ACIC Update The NPCS is currently operating within normal capacity, There are currently no significant delays for Police Checks

Clarification about identity document requirements. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has strict requirements for proof of identity documents when ordering the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks. 


Applicants must provide three  identity documents: 

1 x Commencement of Identity Document 

 1 x Primary Use in the Community Document 

 1 x Secondary Use in the Community Documents 


An identity document must only be used once and applicants must supply all three  required documents from the three mandatory categories. List of acceptable identity documents

The combination of the identity documents collected must contain the applicant’s: 

• full name 

• date of birth; and 

• photograph.  

If a photograph is not provided on the identity documents presented, a passport-style photograph certified by a person listed in Schedule 2 of the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth) can be accepted in addition to the four required documents. 

Applicants are only required to provide identity documents for their full legal name. They are not required to provide identity documents for previously known names.

For Foreign Applicants, you should review the associated Australian Visa information and the foreign issued passport to establish the primary name (applicant’s identity). Foreign nationals who have obtained entry to Australia are required to notify the Department of Home Affairs for any change in circumstance, including change of name or assumption of a married name. This change will be made to the individual’s Visa; as such, all non-citizens who have entered Australia are to contact the Department of Home Affairs to formalise their change of name. 


Other documentation evidence of a change of name may be accepted on consultation with Elite Screening Australia. Please contact us if you need to discuss further. 


Special Provisions for applicants unable to meet the minimum ID requirement 

If an applicant is unable to provide the required ID from each category 

(e.g.: 1 x Commencement, 1 x Primary and 1 x Secondary), the ACIC expects the applicant to obtain the missing/required documentation before ordering their police check.


If an applicant cannot obtain required documentation, the ACIC can consider applications without the full ID requirements for exceptional circumstances only. Before approving such an application, the ACIC will require evidence to support the claim that the applicant is unable to obtain the relevant documents.


The ACIC does not consider that inconvenience or delay satisfies this requirement.

Accordingly, the following are not acceptable justifications for pursuing a Special Provisions exemption:

• Document has been lost

• Document has expired

• Document is held elsewhere and can’t be retrieved


Valid justifications for seeking Special Provisions exemption could include:

• Foreign nationals living outside of Australia

• Persons whose birth was not registered

• Persons who are homeless

• Persons who are undocumented arrivals to Australia

• Persons living in remote areas

• Persons who are transgender or intersex

• Persons affected by recent natural disasters

• Persons with limited access to ID documents due to how they were raised, such as institutional or foster care

• Persons with limited participation in society such as an elderly person or someone who has spent time in a rehabilitation centre

• Young people who are yet to establish a social footprint or who are without evidence of community participation


Special Provision 1 - Providing alternative ID types

After considering the limitations above, if an applicant cannot obtain and provide the minimum proof of identity documents from each category, the applicant must then provide the following set of ID documents with a completed Special Provisions Application Form:


If a Commencement of Identity document cannot be provided, they must provide:

  • At least 1 x primary use in the community document and

  • Up to 2 x secondary use in the community documents, which

  • Must total a minimum of 3 x ID documents; one of which must contain a photograph

  • Completed Special Provisions Application Form with all supporting evidence


If a Primary Use in the Community document cannot be provided, they must provide:

  •  At least 1 x commencement of identity document ando Up to 2 x secondary use in the community documents, which

  • Must total a minimum of 3 x ID documents; one of which must contain a photograph

  • Completed Special Provisions Application Form with all supporting evidence• 


If a Secondary Use in the Community document cannot be provided, they must provide:

  • At least 1 x commencement of identity document and

  • At least 1 x primary use in the community document, which

  • Must total a minimum of 2 x ID documents; one of which must contain a photograph

  • Completed Special Provisions Application Form with all supporting evidence


Other suggested Secondary Use in the Community documents not listed above but which may satisfy this requirement include:

• Property lease/rental agreement

• Property insurance papers

• Superannuation statement

• Enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission

• Motor vehicle registration or insurance documents


Special Provision 2 – Verification of applicant identity by using an authorised referee

If the applicant is still unable to provide enough ID, special provision 2 may be used to support an applicant to verify their identity. We provide the Verification of applicant identity by an authorised referee form to help them get a written reference from an authorised referee.The authorised referee must: 

• know the applicant and can provide details as to the specific identity circumstances;

• meet the ACIC’s authorised referee requirements (outlined on the form);

• complete the required sections in the Special Provisions Application Form, including a declaration; and

• provide, if requested, a written reference confirming the applicant’s identity on company or/ organisation letterhead.We must also request as many identity documents from the applicant as practically possible to support the use of this provision.


Special Provision 3 – Verification of the applicant’s claimed identity with a parent, legal guardian or authorised agent

Access to Special provision 3 is restricted to applicants who:

• are under 18 years of age;

• have a disability requiring part or full-time care from an authorised agent; or

• were raised in foster care or similar arrangements.

To meet the requirements of Special provision 3 the:

• Applicant must provide:o one identity document containing a photograph. If they cannot, they must submit a passport-style photograph certified by a person listed in Schedule 1 of the Statutory Declarations Regulations 2018 (Cth) .

  • Parent, legal guardian or authorised agent must:

  • confirm their own identity by meeting the minimum proof of identity documents; and

  • provide a documentary link between the applicant and the parent or legal guardian, such as the child’s birth certificate; or

  • provide a documentary link between the applicant and their authorised agent, suchas a signed power of attorney.

Identity Document requirements for Non-Australian Citizens 

If the applicant is not an Australian citizen, but they are currently residing in, or visiting, Australia, there are a number of commencement of identity document options available. The most readily available of these is the applicant’s visa. Elite Screening Australia can obtain the details of any valid visa by using the Department of Home Affair’s “Visa Entitlement Verification Online” (VEVO) service. Please be aware that the visa must be presented in conjunction with the valid foreign passport associated with it in order to be accepted as a commencement document. 

Non-Australian Citizens must still provide the minimum identity documents required to lodge an Australian national criminal history check. 


NZ Citizens 

Australian visas are now granted electronically and linked to the relevant passport. ACIC will not accept a New Zealand passport as a Commencement document. All non-citizens in Australia must hold a visa with most New Zealand citizens being automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV) (subclass 444). New Zealand citizens who enter Australia on this visa must (live all other foreign citizens) obtain the visa record via the Commonwealth’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service. 

New Zealand citizens who arrived prior to 1990 and who have not travelled since may not be able to verify their visa details using VEVO. These applicants will need to follow the information available from: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/evidence-of-residency-status/request-anelectronic-visa-record, so they can have an electronic record created and relevant visa granted. 

All non-citizens are required to hold a visa in order to enter and remain in Australia and 98% foreign nationals are able to obtain their visa information through VEVO. Therefore, the ACICexpects that all foreign applicants will provide evidence of their immigration status unless evidence from the relevant government department is provided indicating otherwise.

HOW TO GUIDE

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION  

This presentation is a step by step guide showing how to fill out the snapform.


PRESENTATION LINK

HAVE A QUESTION  

HAVE YOU GOT A QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK US?

FILL IN THE DETAILS BELOW AND CLICK SUBMIT

 ONE OF OUR STAFF WILL GET BACK TO YOU.