Spent Convictions Schemes - General Information

The aim of spent convictions legislation is to prevent discrimination on the basis of certain previous convictions.

Spent convictions legislation limits the use and disclosure of older, less serious convictions and findings of guilt. Spent convictions of specific offences will be released where the check is required for certain purposes regardless of how old they are. Each Australian police agency will apply the relevant Spent Convictions legislation/information release policy prior to disclosure.

The police are responsible for administering relevant legislation or information release policies. Please contact your state or territory police agency if you need more information or clarification. The following links may be helpful in finding spent convictions and release policy information:

• Commonwealth
• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

If your check result contains a conviction that you believe should be spent, you can dispute the result.