Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Overall Process & Turnaround Time

This page covers the end-to-end Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check process, from InterCheck processing the application to the National Police Checking Service providing us with the result.

Once an application is submitted to InterCheck, we will endeavour to 'process' the application within one working day. 

'Processing' an application involves the InterCheck team reviewing the application to ensure all of the requirements have been met, for example that the applicant has provided all of the necessary identity documents and has declared all of their personal information correctly. 

If any further information or corrections are needed, we will send the applicant an email requesting these updates. 

Once an application has been reviewed and has all of the necessary information, we will then submit the application to the National Police Checking Service.  InterCheck has a web services integration with the National Police Checking Service.

How the National Police Checking Service Works

Once an application has been submitted to the National Police Checking Service, the applicant’s personal details are checked against a national database using a name matching algorithm.

The National Police Checking Service aims to process 95% of Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks within 10 business days, noting that:

• 70% of all Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks submitted are returned and completed within 1-2 business days.
• 30% of police checks may be referred to one or more police agencies and can take on average anytime between 3-12 business days or longer, due to complexity.

If the personal details provided match any police information held in police records, the system will generate a ‘potential match’, ie. the application will be flagged for Manual Review by the relevant police jurisdiction. 

Manual Review Explanation

When an application is 'Flagged for Manual Review', it means:

• There has been a potential match containing some or all of the applicant's details to someone who has a record in the police database
• The application is then referred to the relevant police jurisdiction for a further assessment (manual review)
• This process can take anywhere between 3-12 business days or longer, depending on the complexity (e.g. offences committed in multiple different states/territories)
• A potential match does not mean the applicant has a criminal record, it could simply mean the details provided are a close or partial match to a record in the police database