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Clinical placement checks and clearances
National police check
You will be required to get a national police check (also known as a police certificate, police clearance certificate, criminal history check or criminal record check) before you can attend a placement in a NSW Ministry of Health facility. Many other placements will also require this check. Your check needs to be clear to ensure you can attend your placement.
More information can be found on the NSW Health website.
The name appearing on your National police check must match the name on your University student identification card. If they do not match the national police check will not be accepted by NSW Health. If your name changes during the course of your degree you will need to obtain and submit a new National police check.
If you are a higher degree by research student, check the application requirements below and contact the Office of Clinical Education Support at fmh-hdr.verification@sydney.edu.au as they will manage the submission of your documents to NSW Health.
How to apply
Domestic students
If you are an Australian citizen or Australian resident, you need to apply online for a national police check. This can be done through one of the accredited bodies listed on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) website.
Police checks (also referred to as Criminal Record Checks) are valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
International students
You need to apply online for a national police check. This can be done through one of the accredited bodies listed on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) website.
You will also need to provide either:
- a completed NSW Health statutory declaration. This needs to be signed by a authorised witness, such as a Justice of the Peace.
- a national criminal record check with a certified translation from your home country, or any country where you have been a citizen or permanent resident since turning 16 years of age.
If you are an international student or have resided overseas since the age of 18, you will need to provide both an Australian police check and either a police check from your home country or complete a Statutory Declaration witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.
If you have a criminal history
If you have a criminal history, this will not always prevent you from attending your placement.
You will need to apply for an assessment through HealthShare NSW Employment Screening and Review Unit. Depending on the nature of your criminal history, you may be provided with a Clinical Placement Authority Card or a Conditional Letter and will be allowed to complete your clinical placement.
To apply for an assessment, contact the HealthShare NSW Employment Screening and Review Unit directly on +61 2 8848 5175.
If you've lived in multiple countries
In this instance, it would be simpler to complete a Statutory Declaration with a Justice of the Peace and this will cover you for all countries. Find a Justice of the Peace.
Last updated: 27 October 2023
