Background Checks for Employment

Larmandos on 26/08/2019 - 21:10
Last edited 26/08/2019 - 23:39

Hey All,

I have a question and wanting to see if I can get some help here.

My understanding in Australia, apart from employment history and education, a background check would typically be a criminal, traffic offences and bankruptcy check.

1) Am I right in saying this or are there other checks such as credit checks?
2) Would there be checks that you have been overseas (which is seperate to the criminal checks while you are overseas)?
2) Would non-financial companies (such as market research) or even HR departments in financial companies be less stringent on these checks including whether you have been overseas?

Many thanks everybody.

Edit: To clarify, my situation is more of the below.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/479622#comment-7658252

Education & Work

Comments

  • SharedSugar on 26/08/2019 - 21:36
    +3

    It depends on the job. If you need a security clearance the screening can be very thorough. It could include medical, residence, travel and association

    • armandos on 26/08/2019 - 22:13

      Thanks!

      I am mainly wanting to know for financial and non-financial companies in the private sector for my questions above…

  • Quantumcat on 26/08/2019 - 21:54
    +1

    Generally you are told if you are getting a police check as you'll need to sign it. I don't think they'll go into any other detail. A security clearance will be different and you'll get the job before they start that separate, arduous process. You would only get a security clearance for federal government work though. And it will say in the job ad if one is needed (since if you are not a citizen you can't get one to save you the trouble of applying).

    • armandos on 26/08/2019 - 22:14

      Thanks heaps!

      I am mainly wanting to know for financial and non-financial companies in the private sector for my questions above…

  • trustnoone on 26/08/2019 - 22:54
    +2

    Criminal offence and similar, some are very particular if you have issues with the law will be the main check as far as I know. Then background in terms of your degree will be checked as well. I don't know many that would go much further then that, unless there were clear reason too (security clearance, personal data, working with children etc).

    I couldn't imagine there be much more to be honest, remember these checks cost money, a police check or uni degree check is easy, because they just fill out a form and pull out data from some database. But if you want to do a check on previous employment, other countries etc you need someone do to a full blown check like spend a whole day paid googling, researching and contacting people about you.

    Unless you're somewhere special, don't know many places that would spend the extra money.

    • armandos on 26/08/2019 - 23:34

      Many thanks for your input! Glad to know not many would go further than criminal offence check or similar

      More so my situation is as below:
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/479622#comment-7658252

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2019 - 23:07

      I wouldn't want be in association with, much less hire someone who has been flagged to be unfit to be around children.

        • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2019 - 10:50
          +1

          Bricks have holes. I wouldn't trust them with it.

    • armandos on 26/08/2019 - 23:31

      Thanks! I have no issues with being unfit around children.

      More so my situation is as below:
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/479622#comment-7658252

    • coin saver on 27/08/2019 - 18:52

      In NSW the Working With Children Check for paid workers currently costs $80. The Working With Children Check is free for volunteers.

    • coin saver on 28/08/2019 - 15:10

      So how do these employers get the free NSW Working With Children's Check?

  • DingoBilly on 26/08/2019 - 23:20
    +2

    Why not just come out and say what you did and we'll be in a much better position to say what your chances look like?

    Seems like you got yourself into some issues overseas but participating in financial fraud would be different than say going into bankruptcy. Hard to judge seriousness of issue without knowing what happened. It doesn't bode well if you feel you need to hide it though.

    • armandos on 26/08/2019 - 23:29

      Yeah you are right.

      Perhaps it’s better I clarify. I had issues with my previous job and I left. As a result I have been suffering from depression and have been out of work for a number of years. I am having the issue now on how to fill in this gap that I have on my resume.

      A big mess I have gotten myself into, so would appreciate if anyone here in this community could help with what I should do.

      • Quantumcat on 27/08/2019 - 06:54
        +1

        Don't lie and pretend you were working as they might check random previous employers

      • brad1-8tsi on 27/08/2019 - 08:11

        Just leave it as a blank. If they ask you say that you took time off and weren't looking for work during that period. Did you do any study or care for any family members in that period?

        I had similar in 2007. I just said I was primary carer for my 2 kids, day trading and doing house renovations (which I was) while my wife was going through a particularly busy period at work (which she wasn't).

  • Ryanek on 27/08/2019 - 09:08

    Just a reminder… don't source your urine tests from a pregnant woman.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2019 - 14:56

    My most recent one checked everything from my degree, employment history of last 3 years, previous managers/HR and criminal history - Fortune 500 company

    • Icecold5000 on 28/08/2019 - 17:42

      I worked for a Fortune 500 as well. Two years in they said the checks hadn't been carried out according to their database and they need to start the process. Mongcity

  • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2019 - 13:28
    +1

    If you need one, the employer will pay.
    If they want you to pay for one, theyre a lousy company and you should run

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