Overseas (international) criminal history checks

1. I am currently registered.  Do I need to obtain an overseas criminal history check when I apply to renew or for a different category of registration?

Currently registered teachers are required to provide with their application, an overseas criminal history check from each country they have resided in for a cumulative* period of 12 months or more, from 18 years of age, during their current registration period. While the Board will have regard to any evidence provided with respect to an applicant’s overseas criminal history, in order to provide reasonable assurance concerning the validity of the check, applicants must obtain a check from the Board’s preferred provider.

Refer to Currently Registered Teachers for more information on overseas criminal history checks for existing teachers. 

*Cumulative – the total time spent in the country in your current registration period.

Example – If you currently hold Full Registration, which was last renewed in 2018, and you spent 6 months in the UK in 2019 and another 6 months in 2020, the total time spent in the UK would be 12 months within your current registration period. You would therefore be required to provide an overseas criminal history checks from the UK when you apply to renew your registration in 2022.

2. I am not currently registered.  Do I need to obtain an overseas criminal history check when I apply for registration?

Applicants not currently registered with the TRBWA are required to provide, with their application, an overseas criminal history check from each country they have resided in for a cumulative* period of 12 months or more, from 18 years of age, during the 10 years prior to making their application for registration. While the Board will have regard to any evidence provided with respect to an applicant’s overseas criminal history, in order to provide reasonable assurance concerning the validity of the check, applicants must obtain a check from the Board’s preferred provider.

Refer to Becoming Registered for more information on overseas criminal history checks for applicants.

*Cumulative – the total time spent in each individual country in the 10 years prior to application.

Example – If you are not currently registered, this means that if you spent 6 months in the UK in 2020 and another 6 months in 2021, the total time spent in the UK would be 12 months in the past 10 years. You would therefore be required to provide an overseas criminal history check from the UK.

3. How do I obtain an overseas criminal history check?

When you apply for teacher registration via Teacher Login on the TRBWA website, you will be redirected to the AIS International Applicant Portal to obtain your overseas criminal history check.

You will receive an email from AIS International when the results of your overseas criminal history check are available. The results of your overseas criminal history check will also be provided to the TRBWA.

If you have any questions regarding your overseas criminal history check application, please contact AIS International on:

Telephone: 1300 300 007
Email: info@aisintl.com.au
Website: www.aisintl.com.au

4. Why AIS International and not other providers?

The TRBWA selected AIS International as its service provider after an open tender process and rigorous evaluation against a range of criteria.

5. What if I am unable to obtain an overseas criminal history check from a country I have resided in?

AIS International offers overseas criminal history checks from over 165 countries worldwide. If AIS International does not conduct a check for the country you resided in, the TRBWA may accept a statutory declaration.

As part of this statutory declaration, you will need to provide the following details:

• the reasons you are not able to obtain the overseas criminal history check
• what steps you took to obtain the overseas criminal history check and evidence of this
• confirm if you have or do not have a criminal history in that country.

If you are unable to obtain the required overseas criminal history check from AIS International, please contact the TRBWA to request a statutory declaration.

Please do not write your own statutory declaration or obtain one from Australia Post.

6. Will an overseas criminal history check sourced via the relevant authority in the country I resided in be accepted?

While the Board will have regard to any evidence provided with respect to an applicant’s overseas criminal history, in order to provide reasonable assurance concerning the validity of the check, applicants must obtain a check from the Board’s preferred provider.

7. Can I use the overseas criminal history check I obtained for immigration/visa purposes?

No, while the Board will have regard to any evidence provided with respect to an applicant’s overseas criminal history, in order to provide reasonable assurance concerning the validity of the check, applicants must obtain a check from the Board’s preferred provider.

8. What happens once I have submitted my request for an overseas criminal history check with AIS International?

When your overseas criminal history check application has been released by AIS International for processing, you will receive an email with a reference page and check reference number. 

AIS International will send you an email when the results of your overseas criminal history check are available. The results of your overseas criminal history check will also be provided to the TRBWA.

If you have any queries regarding your overseas criminal history check application, please contact AIS International on 1300 300 007 or email: info@aisintl.com.au.

9. How much will an overseas criminal history check cost?

A Pricing Schedule is available on the AIS International Applicant Portal. 

10. How long will an overseas criminal history check take?

The average turnaround time for an overseas criminal history check from AIS International is 10 business days. Some results, however, will take longer depending on the processing times of the agencies coordinating the checks in each country searched. 

11. Will I need to provide an English translation for my overseas criminal history check?

No, your overseas criminal history check will be issued in English.

12. Will I need to provide a copy of my overseas criminal history check?

No, the TRBWA will receive your overseas criminal history check results directly from AIS International.