Police Checks

A short guide for Creative Carers families and carers in Victoria

When you welcome a Creative Carer into your home, you are trusting them with the most precious thing you have. A police check is one of the quiet ways we earn that trust before they ever knock on your door.

This guide keeps things short and clear. There are two parts. If you are a parent, the first part is for you. If you are a carer, scroll down to your own section and we will walk you through every step.

What is a police check, and what do we ask for?

A National Police Check searches the national police databases for any criminal history, court outcomes or pending charges. You might also see it called a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, which is the official name for exactly the same thing.

We ask every carer to hold one. Like childcare first aid, a police check is not something the law demands of a private nanny, since the only legal requirement is a Working With Children Check. We ask for it anyway, because a Working With Children Check looks only at child-related offences, and a police check rounds out the picture.

It sits alongside the Working With Children Check and First Aid we ask of every carer, the three together forming the safety net under every placement.

For Parents

Here is the reassuring part. We ask every carer for a current police check. If a carer is still getting theirs sorted, we stay on top of it and keep you informed. We also encourage carers to renew theirs regularly, so a check does not go stale.

There is one thing worth understanding, because it shapes how we handle these. A police check is a snapshot in time. It only shows records up to the day it was issued, and unlike a Working With Children Check there is no public register you can search afterwards. A check is confirmed instead through the unique code printed on the certificate. We verify it this way where the provider allows, ask the carer’s permission where it is needed, or sight and match any that cannot be checked online.

The frequency is your call. We strongly encourage every carer to have a police check and to renew it regularly, ideally each year where possible. That said, we recognise every family is different, and how often a check is renewed is ultimately at the discretion of the parent or guardian. We are always happy to talk through what feels right for your situation, and we can arrange a renewed police check for your carer whenever you request it.

Before a carer’s check reaches our preferred twelve-month window, we check in with them about renewing and keep an eye on how they are getting on. If it passes that point, we let you know, along with the date of issue, so you can decide whether to carry on in the meantime or ask for a fresh one.

A quick note if your carer is a registered teacher. Carers registered with VIT do not need a separate police check, because their registration includes continuous police monitoring, with checks run every week rather than once a year. It is a higher standard than a standalone certificate, and we confirm it for you through the VIT register. That register is public, so you are welcome to look a teacher up yourself any time at the VIT Search the Register.

You look after the cuddles and the bedtime stories. We will keep the records current alongside you.

For Carers

If sorting out a police check feels confusing, please do not worry. It is quick and straightforward, and when you onboard with us we can give you a detailed guide that walks you through it. We are always one message away if you need a hand.

Here is everything you need, one step at a time.

1. Get a National Police Check

You might see it called a few different things, a National Police Check, a Police Check or a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. They are all the same thing, so do not let the names confuse you.

You can apply online through any accredited provider. It usually costs somewhere between $55 and $99, and many providers return your result within a day, sometimes within the hour. Have your photo ID ready when you apply.

Every accredited provider issues the same nationally recognised certificate, so a cheaper one is perfectly fine.

2. Send your certificate to us

Once you have it, send Creative Carers the PDF of the certificate. Please make sure the QR code or reference number is visible, because that is what lets us confirm it is genuine. That is all we need.

3. Keep it recent

A police check only ever reflects the day it was issued, so a recent one gives families the most up-to-date picture. We encourage you to refresh yours around once a year, and we will give you a friendly nudge when the time comes, so you are never caught short.

A note for registered teachers

If you are registered with VIT, this one is already taken care of. Your registration includes ongoing police monitoring, which is more thorough than a single certificate, so while it is current you do not need to give us a separate police check. Just send us your VIT registration number and we will confirm it for you.

That really is everything. A police check is the quiet piece of background work that lets the fun happen with complete confidence. Thank you for helping us keep every child in safe hands.

If anything here raises a question, just reach out. We are always happy to help.

Disclaimer: This guide explains how police checks work for carers in Victoria and how we approach them at Creative Carers. It is background information, not legal advice, and it cannot speak to the specifics of your own situation. Providers, processing times and costs can change over time, so please confirm the current details with an accredited provider or the relevant authority, and seek professional advice where you need it. Anything you choose to do based on this guide remains your own decision.