How to get a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check in Queensland QLD

The information on this webpage is to be read in conjunction with this disclaimer:
Australian National Character Check (ANCC) makes every effort to provide updated and accurate information to its customers. However due to the continuously changing nature of legislations for the Commonwealth and various States and Territories, it is inevitable that some information may not be up to date. The information on the website is general information only. The contents on the website do not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or professional advice. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, suitability, accuracy or availability with respect to the information.

A person hoping to obtain employment, or some form of accreditation, Australia will generally need their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result. More than ever, even private organisations are testifying to the importance of a nationally coordinated criminal history check result, and they include it in their requirements.

Applicants can obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check via the Australian National Character Check website. Most results are dispatched in 24 hours with the reamini that get referred for manual processing taking up 15+ business days.

However, it is also surprising that many people lack the basic knowledge about obtaining a nationally coordinated criminal history check. Here we will explain the entire process every applicant can follow to get a legitimate check result.

Where do you get a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check?

The process for obtaining a check is so easy that an applicant can complete the entire process online within 15 minutes or so.

1. Online application

If you apply online via accredited services like Australian National Character Check, you may receive your certificate quicker as the process is online and results are dispatched via email on the same day they are received.

With your mobile, PC or Tablet device, log on to the portal of ANCC, and begin the process of completing the online application forms. The applicant must provide verification details for the data they provide (it can be completed online).

The online process is convenient, smooth and generally faster. Around 70% of applicants that apply via this method will get their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check delivered via email within 48 hours or so. It is important to note that a large number of applicants (approximately 20%) also have their checks referred for manual processing by the national checking database and this will delay their check by up to 15 business days. Checks can get referred for manual processing regardless of who you apply from (ANCC or a local police force).

2. I don't prefer applying online

Apply through your local police office in Queensland

Those who prefer to apply in person can begin an application by visiting their local police office. This method may require several trips to the local police office or a Post office to verify and submit your identification documents.

This method may not be suited for persons on a busy schedule but may be more suitable for persons that do not know how to use a computer.

The Local Post office

Applicants can also submit and verify their details through the local Australia post office. Like applying via the local police office, the process is partly paper-based and requires physical presence at the post office.

What IDs do I need to apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check application compares data in the national police and criminal records with the applicant's details. When submitting your data, always make sure to cross-check and have a corroborating ID that pronounces;

• Your full name
• Date of Birth
• A verifiable photograph should be present in any of the IDs you provide.

Any of this information is verified by submitting photos of the following identification documents. The identification documents that are required for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check are used by ANCC to verify the applicant's identity and ensure it is the applicant who is applying for the check and not anyone else.

1. One (1) Commencement of ID document;
✔ Australian Passport,

✔ Australian Birth Certificate,

✔ Australian Visa,

✔ Document of Identity (issued by DFAT)

✔ Certificate of Identity (issued by DFAT)


2. One (1) Primary Use in Community Document;
✔ Australian Marriage certificate,

✔ Current Passport,

✔ Current firearms license,

✔ Valid Australian driver's license, and other approved documents as requested on the online forms


3. One (1) Secondary Use in Community Document;
✔ Medicare card,

✔ ATM or Key card,

✔ Bank statement,

✔ Credit reference check,

✔ Trusted referees report as per approved template,

✔ Australian utility bill,

✔ Australian Taxation Office Notice, and other approved documents as requested on the online forms

In case of a Change of Name

If any of the identification documents you provide are addressed by your former name (if you have changed your name), you must provide evidence of a change of name. You could provide

• A change of name certificate issued by the QLD Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
• A Queensland (Australian) Marriage certificate issued by the QLD registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

All these should be provided in addition to the three documents you have produced above.

Note that Church or celebrant-issued certificates are not accepted as a legal document verifying any of the above.

How to apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check online

Follow these simple 6 steps in 15 minutes or so and receive your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check results online.

Step 1:Log on to the Australian National Character Check website for Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check applications

Step 2: Fill in the required field on the application portal. They verify all applicants through the required IDs

Step 3: Australian National Character Check will forward all applications through a secure portal to the National Police Checking Service system through secure servers.

Step 4: The applicants' information is compared against a stream of the entire criminal database in the nation.

Step 5: Result is provided to Australian National Character Check (it either comes out as No Disclosable Court outcome (NDCO) or with a Disclosable Court Outcome (DCO) and the details.

How long is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check valid?

While convictions may last for perpetuity on your police records, a particular Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result may not be relevant for long. Although Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks do not expire, organisations will not usually accept a check result older than 3 months.

a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result is a point-in-time check; an updated record of the person's police/criminal records up until the point of issue. The only way to get up-to-date records is to obtain an updated Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

Furthermore, Queensland legislation promotes responsibility in sensitive roles like;

✔ Vulnerable/Child care services e.g. working with children checks requirements

✔ Healthcare workers

✔ Aged care worker background checks

✔ Teachers, and private instructors

✔ School bus drivers

✔ Financial and other public related roles

How long does my Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check take?

Although there is no guarantee when a check result will arrive, around 70% of those that apply online through ANCC receive their nationally coordinated criminal history checks within 48 hours. Of the remaining percentage;

✔ Numerous Check Sources

Some get delayed at the national checking database due to comparing various Police and Criminal databases in the country. It occurs mostly if the applicant has changed addresses frequently or has outstanding records from other government agencies.

It can delay the time the applicant receives the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check result by 15+ business days.

✔ Other applications are delayed for “manual checking”

In some cases, the check algorithm can get held up due to potential matches in the data. It requires an official in the check agency or a police force to supervise the process.

When this happens, the application can get delayed for an additional 10-15 business days. It is called a "manual checking" process, and it is not a certainty of a finding of guilt or a disclosable court outcome (DCO).

When this happens, the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checking agencies have no influence or foreknowledge over applications flagged for "further reviews". It mostly happens automatically by the computer algorithm due to the applicant's data.

Copyright & Disclaimer

The content on this website is communicated to you on behalf of Australian National Character Check™ (ANCC®) pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (the Act).

The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction of this material may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.

You may include a link on your website pointing to this content for commercial, educational, governmental or personal use.

The contents of this website do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or professional advice.