. How long is a police check in NSW valid?

• 5. Why do organisations in NSW ask for police checks?

• 6. How do I get a police check online in NSW?

• 7. What identification documents do I need?

• 8. Accredited police check for residents in NSW

• 9. What is the spent convictions scheme in NSW?

• 10. Nationally coordinated criminal history checks for businesses in NSW

Who do you need a police check for?
Select an option below to begin:

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check lists an individual’s disclosable court outcomes (DCOs) sourced from the databases of all Australian police agencies.

The results that are provided on a check will outline whether the applicant who is the subject of the check has No Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO) or Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO). Further information about a NDCO and DCO result is given below:

• NDCO means there is:
• No police information that is currently held against the applicant
• No police information that can be released or disclosed according to the purpose and category of the police check and the application of relevant spent convictions legislations and/or information release policies.
• DCO means there is:
• Police information that can be released on the nationally coordinated criminal history check

A nationally coordinated criminal history check result that contains a DCO may list the following police information on the certificate:

• Charges in Australia
• Court convictions, including penalties and sentences
• Findings of guilt with no conviction
• Court appearances in Australia
• Good behaviour bonds or other court orders
• Matters awaiting court hearing
• Warrants and/or warnings
• Traffic offences.

Police checks are usually requested by an individual’s employer, organisation or an authorised third party. Only the decision maker requesting the background check can decide whether or not they want an updated version of the individual’s police check.

A police check is a “point in time check” meaning it has no set expiry date. Most employers in NSW do not accept a police check that is older than three months from the date of issue.

Decision makers in most organisations have a duty to protect their employees, customers and brand image when they recruit staff. A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check can assist decision makers to meet this obligation.

Every recruiter has a duty to protect and shield the public image and culture of their organisation and also ensure that an employee is not of harm to the organisation or the customers.

Decision makers in NSW commonly utilise a police check to help assist with their decision making and risk mitigation strategies.

An individual can request for their nationally coordinated criminal history check (police check) in the state of NSW through the Australian National Character Check (ANCC®) website. The application process can be completed online.

Applicants that apply through Australian National Character Check do experience a difference in speed and efficiency when obtaining their police check online. 70 percent of nationally coordinated criminal history checks are returned to applicants within 24 hours. Approximately 30 percent of checks may be referred to one or more police agencies and can take longer than 10 business days to be returned, due to the manual nature of this process.

Results are emailed on the same day they are received. Overall, applicants in NSW save time and cost when applying for their police check online.

Some of the information an applicant will be requested includes and is not limited to;

• All names that the applicant is known by (past and present inlcuding aliases)
• The applicant’s Date of Birth
• Copies of identification documents that should equal at least one commencement, one primary and two secondary identification documents (four ID documents in total).
• A biometric link (e.g. a selfie) which establishes liveness and linkage between the applicant and the application form.
• Informed consent of the applicant and informed consent from parents for applicants under the age of 18

Lastly, we understand that trying to recruit suitable staff while juggling the need to comply with the employers rule can be quite stressful and Australian National Character Check helps businesses and workplaces in NSW to meet the requirements for employing candidates in their organisations.

Applicants should note that the check on this website is formally referred to as a nationally coordinated criminal history check and is not issued by a state or territory police force. If you would like a check that is issued by a state or territory police force, please contact the criminal records section of your state or territory police force.

When applying for a nationally coordinated criminal history check, you need certain documents (four in total) to complete the application process. These four documents are divided into three categories and will assist ANCC to check and confirm your identity.

When filling out the application form, you must provide the following categories of ID documents:

• ✔ One (1) Commencement of ID document
• ✔ One (1) Primary Use in the Community Document
• ✔ Two (2) Secondary Use in Community Documents.

Australian National Character Check is an accredited service approved by the Australian Federal Government. The product that we provide is referred to as a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We strive to provide our Australian community including residents in NSW with a timely, accurate and quality service.

Do you need police checks for your workers in NSW? Register for the ANCC® Business Portal today.

ANCC® provides an online background check solution for approved businesses and workplaces to meet employer compliance requirements when hiring or recruiting staff.

Contact us today via email or Live Chat to find out how Australian National Character Check can streamline police checks for decision makers at your workplace.