What Happens If I Have a Criminal Record?
Learn how having a criminal record affects your ability to apply for a police check, what information is disclosed, and how organisations assess the results. Consult a legal professional for guidance if needed.
Having a criminal record does not prevent you from applying for a police check. The check is a factual report — it is up to the requesting organisation to determine how they assess the result based on their own policies and legislative requirements.
Your certificate will disclose disclosable court outcomes (DCOs) that meet the disclosure threshold based on the purpose of your check. Not all convictions are disclosable:
- Spent convictions are generally not disclosed (subject to applicable legislation and the purpose of the check).
- Juvenile records are generally not disclosed in most circumstances.
- Dismissed charges, acquittals, and withdrawn matters are not disclosed.
If your certificate includes disclosable outcomes, the organisation requesting the check will assess the result in context — considering the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, and its relevance to the role or application.
National Clearance Australia is not able to provide legal advice regarding your criminal history. If you are concerned about disclosure, we recommend consulting a legal professional before applying.
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