Australia Checks
Background Checks in Australia
Run compliant AFP national police checks, education, employment, and credit verification across every state and territory. From a single platform built for Australian privacy law.
Available Checks in Australia
From AFP national police certificates to credit and employment verification, Turn covers every major screening category Australian employers need.
National Police Check (AFP/NPC)
The Australian Federal Police National Police Certificate covers all states and territories in a single check. It includes national criminal history records and federal offences. The purpose of the check determines the disclosure level, different categories apply for employment, volunteering, licencing, and other purposes.
⏱️ 2–12 business days
Education Verification
Confirm degrees, diplomas, and qualifications from Australian universities, TAFEs, and registered training organisations. Includes verification of dates of attendance, qualification awarded, and field of study.
⏱️ 1–9 business days
Employment Verification
Verify employment history with Australian employers, including dates of employment, job titles, and reason for leaving where available. Conducted through direct contact with HR departments or payroll providers.
⏱️ 1–9 business days
Credit Check
Access credit history information for candidates being considered for financially sensitive roles. Includes defaults, court judgements, and credit enquiries. Requires candidate consent and a permissible purpose under Australian credit reporting rules.
⏱️ 1–3 business days
Identity Verification
Biometric identity matching against Australian government-issued documents including passports, driver's licences, and Medicare cards. Fully remote, mobile-optimised verification that candidates can complete in minutes.
⏱️ Instant
Global Watchlist & Sanctions
Screen against OFAC, DFAT consolidated sanctions list, PEP databases, global terrorist registries, and adverse media sources. Essential for roles requiring regulatory compliance or security clearances.
⏱️ As fast as 15 minutes
Australian Privacy Act 1988 & APPs Compliance
Background screening in Australia is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). Turn's workflows are designed to meet these requirements at every step.
13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
Turn's screening workflows comply with all 13 APPs governing the collection, use, disclosure, and storage of personal information.
Consent requirements
Informed, voluntary candidate consent is collected before any screening begins, with clear disclosure of what information will be collected and how it will be used.
Purpose limitation
Personal information is collected only for purposes directly related to the screening engagement, consistent with APP 6 use and disclosure requirements.
Spent Convictions Scheme
Disclosure rules vary by state and territory. Turn's platform accounts for state-specific spent convictions legislation to ensure only disclosable offences are reported.
Data residency
Australian data residency is available for employers with localisation requirements, keeping candidate data stored within Australia.
Cross-border data transfers
When data is transferred outside Australia, Turn ensures compliance with APP 8 requirements, including reasonable steps to ensure the overseas recipient handles data consistently with the APPs.
SOC 2 Type II & ISO 27001-aligned workflows
Turn holds SOC 2 Type II certification (independently audited) and maintains information security practices aligned with the ISO 27001 framework.
Australian Screening in Three Steps
Initiate the Check
Start an Australian background check from Turn's dashboard, via API, or directly from your connected ATS. Select the candidate, choose the check types, and launch in seconds.
Candidate Completes Online
Your candidate receives a secure, encrypted link via SMS or email. The experience is mobile-optimised and includes Privacy Act-compliant consent collection. Typically completed in under 10 minutes.
Get Consolidated Results
Results from every check. AFP police certificate, education, employment, credit, consolidated into a single, standardised report. Adjudication tools and adverse action workflows are built in.
Why Employers Choose Turn for Australia Screening
Comprehensive Coverage
The AFP National Police Certificate covers all Australian states and territories in a single check. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory. No need to run separate state-level checks.
One Platform
Australian and international checks in a single dashboard, a single report format, and a single billing relationship. No separate logins, no additional vendor contracts, and no manual data reconciliation.
Privacy Act Compliance Built In
Turn's screening workflows are built around the Australian Privacy Act and APPs from the ground up, including compliant consent flows, purpose limitation controls, spent convictions handling, and data residency options for Australia.
ATS & HRIS Integration
Native connections with Fountain, Lever, Greenhouse, Rippling, iCIMS, and more. Australian checks are initiated, tracked, and reviewed through the same integration your team uses for domestic screening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AFP National Police Check?
An AFP National Police Check (also called a National Police Certificate or NPC) is a criminal history check coordinated by the Australian Federal Police. It searches national criminal history records from all Australian states and territories, including federal offences. The check returns disclosable court outcomes, pending charges, and findings of guilt, with the level of disclosure determined by the stated purpose of the check (such as employment, volunteering, or licencing).
How long do Australian background checks take?
Turnaround times vary by check type. AFP National Police Checks typically take 2–12 business days, though most are completed within a few days. Education and employment verifications generally return in 1–9 business days. Identity verification is instant. Credit checks typically complete in 1–3 business days. Cases that require fingerprint-based checks can take 15 or more working days.
Do I need an AFP check or a state police check?
An AFP National Police Check covers criminal history records from all states and territories in a single request, making it the standard choice for most employment screening. State-based police checks are separate processes managed by individual state and territory police forces. For most pre-employment purposes, the AFP check provides the broadest coverage. Some industries and government roles may have specific requirements. Turn's compliance team can advise on the right approach for your situation.
What does the Australian Privacy Act require for background checks?
The Privacy Act 1988 and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) require employers to collect personal information only by lawful and fair means, with the individual's knowledge and consent. Information must be collected only for purposes directly related to a function or activity of the organisation. Employers must take reasonable steps to ensure the information is accurate, up to date, and protected from misuse, interference, and loss. Candidates have the right to access their personal information and request corrections.
Can I run credit checks on candidates in Australia?
Yes. Credit checks are available for candidates being considered for roles with financial responsibilities or access to financial systems. The check requires candidate consent and a permissible purpose under the Privacy Act and Australian credit reporting rules. Turn collects the appropriate consent and ensures the check is conducted within the legal framework.
What about Spent Convictions in Australia?
Australia's Spent Convictions Scheme determines which older convictions can be excluded from background check results after a qualifying period. The rules vary by state and territory, for example, qualifying periods and eligible offence types differ between New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Some roles (such as positions working with children or in aged care) may be exempt from spent convictions protections. Turn's platform accounts for these state-specific rules in the screening process.
Does Turn integrate with my ATS?
Yes. Turn offers pre-built integrations with leading ATS and HRIS platforms including Fountain, Lever, Greenhouse, Rippling, iCIMS, and more. Australian background checks are initiated, tracked, and reviewed through the same integration your team already uses.
What certifications does Turn hold?
Turn holds SOC 2 Type II (independently audited) and SOC 3 (publicly available) certifications. Our screening workflows are aligned with ISO 27001 information security management standards. Turn maintains compliance with the FCRA, the Australian Privacy Act 1988, GDPR and UK GDPR, PIPEDA, and US state privacy laws including CCPA.
Disclaimer: The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own legal counsel for questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.