Volunteer Police Checks for Charities, Not-for-Profits and Student Placements

Not-for-profits, charities, and community organisations play a vital role in keeping communities safe. Many of these organisations rely heavily on volunteers to deliver essential services and support vulnerable people.

To support this work, eligible applicants may access a Volunteer Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) at a reduced fee.

At AuthNTick, we make it simple for charities, volunteer groups, students on placement, and community organisations to apply for the right check quickly, securely, and in line with national requirements.

What Is a Volunteer Police Check?

A volunteer police check is a lower-cost criminal history check designed for people working in genuine voluntary roles that benefit the community.

It recognises the important contribution made by not-for-profit, charitable, and volunteer service organisations.

Because this discounted category exists to support community organisations, it is important that it is only used by applicants who genuinely qualify.

Misuse of the volunteer check category may put this community benefit at risk.

Who Is Eligible for a Volunteer Check?

A volunteer check should only be used when the applicant meets the relevant eligibility criteria.

To qualify, the applicant must:

• Hold the position on a genuine voluntary basis for the benefit of the community.
• Not be an employee, contractor, subcontractor, staff member, or officer of the organisation.
• Not be entitled to salary, wages, or employee-type benefits associated with the role.
• Be a student undertaking a compulsory vocational placement required by an Australian education or training provider.

Checks required for foster care may also be eligible under the volunteer category.

Who Is Not Eligible for a Volunteer Check?

The following people are generally not eligible for the volunteer check category:

• Job seekers participating in the Work for the Dole Scheme.
• Family Day Care providers, educators, assistants, or family members.
• People undertaking roles that are paid or that otherwise resemble employment.

Important: It is your responsibility to ensure you are applying for the correct check type. Applying under the wrong category may result in delays, additional costs, or rejection.

Volunteer Checks for Student Placement

AuthNTick does not offer a separate student rate. A person who is also a student is not automatically entitled to access the volunteer check type unless they meet the volunteer eligibility requirements.

Under the Agreement, AuthNTick allows access to volunteer checks for specific student placement purposes where the placement meets the required conditions.

Vocational placements give students the opportunity to gain the skills and experience needed to successfully transition from study to work. These placements are undertaken as a compulsory requirement of a course of study for a short period.

To meet the volunteer requirements, the student must undertake a placement that is a compulsory part of their education course or study program. The placement must not result in payment or entitlements from the host business and must not mirror an employment arrangement.

When a Student Placement May Qualify

A student placement may qualify if it is:

• A mandatory requirement of the course or training program.
• Unpaid, with no entitlement to salary or employment benefits.
• Completed under a formal arrangement with the education provider.
• Clearly not an employment relationship.

When a Student Placement Is Not Eligible

Access to the volunteer check type is not granted for internship programs, workplace trials, or work experience outside a compulsory education course.

Participation in these activities is generally driven by a compulsion for employment, with the objective of helping the individual gain additional skills and experience that directly support future employment prospects.

• Internships that are not compulsory.
• Workplace trials.
• Work experience outside a formal compulsory education course.
• Informal voluntary work that is not part of a required placement.

Why the Correct Check Type Matters

Background screening is important even for unpaid roles, especially in sectors such as healthcare, education, aged care, and community services.

Choosing the correct police check category helps avoid:

• Application delays.
• Compliance issues.
• Rejected submissions.
• Confusion for students, employers, and host organisations.

For organisations managing multiple applicants, using the right check type from the start can save time and reduce administrative overhead.

Why Choose AuthNTick for Volunteer Checks?

At AuthNTick, we help charities, not-for-profits, education providers, and applicants complete volunteer police checks with confidence.

Fast and Compliant Processing

We process checks quickly and in line with national compliance requirements, helping you avoid unnecessary delays.

Clear Guidance on Eligibility

Our team helps you understand whether a check should be submitted as volunteer or paid, based on the applicant’s role and circumstances.

Support from Real People

Whether you are a student, university, employer, host organisation, or volunteer coordinator, our team is here to help.

Ideal for Student Placements and Community Organisations

We support universities, TAFEs, RTOs, charities, and not-for-profits that need an efficient way to manage checks for individuals or groups.

Volunteer Checks for Charities and Community Organisations

If your organisation depends on volunteers, affordable and compliant screening matters.

A volunteer police check can help charities and not-for-profits protect vulnerable people, meet governance expectations, and maintain trust in the community.

AuthNTick helps organisations streamline the process with secure, easy-to-use background check solutions designed for the not-for-profit sector.

Summary

If you are undertaking a genuine volunteer role or a compulsory unpaid student placement, you may be eligible for a Volunteer Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check at a reduced fee.

Applying under the correct category is essential. If you are unsure, AuthNTick can help you choose the right check type and complete the process quickly and securely.