• As an employer, why should I be thinking about carrying out a criminal conviction check?

Criminal conviction checks are available to all employers, regardless of industry, to help them make informed recruitment decisions and limit any potential risk to their business/reputation by employing the wrong person.

It has become commonplace now for employers to carry out criminal conviction checks on both potential and existing employees, and for some industries it is a legal requirement.

• What type of criminal conviction checks do you carry out?

We perform New Zealand Criminal Conviction checks and Australian Federal Police checks along with international criminal conviction checks where the option is available, using the best local methods in each country.   

• What is a Criminal Conviction check? (All convictions or Traffic Convictions) NZ.

This is a document that lists disclosable criminal and traffic convictions resulting from a court appearance recorded by the Ministry of Justice under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004.

Employrite is authorized to provide you with a NZ Criminal Conviction check.

• There seem to be lots of different names given to Criminal Conviction checks?

Yes there are a lot of different names given to these checks:-

1. Criminal History check
2. Criminal Record Check
3. Criminal Check
4. Criminal Conviction History
5. National Police Check
6. Police Check
7. Police Record
8. Police file

• Is a Police check and a Police Vetting the same thing?

No, they are not the same thing.  Police provide a vetting service for approved agencies that provide care to children, older people and vulnerable members of society in NZ.  Agencies wanting to be approved users of the New Zealand Police Vetting Service should refer to the New Zealand Police Vetting Service.

A Police Vetting result may include any information held by the New Zealand Police whereas a Ministry of Justice criminal record check will only contain conviction history.

Employrite is an approved agency registered to complete Police Vettings

• How long do the criminal records checks take?

Our online system makes the process quick and simple.

Turnaround times in New Zealand are three working days, Australian Federal Police 7 working days, unless pending.   When lodging directly with the Ministry of Justice direct, this can take more than 20 working days.  The highest priority service is three working days.

• What has to be provided for a Criminal Conviction Check?

The specific “Request for a criminal conviction history” form requires completion and signing accompanied by a copy of Driver Licence or Passport or New Zealand Firearms Licence.  With modern technology and the online system, these can be provided with ease.

• Can you perform international criminal checks?

Yes. We are able to conduct international criminal checks through best local methods and can provide you with advice and guidance on the different regulations and availability in each country.  Turnaround times for international checks will vary from country to country. However, we will advise you at the time of application.

• Will I be notified if there is a problem?

We always inform you immediately about any adverse information we discover.

• Does a Criminal Conviction Check have an expiry date?

A Criminal Conviction check is a “snapshot in time” or “point in time check” that has no specific period of validity or expiry date.  Many of our clients adopt annual screening as best practice and to mitigate any potential risks. This is of particular importance for any regulated industries.

• Is Employrite’s result the same as one from the Ministry of Justice?

Yes.  You receive exactly the same document that you would receive directly from the Ministry of Justice.  It comes from the same place.

• What does Employrite have to offer over other companies?

Our process allows you to access an efficient online system with a process that is convenient and user friendly and fast!  We notify you when the file is complete and you can download the information.  We have been in business for over thirty years and our reputation is well known for consistent reliable delivery.

• What does it mean when a criminal record is concealed?

To have previous convictions concealed under the (Clean Slate) Act, all criteria must be met in section 7 of the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004

The general criteria is that you must have:-

1. no convictions within the last 7 years
2. never been sentenced to a custodial sentence (e.g. imprisonment, borstal, corrective training)
3. not have been convicted of a “specified offence” (e.g. sexual offending against children, young people or the mentally impaired)
4. have paid in full any fine, reparation or costs ordered b the Court in a criminal case
5. never have been indefinitely disqualified from driving under Section 65 Land Transport Act 1998 or earlier equivalent provision

• Can I get a faster result than the one you offer?

No Employrite receives the top priority service of three working days and there is no faster delivery time available.

• How do I get my results?

You can download them off our system.