Can I work in aged care if I have a criminal record?

While it is possible to work in aged care with a criminal conviction, this varies greatly depending on the type of conviction and its correlation with the role they wish to undertake. Generally, any conviction involving murder, sexual assault, or other violent offence will render an individual unfit to work in unsupervised aged care. In all other criminal convictions, the applicant in question will be judged on their individual background and how their criminal history relates directly to the role. Things to be considered are the type of crime that was committed, how much time has passed since the conviction, employment history since the conviction, patterns in the conviction(s), the likelihood of a recurring incident should the individual be employed and more.

Is a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check the Same as a police Check?

Yes, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is the same as a national police check. They both refer to the same police records. These checks can also be referred to as police clearance and national clearance certificates.

Aged Care Police Check | For Aged Care Workers

Supporting safe and compliant Aged Care recruitment

The aged care sector plays a vital role in supporting the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older Australians. Whether delivering residential, home, or community-based care, providers rely on trusted and qualified employees to deliver safe, high-quality services to some of Australia's most vulnerable people.

With increasing workforce demands, ongoing compliance obligations, and growing competition for skilled staff, aged care organisations need recruitment processes that are both thorough and efficient. Conducting appropriate pre-employment screening helps providers make informed hiring decisions, mitigate risk, and maintain high standards of care across their workforce.

CrimCheck supports aged care providers with fast, secure, and streamlined Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks for a wide range of roles, including registered nurses, enrolled nurses, personal care workers, assistants in nursing, residential support workers, and community support staff.

Whether you're recruiting for a single facility or managing workforce screening across multiple locations, our online platform helps simplify the screening process, reduce administrative workload, and support faster onboarding—allowing you to focus on delivering quality care to those who need it most.

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Frequently asked questions

I have a criminal record, should I tell my Employer or Volunteer Organisation?

This depends on the role and your employer's requirements. Some positions require you to disclose certain criminal history, while others do not. If you're unsure, check the job requirements or speak directly with your employer. Being honest and upfront about your circumstances can help build trust with a prospective employer.

A criminal record does not automatically prevent someone from working or volunteering. Employers and organisations generally assess any disclosed information based on its relevance to the role and any applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

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Who pays for police checks?

Most often, the Employer the cost a police check. But this is not always necessarily the case. Certain Organisations need Applicants to pay for their own police checks so if you are applying for a job or volunteer position it is best to verify who covers the cost of the police check with your Employer or Organisation.

What identity documents (ID) are required?

Applicants must generally supply four identification documents in accordance with ACIC identity verification requirements. This typically includes one Commencement of Identity document, one Primary Use in the Community document, and two Secondary documents.

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How long does it take to get a police check?

The majority of Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks are returned within minutes of final lodgment through the CrimCheck portal. Some checks are referred for manual review by police agencies and can take between 2 and 15 business days.

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Why Are Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks for Aged Care Important?

While not all jobs may require a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to employment, jobs within aged care and childcare almost always will. This is because the elderly, as with young children, are more vulnerable than the rest of the population. This can lead to them being taken advantage of and mistreated, as has been reported in the past. For this reason, all employees must undergo a background check before the start of their employment in aged care.

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Police checks for Aged Care workers

Supporting safe and compliant Aged Care recruitment

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Frequently asked questions

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