Criminal Records Checks: Confidentiality and What you are looking for  

Criminal records checks are normally required on any student under the age of 15
before they can participate in any work practice.


Employers, or anyone who has direct supervision of a student, are required to submit to a criminal records check. The employer is the responsible person who has signed the student's work experience form. It is the decision of the employer and the school if any other supervisor or manager will require background checks.

All students under 15 years of age, who are undertaking work experience, have to submit to criminal checks. Employers and supervisors do not have to consent to criminal records checks, however, if they choose not, then the work experience will be delayed, and possible canceled. Under law, employers and anyone who has direct supervision of a student must sign a written consent form before any criminal background checks.

The Information Privacy Act protects the rights of all citizens of the United States. The information in criminal background checks is confidential. No details of the results can be released to any party. It is illegal for anyone to breech this law.

Certain employers cannot employ an individual with a multi-state offender status without first having a fingerprint check conducted. Criminal record checks are examined by using a list of crimes referenced in multi-state offender status. The crimes that are listed in the law are referred to as "covered crimes. Applicants that have been arrested, charged, or convicted of a "covered crime," are determined to be unsatisfactory.