Criminal history checks

All applicants for teacher registration (except those applying under the Mutual Recognition scheme - Form B) must complete a criminal history check at the time of applying for registration. The Board will be unable to process applications until a criminal history check has been received. Information received through these processes will be stored in secure files at the office of the Board. They will be used only for the purposes of registration as required under the legislative provisions for confidentiality.

Applicants for registration and authorisation are encouraged to apply to SAFE-NT for a Working With Children Clearance (WWCC) rather than simply a Criminal History Check (CHC), and sign the special section for ‘Teachers only’ on Page 2 of the WWCC Application Form which will allow SAFE-NT to forward the National Police Certificate directly to the TRB office.

For currently registered teachers,  the TRB recommends that when you apply for a WWCC, that you sign the special section for ‘Teachers only’ on Page 2 which will allow SAFE-NT to forward the National Police Certificate directly to the TRB office. It could be the case that your current employer will pay for your first WWCC. The Board encourages you to contact your HR section for advice.

Australian criminal history clearances

If you are currently living in Australia or have ever lived in Australia you must arrange for the Board to be provided with an original National Police Certificate issued by the NT Police.

The NT Police has established a business unit that has sole responsibility for criminal history record checks for employment purposes in the NT. This unit is called SAFE-NT (Screening Assessment For Employment NT).

The following changes now apply to the process for applying for a National Police Certificate via SAFE-NT:

A clearer and self-explanatory Criminal History Check Application Form (PF095) (pdf 156 kb)

• You must show 100 points of identification (ID) to be verified by an authorised person
• You need to attach a certified photocopy of one piece of photo ID to the form
• In Section A of the form indicate that you are seeking a Name Check only, for which the fee is $52
• In Section C of the form indicate that you need an Employment Check for the occupation of Teacher and tick 'Yes' to indicate that you will be working with vulnerable people (as the term vulnerable persons used in the Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) Act includes children)
• You must complete Section D and nominate (tick 'Yes') for the original results of the check to go directly to the Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory:
      Postal Address: GPO Box 1675, Darwin NT 0801
      Phone: (08) 8944 9388
      Position title: The Director
• If you reside in the NT you can lodge your application in person at SAFE-NT or any NT Police Station
• If you do not reside in the NT you are able to mail your completed application to SAFE-NT

The Board will only accept the original results of a criminal history check received directly from the NT Police.
For more information call 1800 723 368, email safent.police@nt.gov.au or visit www.nt.gov.au/safent.

Overseas criminal history clearances

If you have lived overseas you must provide an original criminal history clearance from any jurisdiction in which you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years or since attaining the age of 18 years. Applicants in this category are encouraged to contact the Board to discuss your individual circumstances and the Board's requirements. Please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for information on the process for sourcing the required criminal history clearances from overseas countries. Special arrangements apply to applicants who have resided in the UK and are seeking a UK criminal history clearance for teacher registration/employment purposes only, and you are encouraged to contact the Board for further information.