International News
Australia: The "70/30" Problem - Background Check Delays
By Steve Brownstein · April 15, 2026
In Australia, the National Police Checking Service is currently operating on what experts call the "70/30 Rule."
- The Instant Minority: Only about 70% of checks are "instant."
- The Manual Minority: The other 30%—the "Manual Minority"—are referred to local police for physical review.
- The Delay: For anyone with a common name or a multi-state residency history, the check can stay "In Progress" for weeks as it moves through various state jurisdictions, each with different workloads.
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