News · Criminal law explainer
What is a national police check in NSW?
When people talk about their criminal record for a job or a licence, they usually mean a national police check. It is the standard document that shows a person's disclosable history. This note explains what a national police check is, what it shows and does not show, and how it is used.
By Aaron Kernaghan · Published 3 September 2026
A national police check is a document that lists a person's disclosable court outcomes from across Australia, mainly convictions and some pending charges. It does not usually show spent convictions, section 10 outcomes, or matters that did not result in a conviction. Employers and organisations use it to assess suitability for roles that require one, with your consent.
What is a national police check?
A national police check, sometimes called a police clearance or criminal history check, is a document that lists a person's disclosable court outcomes recorded across all Australian states and territories. It is produced through the national police checking system and is commonly required for employment, licensing, and volunteering.
It is a national check, not just a NSW one, so it captures matters from anywhere in Australia. It is generally obtained with the person's consent.
What does it show?
A standard check discloses disclosable court outcomes. In practice that means convictions, and it can include some pending charges and outstanding matters. It draws together a person's history from the different jurisdictions into one document.
What counts as disclosable is governed by law and by the spent convictions rules. The check applies those rules, so it does not simply list everything that has ever happened.
What does it not show?
A standard check generally does not show spent convictions, a section 10 or other non-conviction outcome, or matters that were withdrawn or resulted in an acquittal. It is a check of disclosable outcomes, not a complete file of every interaction with police.
This is why the outcome of a case matters so much. A matter dealt with without conviction generally will not appear on a standard check.
Are there checks that show more?
Yes. Some roles require checks that go beyond a standard national police check and can consider more, including findings of guilt without conviction. The Working with Children Check is the clearest example, and some occupational and government checks also look wider.
So a clean standard check does not always mean a matter is invisible for every purpose. The type of check depends on the role.
How is a check used?
An organisation uses a check to assess whether a person is suitable for a role, weighing any disclosable outcome against the requirements of the position. A record does not automatically bar a person; relevance to the role matters, and discrimination and privacy rules apply.
If you need a check for a job, it is worth understanding what your record shows first. Our notes on records and work and spent convictions explain the position.
Frequently asked.
What is a national police check?
A document listing a person's disclosable court outcomes from across Australia, mainly convictions and some pending matters. It is produced through the national police checking system, usually with the person's consent.
What does a national police check show?
Disclosable court outcomes, mainly convictions and sometimes pending charges, drawn together from all Australian jurisdictions, with the spent convictions rules applied.
Does a police check show everything?
No. A standard check generally does not show spent convictions, section 10 outcomes, or matters that were withdrawn or resulted in an acquittal. It is a check of disclosable outcomes only.
Are there checks that show more?
Yes. Some roles require checks that consider more, including findings of guilt without conviction. The Working with Children Check is the clearest example.
Does a record on a check bar me from a job?
Not automatically. An organisation weighs any disclosable outcome against the role. Relevance matters, and discrimination and privacy rules apply.
To speak to a criminal defence lawyer, call Aaron Kernaghan on 0421 717 019.
This article is written by Aaron Kernaghan, criminal defence lawyer at Good Legal Lawyers, as at 3 September 2026. It is commentary and reflects the personal opinion of the author only. It is not legal advice, it is not a substitute for advice on your own matter, and it does not purport to be accurate or complete. Any matter referred to may be before the court and any person charged is presumed innocent. For advice on a specific matter, contact Aaron Kernaghan on 0421 717 019 or contact the firm.
More criminal-law commentary by Aaron Kernaghan.