What is Purpose Field in a Criminal History Check

Purpose Of Check Requirement

When requesting a criminal history check, the purpose of the check plays a critical role in determining what information may be released. Police agencies are responsible for deciding both what information appears on a check and how much detail is provided, and those decisions are made in line with the stated purpose of the request.

The service uses the purpose provided with a check to determine what information can be released in accordance with the relevant state or territory spent conviction legislation and other information release policies. Different purposes for checks can affect the disclosure decisions made by police.

Understanding and correctly identifying the purpose of a check helps ensure that applicants and organisations receive accurate, appropriate, and compliant results.

Every criminal history check request must include a valid and specific purpose. The purpose field is not just an administrative step. It directly affects how police agencies assess the request and what information they may legally disclose.

Because disclosure decisions can vary depending on the purpose provided, entering the correct purpose helps ensure the check is processed correctly and in line with national requirements. If a purpose is unclear, too broad, or invalid, the application may be delayed, returned, or rejected.

How Police Agencies Use the Purpose of a Check

Police agencies assess the purpose of a criminal history check to determine the relevance of the information being released. Because of this, every request must include a valid and specific purpose. Without one, the check may be delayed or not processed at all.

Criminal history checks are designed to be point-in-time assessments, meaning they reflect an individual’s criminal history at the time the check is conducted. They are also issued for a single, specific purpose, which is why accuracy is essential.

When a Criminal History Check Should Be Requested

A criminal history check should only be requested after an employment opportunity or entitlement has been identified. This ensures the check aligns with a genuine and lawful need, such as:

• Commencing employment
• Volunteer roles
• Licensing or accreditation requirements
• Access to certain entitlements or services

Requesting a check without a defined purpose may result in incomplete, delayed, or inappropriate information being released.

Checks for Personal Use

While not generally encouraged, some individuals may wish to obtain a criminal history check before entering a formal employment or service arrangement. In these cases, applicants should clearly record the purpose as one of the following:

• General Employment
• For Personal Use Only

These descriptions help police agencies process the request appropriately while maintaining compliance with national guidelines.

Invalid Purpose Descriptions

Certain entries are not considered valid purposes and may lead to the check being rejected or not processed. These include:

• Not Applicable
• Unemployed

Using an invalid purpose can cause unnecessary delays and inconvenience for both applicants and organisations.

Examples of Acceptable Purposes

Employment

• Disability Support Worker, Sunshine Disability Services, Parramatta, NSW
• Customer Service Assistant, Green Valley Supermarket, Brisbane, QLD
• Childcare Assistant, Little Explorers Early Learning Centre, Geelong, VIC
• Property Manager, Coastal Realty Group, Fremantle, WA
• Hospital Nurse, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW

Licence or Regulation

• Real Estate Agent Licence Application, Department of Fair Trading, Sydney, NSW
• Family Day Care Household Member Check, Bright Futures Family Day Care, Dubbo, NSW
• Security Licence Application, Licensing and Regulation Division, Perth, WA

Probity – Non-Volunteer

• Hosting an international student, Private Residence, Melbourne, VIC
• Lease of holiday accommodation, Seaside Holiday Apartments, Gold Coast, QLD
• Employment of a private nanny, Private Residence, Sydney, NSW

Probity – Volunteer

• Volunteer mentor, The Smith Family, Sydney, NSW
• Student teaching placement, Faculty of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
• Community meal volunteer, Salvation Army Australia, Adelaide, SA
• Museum guide volunteer, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, ACT

Why Choosing the Correct Purpose Matters

Providing a clear and valid purpose when requesting a criminal history check is more than a formality. It helps ensure the process is fair, accurate, and compliant with national standards.

By selecting the correct purpose from the outset, applicants and organisations can reduce delays, avoid rejected applications, and receive results that align with the intended use of the check.