A Guide to Background Checks in Australia
Checkr makes it easy for you to quickly scale your hiring while minimizing the complexity of evolving background check laws—wherever your candidates are—in Australia, New Zealand, or all over the world.
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- Criminal search
- Education verification
- Employment verification
- Global watchlist search
- Disclaimer
Hiring outside the US can be complex. Laws and regulations related to background checks vary by country and are always evolving, while language and cultural nuances also add complexity.
Here’s what you need to know about the different types of screenings Checkr provides for people working in Australia, or those who are working elsewhere in the world and have a history of working or living in Australia.
Criminal search
What is it?
A national level search in Australia that returns available criminal conviction records.
Source
Australian Federal Police
Information requirements
- Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Address
- Government ID Scan
- Passport Scan
- Special Application form must be completed by the applicant and provided to Checkr
The Special Application Form requires the applicant to submit photo IDs based on the numerical value assigned to each ID.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 18 to 20 business days.
Order an Australia background check
Education verification
What is it?
The verification of academic status of any educational level such as high school, college and post grad. Information reported may include institution name, dates of attendance, graduation/conferred date, degree obtained, major, minor, honors, awards, and comments.
Source
The searches are conducted through the specified education institution requested.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Institution Name
- Institution Address
- Institution Telephone Number (Include Point of Contact)
- Dates of Attendance
- Graduation/Conferred Date
- Degree Type
- Major
- Minor
- Copy of degree.
- Authorization form
Some institutions may require additional documentation. Upon request from the institution, Checkr will notify you of any additional requirements.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 8 days. Some verifications may take longer to complete depending on the cooperation with the institutions being verified.
Employment verification
What is it?
Verification of previous employment history to confirm work experience. In Australia, an employment verification check may include such information as the employer's name, dates of employment, position/title, and/or reason for leaving. Salary information will be provided if available for disclosure by the source.
Source
Government agencies and employers across the country. In some countries, the records of former employees are not kept in a searchable form and contacting the supervisor or manager is normal practice.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Employer’s Name
- Employer’s Address
- Employer’s Telephone Number
- Dates of Employment
- Position/Title
- Reason for Leaving
- Authorization form
Some employers may have unique processes for providing verifications that may include special authorization forms, experience letters, employment reference letters, etc. These additional requirements will be communicated at the time of ordering if the need for additional information arises with a specific employer.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 8 days. Some verifications may take longer to complete depending on the cooperation with the institutions being verified.
Global watchlist
What is it?
The Global Watchlist Search product provides a thorough search of multiple National and International repositories and government watchlists. The search consists of thousands of databases, many of which are updated daily to provide more up-to-date coverage.
Source
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), FBI Most Wanted (incl. Terrorists), FBI Seeking Information, FBI Hijack Suspects, Politically Exposed Persons, governmental lists, sanctions, enforcements and warnings from over 500 agencies, criminal courts, & news sources from around the world.
Information requirements
- Last name
- First name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Authorization form
Estimated turnaround time
On average 2 days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and we encourage you to seek your own independent counsel when evaluating these services. Importantly, the specific screenings offered by Checkr do not guarantee an organization’s legal rights to request or use them. Several factors, including the residency and location of your organization and your candidates, may implicate additional data privacy and employment laws.
Read more
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