Police Checks
Like all employment situations, choosing the right person for volunteer positions is vital. Ensuring their skills and experience matches the role helps to ensure that everyones expectations are met.
Establishing clear recruitment processes and practices can be of great benefit to organisations for these purposes. Volunteer Canada's '10 Safe Steps' (external link) is an excellent tool for assisting in the selection process.
Volunteer Organisation Authorisation Number (VOAN)
Police checks are sometimes included as one part of the risk management and screening processes organisations can adopt to ensure a safe environment. The South Australian
Government meets the cost of police checks for
volunteers who work with 'vulnerable groups' such
as children, the aged and frail, or people with
a disability.
To obtain this benefit, eligible organisations must apply for a Volunteer Organisation Authorisation Number (VOAN)(external link).
Further information
- Download a Free Police Checks for Volunteers fact sheet — (315 kb PDF)developed by the Office for Volunteers
- Visit the SA Police website (external link)
NB: Once a VOAN has been issued to an organisation the number is to be used with all volunteer applications for police checks submitted by the organisation.
However, each individual to be checked will need to complete the application for National Police Certificate and have it endorsed by the organisation.
National Police Certificate
A National Police Certificate (NPC), often referred to as a 'police check', provides a national summary of an individual's offender history. It is generally requested by organisations as one part of their process to ensure the integrity of their staff or volunteers(external link).
National Police Certificate Application forms can be downloaded and completed online before printing. Fees (external link) apply (unless submitted with a current endorsed VOAN number, see above).
Applicants who are unable to complete an online form can contact Records Release Unit to request a hard copy form to be posted to them, or attend a police station.
