Compulsory requirements
If your degree includes activities where you’ll interact with patients or the public, such as clinical placements, field visits, or work in Adelaide University clinics and gyms, you must hold valid Australian screening clearances for the full duration of that activity.
These clearances involve criminal history and background checks, which assess your record against state and national databases. They’re a legal requirement for organisations working with children and vulnerable adults.
You’re responsible for ensuring your clearances remain valid throughout your placement.
Adelaide University requires each clearance to be renewed every one to five years, depending on the type.
Some placement venues may have stricter requirements, and you’ll be notified via InPlace (a link to the declaration will appear in your “To do” list on your InPlace homepage) - or via email from the Health Placements Unit (HPU). If you’re unsure, contact the HPU directly.
You’ll need:
- A Criminal History Check (CHC) certificate through National Crime Check
- A Working with Children Check from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Screening Unit
- A DHS Disability Employment Screening Check (if completed before 1 February 2021) or an NDIS Worker Screening Check (if completed after 2 February 2021).
Professional placement student declaration
Placements are a key part of your program, and it's important that you understand your professional responsibilities while on placement.
The Professional Placement Student Declaration outlines your obligations when undertaking placements with partner organisations. This online form replaces the previous Consent and Authority to Release form.
Before starting any placement, you’ll need to read and acknowledge each section of the declaration. If you're enrolled in a course or program delivered by Adelaide University College of Health that includes a professional placement, a link to the declaration will appear in your “To do” list on your InPlace homepage.
You’ll also receive an email notification when it’s time to complete the form.
Once submitted, the declaration will apply for the duration of your program and all placements. Completing it is mandatory before you begin any placement.
Applying for a Criminal History Check (CHC)
Apply for your Criminal History Check online
Adelaide University has partnered with National Crime Check (NCC) to offer a fast, easy and cost-effective way for you to complete your Criminal History Check entirely online.
Before you apply
Allow at least 5–10 working days from the date you submit your ID documents. Delays may occur if additional information is required from interstate or international jurisdictions.
How to apply
Apply directly via the NCC portal:
Need help?
If you have questions about your application, contact NCC at support@nationalcrimecheck.com.au. Include your full name and date of birth in your email.
Important information
- NCC will not reissue your certificate if it is lost.
- Do not upload tax receipts to InPlace as evidence.
- If you already hold a valid National Police Certificate, International Fit2Work Clearance or other ACIC-accredited check, it may be accepted if it includes the correct wording:
- Occupation/Position: Health and Aged Care University Placement
- Proposed place of work: <Adelaide University Health Care Sector Placement>
These details will be prefilled if you use the NCC online application.
Applying to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for a Working with Children Check and NDIS Screening
Screening requirements for placements in South Australia
All students undertaking a placement in South Australia must hold current Department of Human Services (DHS) screening checks for both:
- Working With Children Check – valid for five years
- NDIS Worker Screening Check – valid for five years*
You can apply for these screenings directly through the DHS Screening Unit portal.
Applying for an International Police Clearance (International Students)
You’ll need to complete an international criminal history check if you’ve:
- Lived outside Australia for more than six months as an adult (18 years or older), or
- Declared a criminal history in a country outside Australia.
Checks must be completed through either Fit2Work or AIS International.
If you’ve already completed an international check as part of your AHPRA application, you can use that clearance as evidence.
Processing times vary by country, but most checks are completed within 5 to 15 working days. Delays may occur depending on local government agencies. We recommend contacting your chosen provider to confirm expected timeframes.
If this applies to you, visit the Fit2Work or AIS International website to learn more and start your application. For any questions, please contact your preferred provider directly.
Your international police clearance is valid for 12 months. After this period, you’ll need to obtain an Australian Criminal History Check (CHC) accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Aged care requirements
Additional requirements for aged care organisations under Department of Health and Aged Care compliance standards:
Individuals who have lived outside Australia at any time after turning 16 must provide a statutory declaration confirming they have not been convicted of murder or sexual assault, and have not been convicted and imprisoned for any other form of assault during their time overseas. A criminal record of this nature disqualifies a person from working in or being placed within an aged care service if they will have unsupervised access to care recipients.
In addition to the statutory declaration, which can be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, the individual must also obtain a criminal history clearance covering the period they have lived in Australia since the age of 16.