June 7, 2024
In line with ACA’s Strategic Pillar 2: Our mission to strengthen the counselling profession, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of professional practice to ensure the safety and trust of the communities we serve.
Starting from 1 July 2024, all ACA members who reside and practice in Australia will be required to provide a National Police Check (NPC) Certificate as part of the registration and renewal process. This requirement is in line with industry standards for health professionals.
Members of ACA who reside and practice in Australia can obtain their NPC Certificate from several governmental organisations. Here is a list you may choose from based on your location and/or requirements:
A National Police Check (NPC) Certificate is a summary of an individual’s offender history across all jurisdictions in Australia. It includes information from State and Territory police records, as well as from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
An NPC Certificate compares your details, such as name and date of birth, against a central index. It reviews your information subject to laws and current policies. Your NPC will list ‘disclosable court outcomes’ released in line with federal, state and territory laws, including the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) and the Spent Convictions Act 2000 (ACT).
It also uses information from all Australian police services to list any:
Depending on the relevant state or territory legislation, it may not include:
If a purpose is required when lodging a application, it should state for professional registration purposes, for counselling.
At this time, ACA will require a National Police Check Certificate. We recognise a number of our members already hold a National Police Check Certificate and we will recognise this is valid for two years from date of issue.
Each NPC application costs vary depending on where you obtain, however most commonly range from $45 to $85. A standard certificate is acceptable and does not require the inclusion of fingerprints. If a purpose is required when lodging a application, it should state for professional registration purposes, for counselling.
ACA deems NPC Certificates valid from two years from the date obtained. Members are to renew their NPC Certificates every two years. If your circumstance changes, please contact ACA.
An NPC Certificate is now a requirement for renewal of membership with ACA. Members will not be able to renew without uploading a copy of their NPC Certificate to their Member Portal.
Applications can vary depending on recorded results and history – they may take anywhere between 24 hours to 10 days.
ACA requires a National Police Check (NPC) Certificate for membership registration. The NPC Certificate must include information from all State and Territory police records.
Each case of offence will be assessed on an individual basis by the ACA Board. Any subsequent exclusion will depend on the nature of the individual offence and material obtained. ACA’s responsibility is to ensure that the person is fit and proper to be registered with ACA.
No. National Police Checks are a point in time and will identify all convictions up until that point in time. ACA requires updated an Nation Police Check Certificate every two years. If your circumstance changes, please contact ACA.
Any exclusion will depend on the offence and the relevant circumstances. We would recommend talking with ACA if you have any questions or concerns.
Offences will be assessed on an individual basis by the ACA Board.
#ACAUpdate#News