Background checking
Background checking involves gathering information about a person from a variety of sources. The sources can include:
- criminal history certificates from CrimTrac and the AFP
- a security assessment from ASIO, and
- a right to work check from DIAC.
In the case of maritime and aviation Security Identification Cards (SIC), information about an individual is checked against established criteria to determine their suitability to access secure areas of air and sea ports. The individual’s eligibility to hold a SIC is then reported to the Issuing Body that requested the background check. It is then up to the Issuing Body to decide whether to issue a SIC to an eligible individual. A SIC cannot be granted to a person who is assessed as ineligible.
Background checks are carried out with the full knowledge of the individual, who provides the personal information that is then assessed. All personal information is dealt with in strict accordance with the Information Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988.