A national criminal check usually takes 1 to 12 business days , but many come back much faster. For Australian Nationally Co-ordinated Criminal History Checks, some results arrive within a few hours or within 1 business day, while others need manual review and can take around 10 to 12 business days or longer.

Typical timing

  • Fast cases: a few hours to 1 business day.
  • Manual review cases: about 10 to 12 business days.
  • Delayed cases: longer if there is a possible record match, common name, data mismatch, or extra police review.

What affects the wait

  • Identity document issues or typos.
  • A name that matches someone else.
  • Old or incomplete police record information.
  • Higher processing volume at police agencies.

How to avoid delays

  • Submit complete, accurate details.
  • Make sure your ID documents are valid and match your application.
  • Apply early, especially if you need it for a job start date.

If you mean a specific country’s national criminal check, the timing can be different.