The short answer

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026 Explained

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026 is a government bill introduced in the House of Representatives on 25 March 2026 by the Home Affairs portfolio. It forms part of a legislative package introduced alongside the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026. The bill imposes a 'national policing information charge' on applications made to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for a nationally coordinated criminal history check service. As of July 2026, the bill remains before the House of Representatives. It has been referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and has been considered by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, which published its findings in Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2026 on 6 May 2026.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What the Bill Proposes

The bill creates a statutory framework for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) to impose a charge on applications for nationally coordinated criminal history checks. This is a companion measure to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026, which was introduced on the same day and contains the broader reforms to the ACIC's functions and powers.

The 'national policing information charge' would apply to each application made to the ACIC for a nationally coordinated criminal history check service. This service allows individuals and organisations to obtain a national criminal history check for employment, volunteering, licensing and other purposes. The charge would provide a revenue mechanism to support the ACIC's operation of the national criminal history checking system.

Evidence review

Why a Charge Is Being Introduced

Nationally coordinated criminal history checks are a core function of the ACIC. They involve the coordination of police information from all Australian jurisdictions to produce a comprehensive criminal history report. The ACIC currently operates this service and charges fees for certain categories of checks.

The bill provides a clear legislative basis for charging, ensuring the ACIC has the legal authority to impose and collect fees for this service. This is part of the broader reform of the ACIC's legislative framework being undertaken through the companion ACIC Bill 2026. A legislative charge provides greater transparency and consistency than administrative fee arrangements.

Evidence review

Relationship to the ACIC Bill 2026

This bill cannot be understood in isolation. It is part of a legislative package introduced on 25 March 2026 that includes the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 — the primary bill that reforms the ACIC's governance, functions and powers. The National Policing Information Charges Bill is the financial companion that enables the reformed ACIC to charge for criminal history check services.

Parliament is considering both bills concurrently. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, to which the package has been referred, is examining both bills together, recognising their interdependence.

Evidence review

Parliamentary Progress

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on 25 March 2026 and the second reading was moved on the same day. As of July 2026, the bill has not progressed beyond the second reading stage in the House. No proposed amendments have been circulated.

The bill has been referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) for inquiry and report. The referral was made on 30 March 2026. The Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills considered the bill and published its findings in Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2026 on 6 May 2026. The scrutiny committee's observations may inform parliamentary debate when the bill returns to the chamber.

Evidence review

Scrutiny Committee Considerations

The Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills examined the bill as part of its regular function of assessing whether legislation unduly trespasses on personal rights and liberties, or inappropriately delegates legislative power. Its findings were published in Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2026. Scrutiny committee reports often raise questions about the clarity of offence provisions, the breadth of delegated legislation powers, and the adequacy of parliamentary oversight.

The specific matters raised by the scrutiny committee were published in the digest and are available for parliamentarians to consider during debate on the bill.

Evidence review

Who Is Affected

The bill directly affects individuals and organisations that apply for nationally coordinated criminal history checks through the ACIC. This includes: people seeking employment in roles requiring a criminal history check (such as aged care, childcare, education and security); volunteers working with vulnerable people; and organisations that request criminal history checks as part of their recruitment or compliance processes.

State and territory police agencies that contribute data to the national criminal history checking system are also indirectly affected, as the charging framework may influence the volume and nature of check applications. The ACIC itself is the primary agency affected, as the bill provides the legal basis for its charging activities.

Evidence review

What Happens Next

The bill awaits further debate in the House of Representatives following the PJCIS inquiry. The committee's report will inform parliamentary consideration. If the bill passes the House, it will proceed to the Senate. Given it is a government bill, it has a pathway to passage, though the Senate's composition means crossbench support may be required.

If passed by both houses, the bill would receive Royal Assent and commence on a date to be fixed by proclamation, or on a default commencement date. The charge would then apply to criminal history check applications made from the commencement date.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Will this bill make criminal history checks more expensive?

The bill provides the legislative basis for the ACIC to impose a charge. Whether this results in higher fees compared to current arrangements depends on the specific charge amounts, which would be set through delegated legislation or administrative determination. The explanatory memorandum should be consulted for details on the intended fee structure.

Is this bill the same as the ACIC Bill 2026?

No. This is a separate but companion bill. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 contains the main reforms to the ACIC's functions and governance. This bill specifically deals with the charging mechanism for nationally coordinated criminal history checks.

What is the status of the bill in Parliament?

As of July 2026, the bill is before the House of Representatives at the second reading stage. It has been referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and has been examined by the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee. It has not yet been debated or voted on.

Who administers the criminal history check system?

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is responsible for the nationally coordinated criminal history check system. It works with state and territory police agencies to compile and provide criminal history information for authorised purposes such as employment screening and licensing.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Bill passes House or Senate; PJCIS report tabled; scrutiny committee recommendations adopted or rejected; charge amounts gazetted

Archive note: Article based on bill as introduced on 25 March 2026 and parliamentary progress as at July 2026. The companion Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 should be read for full context of the legislative package.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.