How Long Does a Police Check Take in Australia?

The processing time for an Australian National Police Check depends on several factors, but the majority of applications are completed within 1 to 3 business days when submitted online through an ACIC-accredited provider.

According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), which coordinates the National Police Checking Service, approximately 70% of checks are completed within 24 hours when submitted electronically. Most of the remaining 30% are completed within 2 to 5 business days, with a small proportion taking longer due to specific circumstances (discussed below).

Paper-based applications submitted through Australia Post or directly to state police services generally take 10 to 15 business days, and can take up to 4 weeks in busy periods. The significant difference in turnaround time is the main reason online applications have become the default for most employers.

It is worth noting that these are averages. Processing times can fluctuate based on the time of year, overall application volumes, and system capacity. The start of the financial year (July), the beginning of the school year (January–February), and pre-Christmas hiring seasons all tend to see higher volumes and slightly longer turnaround times.

While most police checks are processed quickly, several factors can cause an application to take longer than the standard 1–3 business days:

• Common names: If your name is shared by many people in the criminal records database, the system may require manual review to ensure the correct records are being matched. Names like "David Smith" or "Mohammed Ali" are more likely to trigger manual matching. This is one of the most common causes of delays.
• Disclosable criminal history: Applicants with a criminal record may experience longer processing times because the records need to be reviewed against the relevant spent convictions legislation for the purpose of the check. The screening officer must determine which offences are disclosable based on the state's spent convictions scheme and the type of check being conducted (e.g., standard employment vs. child-related).
• Incomplete or incorrect information: Applications with mismatched identity details, missing documents, or errors in personal information will be returned for correction, adding days or weeks to the process. Double-checking your details before submitting is the single most effective way to avoid delays.
• Identity verification issues: If the digital identity verification process cannot confirm your identity (e.g., your documents don't match records held by the Document Verification Service), you may be asked to provide additional documentation or verify in person, which adds time.
• Manual review triggers: Certain flags in the system — such as name matches with serious offences, interstate records that need cross-referencing, or pending charges — can route an application to a manual review queue. Manual review is conducted by a screening officer and takes longer than automated processing.

If your application is taking longer than expected, it is almost certainly in a manual review queue rather than lost. Contacting the provider for a status update is reasonable after 5 business days for an online application, or after 3 weeks for a paper application.

The difference in processing speed between online and paper applications is substantial, and understanding why helps explain the overall process:

Online applications submitted through ACIC-accredited providers (such as Refchecks, the national police services, or other accredited bodies) are processed electronically through the National Police Checking Service. Identity verification is conducted digitally using the Document Verification Service (DVS), which checks your identity documents against issuing agency records in real time. If identity is confirmed and the automated name-matching process finds no relevant records, the check can be completed in as little as a few hours.

Paper applications require manual data entry at the receiving end. The application form must be physically received (adding postal time), the information entered into the system by a staff member, and identity documents manually verified. Even if the actual criminal history search is completed quickly, the manual handling at either end adds significant time.

There is no difference in the thoroughness or accuracy of the check between online and paper applications — both search the same national criminal history database. The difference is purely in the administrative handling time.

For employers conducting pre-employment screening, online submission through an accredited provider like Refchecks is strongly recommended. It is faster, produces a digital result that integrates with your hiring workflow, and reduces the risk of errors introduced through manual handling.

Many police check providers advertise "express" or "urgent" processing, but it is important to understand what this actually means. The ACIC's National Police Checking Service processes applications in the order they are received — there is no official fast-track or priority queue within the ACIC system itself.

When a provider offers express processing, what they typically mean is that they will submit your application to the ACIC immediately, rather than batching applications for submission at set intervals. Some providers collect applications throughout the day and submit them in a batch, which can add 12–24 hours before the ACIC even begins processing. An "express" service eliminates this internal delay.

Some state police services also offer expedited processing for certain categories of applicants. For example:

• Victoria Police offers a same-day counter service for urgent applications submitted in person at the Victoria Police Centre in Melbourne. This service is available for a higher fee and is subject to availability.
• Queensland Police has historically offered an expedited service for applicants who can demonstrate urgency (e.g., a job offer that will be withdrawn if the check is not returned within a specific timeframe).

For most applicants, the fastest option is to submit through an accredited online provider, ensure all details are correct, and use the digital identity verification process. This gives you the best chance of receiving a result within 24 hours. Paying extra for "express" processing is unlikely to make a meaningful difference if the delay is caused by manual review at the ACIC end.

It is important to understand the distinction between a state-issued police check and a National Police Check through the ACIC, as this affects both the scope of the check and the processing time.

A National Police Check conducted through the ACIC searches the national criminal history database, which aggregates records from all Australian state and territory police services, as well as the Australian Federal Police. This is the standard check required by most employers and is the type of check conducted by ACIC-accredited providers like Refchecks.

Some state police services also offer their own police check products. For example:

• NSW Police offers a check through the NSW Police Force website, which searches the national database via the ACIC.
• Victoria Police offers the National Police Certificate, also processed through the ACIC.
• Queensland Police offers a National Police Certificate through their PoliceCheck service.

In practice, all of these check the same national database — the ACIC's. The difference is in the application and delivery method, not the scope of the search. Checks submitted through state police services may have slightly different processing times compared to those submitted through accredited private providers, but the underlying database search is the same.

One exception is if you need a check that includes non-conviction information (such as charges that were dismissed, or findings of not guilty). Standard National Police Checks only disclose convictions and pending charges. Access to non-conviction information typically requires a specific legislative basis and is only available through certain channels — for example, checks for child-related employment in some jurisdictions may include broader information than a standard employment check.

Police checks can be initiated in two ways: by an employer (or organisation) on behalf of a candidate, or by an individual for their own purposes. The processing time is generally similar, but there are practical differences worth noting.

Employer-initiated checks are submitted by an ACIC-accredited organisation (like Refchecks) on behalf of a candidate. The employer specifies the purpose of the check (e.g., "employment — standard" or "employment — child-related"), which determines what information is disclosed. The result goes to the employer, often integrated directly into their screening workflow. This is the most efficient method for pre-employment screening because it eliminates back-and-forth between the candidate and employer.

Individual applications are submitted directly by the person being checked. The individual receives the result and can then provide it to an employer, volunteer organisation, or other requesting body. Individual checks may take slightly longer if the applicant is unfamiliar with the process, makes errors on the application, or delays identity verification.

From a processing perspective, the ACIC treats both types the same once the application enters the system. The main time difference is in the pre-submission stage: employer-initiated checks through platforms like Refchecks are typically submitted within minutes of the candidate providing consent and identity details, while individual applicants may take longer to gather documents and complete the application.

One consideration for employers is currency — how old a police check can be and still be accepted. Most industries accept checks that are less than 3 months old, though some sectors (particularly aged care and child-related employment) may require checks to be no more than 6 weeks old. Initiating the check through an accredited provider ensures the check is conducted for the correct purpose and delivered without delay.

While you cannot control every factor that affects processing speed, there are several practical steps you can take to minimise the chance of delays:

• Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your identity documents. Nicknames, abbreviated names, or names that don't match your ID will cause a mismatch during identity verification and may trigger a manual review. If you've changed your name, provide a change of name certificate.
• Provide all previous names. If you've ever been known by a different name (including maiden names), include these on the application. Omitting previous names doesn't speed up the process — it slows it down when the system finds records under another name and can't match them.
• Double-check your date of birth and address history. Simple typos in your date of birth or residential history are a common cause of returned applications. Verify these details before submitting.
• Use digital identity verification. If the provider offers online identity verification through the Document Verification Service (DVS), use it. This is significantly faster than posting copies of documents or verifying in person.
• Apply through an ACIC-accredited provider. Accredited providers submit directly to the ACIC system, which is faster than going through intermediaries. Check that your provider is listed on the ACIC's website as an accredited body.
• Apply as early as possible. Don't wait until the last minute. If you know you'll need a police check for a new job, apply as soon as you receive the request. Even if the check is usually fast, planning for 5 business days gives you a buffer for unexpected delays.
• Respond quickly to any requests for additional information. If the provider contacts you about a discrepancy or requests additional identity documents, respond immediately. The clock stops while they wait for your response.

For employers using Refchecks, our platform automatically validates candidate details before submission, which catches common errors that would otherwise delay processing. We also provide real-time status tracking so both you and the candidate can see exactly where the check is in the process.