Taxi Licensing nationally coordinated criminal history checks in Australia

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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.

Australian National Character Check (ANCC®) provides Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks for the purpose of taxi licensing and accreditation in Australia.

Most checks are dispatched within 24 hours of completion with the remaining that get referred for manual processing taking longer.

Applicants can apply online using the online Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check application form.

Payment can be made securely using debit card, credit card or PayPal.

The transport services industry is literally the driving force for any economy; without public/commercial drivers, school bus drivers, and co, over 40% of the Australian population will get stuck. There are numerous Commercial Passenger Vehicles (CPV) drivers in Australia that commute both people or goods around. The CPV are categorised into different sections including;

• Taxis
• Public Buses
• School buses
• Hire Cars
• Motorcycles
• Heavy Trucks, and so on.

However, before being licensed as a public driver, you must undergo mandatory Checks and accreditations. Together with safer driving ethics, the Australian government makes sure all forms of “contract” including long and short term ones (like driving) are secure for the citizens.

Therefore before any driver becomes licensed in any state, they must undergo a Driver Accreditation. It is a vetting process that 'tells' customers that the driver meets the basic safety and security standard to commute members of the public. The Driver accreditation requirements may vary among the different States as it is aState-wise scheme.

However, the general basic requirement for a Driver accreditation in most states and territories includes;

• An Australian Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Driver Accreditation
• Medical History
• Driving History/Traffic History
• Working with vulnerable people registration (ACT)

What is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Taxi Licensing?

The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is a legal document that contains an individual's criminal records from the National database and any other Police records. It is issued by the Police authorities and the information is sourced from the National Criminal Database.

Any crimes or offences you are convicted of while on the road including drunk driving, over-speeding, reckless driving, and other convictions will likely come upon a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Taxi Licensing purposes

Where can you obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Taxi Licensing purpose?

If you are interested in driving people and goods for a reward through any vehicle, you must first register for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check in most Australian states and territories. A valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check will allow you to register for the Driver's accreditation program ofthe State.

1. You can apply for a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check online via Australian National Character Check - ANCC®

It is by many considered to be the easiest and fastest method of applying for a validand working Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. Applicants who complete the application online get their Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificates returned to them mostly within 24 hours of submitting the application.

Asides from all the processes being completed online, the application process takes a little less than 15 minutes. Individuals can apply via their PC, Tablets, or mobile devices.

Or

2. Apply through the Australian Police authorities

Applicants can obtain a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check by applying through any of the physical offices of the local Police. However, this process may be paper-based and may require a trip to the Police station to get identification documents certified or attested.

Who can apply for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Taxi Licensing in Australia?

When applying for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, it is imperative to state the purpose of the check. Most Australian State and Territory government offices will require taxi licensing applicants to input “Driver Accreditation / Licensing” as the purpose of their check. Applicants should check this with their local governmentshopfront and ensure they input the correct purpose for their check.

All Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks in Australia are conducted and released based on the purpose of the check. A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check obtained for Driver Licensing and Accreditation (Taxi licensing) will highlight more traffic-related offences.

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Driver licensing & accreditation purpose is open to all of the following professions:

✔ Taxi cab drivers

✔ Commercial Passenger Vehicle (CPV)

✔ Delivery Vehicle drivers

✔ Online or App based Taxi hailing services

✔ Truck drivers

✔ School Bus Drivers

✔ Public Bus operators

Do nationally coordinated criminal history checks for Taxi Licensing expire?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is a point-in-time check, which remains valid from the point of issue till an updated check is required. However, the requesting agency/party (this time the State Driver Accreditation Agency) determines the valid age of Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check they receive according to their risk assessment strategy.

Generally, most agencies will not accept nationally coordinated criminal history checks older than three (3) months.

What does a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Taxi Licensing reveal about an individual?

When you apply for the Australian Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, there are two possible outcomes for your police check results.

Your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate can return as;

No-Disclosable Court Outcomes (NDCO):

It means there are no releasable convictions against your name on the Criminal Database,

Disclosable Court Outcomes (DCO):

If you have releasable convictions, your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check will contain details about them.

Some of the DCOs in a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for Taxi licensing include;

• Drink driving or reckless driving offences
• Sexually related offences
• Child Violence and misdemeanours
• Traffic charges for which an individual is convicted
• Pending court charges and offences
• Other convictions stipulated by the court as disclosable on the individual's heck

What Offences do not show up in a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check?

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check certificate does not include any irrelevant offences or convictions outside a legal court. Therefore, not all offences will show in your Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. Some of these are;

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

Why should organisations request for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to granting employment in any driving related job?

• It helps your passengers trust you more; at a time where offences against commuters are increasing, customers need assurance.
• Operating as a paid driver without a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (if it is required by the local government) and a driver accreditation may land the organisation in regulatory issues.

Organisations wishing to streamline Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks for their driverscan sign up for ANCC's business portal or contact ANCC's business and enterprise team for any questions.

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