What is the NCCHC?
The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is a personal criminal history clearance document issued by the Australian government, commonly referred to as a “National Police Check” or “Criminal History Check.” This certificate is jointly processed by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and police agencies across all states and territories, encompassing criminal record checks across all Australian jurisdictions. The certificate lists the individual’s disclosable court judgments, pending charges, and convictions within Australia. Obtain a NCCHC Diploma
Key Differences: NCCHC vs. AFP National Police Certificate
In Australia, the NCCHC and the National Police Certificate (NPC) issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are the two primary types of criminal record certificates. The key differences between them are as follows:
| Comparison Criteria | NCCHC (National Coordinated Criminal History Check) | AFP National Police Certificate (NPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | ACIC-Accredited Certification Body (third-party organization authorized by ACIC) | Australian Federal Police (AFP) |
| Applicable Scenarios | Employment, volunteering, professional licensing, industry certification, etc., within Australia | Federal government positions, immigration visas, overseas work, national security vetting, etc. |
| Processing Time | Typically 1–2 business days | Typically 5–15 business days; fingerprint checks take at least 15 business days |
| Fee Range | Standard: approx. $64.90 AUD; Volunteer: approx. $34.90 AUD | Flat rate: $56 AUD; Fingerprint check: $113 AUD |
| Application Restrictions | Applicants must be in Australia and the visa must not be used for immigration purposes | Applicable to overseas applicants and for immigration visa purposes |
For the vast majority of employment, volunteer, and professional licensing applications in Australia, the NCCHC and the NPC are functionally equivalent.
Validity of the NCCHC
Technically speaking, the NCCHC is a “point-in-time check” and does not have a statutory expiration date; however, different employers, industry regulatory bodies, and visa authorities often have their own internal validity requirements.
- Employment and Industry Purposes: Most employers require the certificate to be valid for 3 to 12 months after issuance.
- Healthcare and Disability Support Sectors: AHPRA-registered professionals and NDIS practitioners generally renew their certificates every six to twelve months.
- Child Protection and Education: Some states require a “Working with Children Certificate” (WWCC), for which the NCCHC serves as supporting documentation.
- Academic and Internship Purposes: Some schools require the NCCHC to be valid during internships; the typical validity period is 3 to 5 years.
Therefore, applicants are advised to confirm the validity policy with the receiving institution before use to avoid delays in the process due to an “expired” certificate.
How to Apply for the NCCHC
- Select a Certification Agency: All accredited third-party agencies listed on the ACIC website, such as RapidScreening, InterCheck, CVCheck, and Veritas.
- Prepare Identification Documents: You must provide three identification documents (including one with a photo), with a total score of 100 points.
- Submit the Application Online: Fill out your personal information on the certification agency’s website, select the purpose (employment/volunteering, etc.), complete identity verification, and make the online payment.
- Receive the Digital Certificate: After the review is complete, the applicant will receive a digital certificate, which can be downloaded via email or the platform; the electronic result is typically valid for 3 months.
Common Uses
NCCHC certificates are widely used for job recruitment, volunteer screening, visa and naturalization applications, registration for medical professionals such as doctors, background checks for teachers or childcare providers, and background investigations for bank employees, insurance company staff, and others.
