In Australia, a National Crime Check (NCC) is essentially the same as a Police Check in terms of the information it provides and its primary purpose. Both checks are used to provide information about an individual’s criminal history, including details such as convictions, charges, court findings, and, in some cases, pending court matters.
The primary distinction between the two lies in the name used by different providers and the scope of coverage:
- Police Check:
- A Police Check is typically conducted by state or territory police agencies.
- It provides information about an individual’s criminal history within a specific jurisdiction (state or territory).
- A standard Police Check often covers a period of approximately five years leading up to the date of the check.
- The terminology may vary by state or territory, but the primary purpose and scope are similar.
- National Crime Check (NCC):
- A National Crime Check, on the other hand, is conducted by authorized private providers.
- It is designed to provide a national overview of an individual’s criminal history by accessing data from various police jurisdictions across Australia.
- The depth and scope of a National Crime Check can be broader than a standard Police Check, as it may include information from multiple states and territories.
- NCCs may also include additional checks, such as checks against lists of prohibited persons or those excluded from working with vulnerable populations.
In summary, both a National Crime Check and a Police Check serve similar purposes of assessing an individual’s criminal history. A National Crime Check is typically conducted by a private provider and may cover a broader geographical area (multiple states and territories) compared to a standard Police Check, which is conducted by a specific state or territory police agency and focuses on that jurisdiction’s records.
The choice between the two depends on the requirements of the organization or employer requesting the check and the level of detail needed for the specific purpose.