Special Background Checks Australia | What Applicants Need to Know

Special background checks and standard police checks

This guide explains special-purpose background checks and when additional screening may be needed. For ordinary employment and volunteer police checks, start with the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check guide.

WWCC and NDIS Worker Screening

Some background screening requirements fall under special checks, which are restricted and can only be issued by authorised government screening bodies. These checks are commonly required for roles involving vulnerable people, regulated care settings, and other high-trust environments.

Need Help Choosing the Right Background Check?

AuthNTick can help you understand which checks apply to your role and guide you toward the correct screening pathway.

Why AuthNTick Apply for a National Police Check

What Are Special Checks?

Some checks cannot be completed through a general police check provider because they are restricted by law or administered under separate screening frameworks. These special checks are essential for roles that involve children, people with disability, sensitive care settings, or regulated government requirements.

While AuthNTick provides National Police Checks and other background screening services, certain check types must be obtained directly from the authorised screening unit or government body responsible for that program.

Important: A National Police Check does not automatically replace a special screening clearance. If a role specifically requires a WWCC or NDIS Worker Screening Check, applicants must obtain the correct clearance through the authorised screening body.

Working With Children Checks (WWCC)

AuthNTick does not provide Working With Children Checks (WWCC).

WWCCs can only be conducted by authorised Working With Children Screening Units or relevant state and territory agencies. If you are applying for a role that requires a WWCC, you will need to contact the appropriate screening unit in your jurisdiction directly.

AuthNTick can, however, support organisations with the verification of Working With Children Checks that candidates have already obtained, where verification is part of an employer's onboarding or compliance process.

NDIS Worker Screening Checks

AuthNTick does not offer NDIS Worker Screening Checks.

These checks are only available through authorised NDIS Worker Screening Units. If you are applying for a role connected to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, you must apply through the designated screening unit for your state or territory.

AuthNTick can assist organisations with verifying that candidates have already obtained the required screening result where this forms part of an employer's recruitment or compliance process.

Please note: While AuthNTick offers National Police Checks (NPCs), an NPC does not meet the official screening requirement for an NDIS Worker Screening clearance.

Why It Matters to Choose the Correct Check

Using the wrong type of screening can delay onboarding, create compliance risks, and leave an applicant or employer without the clearance required for the role.

WWCC: Required for many child-related roles and must be issued through the authorised screening unit.
NDIS Worker Screening Check: Required for many NDIS-related roles and cannot be replaced by a standard police check.
National Police Check: Useful for many employment and compliance purposes, but not a substitute where a special check is legally required.

How AuthNTick Can Help

While we do not issue WWCC or NDIS Worker Screening Checks, our team can help you identify the right screening pathway and point you toward the appropriate authorised body.

We also support organisations with broader pre-employment screening, including National Police Checks, identity checks, reference checks, and verification support for clearances that candidates have already obtained.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Our team is here to help you understand the right background check for your situation. For special checks, we will always direct you to the correct authorised agency.

Helpful NCCHC Guides

Use these related guides to understand the right National Police Check pathway for your situation, whether you are applying for employment, volunteering, identity support, processing time, probity or special background screening.

HR Guide to Employee Screening

For employers and recruiters who need pre-employment background checks and screening workflows.

Police Check Processing and Approval Time

Understand how long a National Police Check may take and why some checks are delayed.

Special Provisions for Identity Verification Support

For applicants who may need additional help meeting identity verification requirements.

Volunteer Police Checks for Student Placements

For students, volunteers and placement applicants who need a volunteer police check.

Probity Screening and Integrity Checks

For employment, licensing, regulated roles and integrity-based screening.

Free National Police Check in Australia

Explains when a police check may be free or discounted and when fees apply.