Applicants’ backgrounds are checked by the employers to ensure they are qualified. Various checks are made by the employer before hiring, and it usually depends on the nature of the job one is looking for. These background checks are conducted after you have passed the initial stage of hiring. They confirm whether the information provided is valid or not.
Many students either international or local, are seeking part-time jobs during their studies.
They undergo background checks to ensure that they follow legal and safety standards. In this article, we will explore the essential background checks for students finding casual employment, and how these processes impact their job search and overall experience in the country.
The Importance of Background Checks
When students start seeking casual work in Australia, they assume it’s an easy process; however, employers have to go through a fair and legal process of conducting a background check. These checks ensure that both parties meet legal, health, and safety requirements, and avoid any problems down the track. It is especially important for students on temporary or student visas. Different types of jobs will involve different kinds of checks, so it is advisable to be ready for them. Let us look at the major background checks you may face.
- Identity Verification
Background checks include validation of an individual’s identity for any job applicant. When registering with employers you are required to verify your identity through your passport, driver’s license, or Australian-issued identity card. For internationals, these checks also include your student visa is still valid and you are legally allowed to work. This is so because delivering wrong or even fake documents can cause legal problems, so work only with authentic and genuine papers.
- VEVO Visa Check
For the students with a visa to study in Australia one common check is the VEVO visa check which is meant for casual jobs. This helps the employer confirm your immigration status and your right to work and whether there are any limitations on the hours of work or the kind of work that you may do. You’ll need to give your employer consent to access this info. For example, student visa holders are free to work up to forty hours per fortnight during term time but may not do so during a specified period of holiday or engage in prohibited employment. To meet immigration laws, employers need to check your VEVO status, and if they fail to, they will attract penalties. The positive news nonetheless is that the VEVO system is user-friendly and accessible to students and employers on the Internet and it is free.
- Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks are mandatory for most of the job applications in Australia. It is imperative when you are applying for a job that is concerned with children and elderly. For jobs in healthcare, childcare, and aged care, obtaining WWCC (working with child care) and NPC (national police check) is compulsory. For international students, the criminal record from their homeland will be checked and will impact them in securing the job.
- Reference Checks
Reference is the employer or professor with whom you have worked. If you are a fresher and do not have any employer references then your academic reference can be valuable. Students who have previously worked try reaching out to them. These checks provide information about the necessary experience and skills to fulfill the role.
- Right to Work Documentation
In addition to the VEVO visa check, employers may request additional right-to-work documents such as proof of your visa status, work entitlements, or enrollment in a course from an approved training provider, for the newcomers to make sure that all documents are accurate and easily retrievable. For international students work rights may be restricted by requiring full-time study or restricted working hours. These conditions should be understood to avoid problems that may impact your visa status.
- Health Checks
Some employers may conduct tests on the health status of the students, especially for jobs dealing with the food sector, health, or construction. Such checks can be limited to written questionnaires and include medical examinations based on the extent of physical or safety requirements of the job. Finally, for food-handling positions, the students may require a food hygiene certificate or a general health check may suffice.
- Digital Footprint
Your digital footprint includes information about your social media presence to determine whether you can represent the company positively.
- Credit History
Your credit history contains details on your financial status, such as any difficulties or personal debt you may have. This information may be relevant to an employer in determining whether the integrity of the candidate may be susceptible to compromise.
- Workplace Safety Training
To meet the safety standards of Australia, employers are responsible for ensuring that all employees undergo thorough training. These are required not only in casual or part-time jobs but also in industrial, manufacturing, and hospitality jobs. Students participate in this training during their part-time roles.
How long does a background check take?
The duration for conducting Australian background checks ranges between 15 minutes and 15 working days. For employment history checks it is between 1-5 working days. For the International police checks, the turnaround is 5-15 working days. Many online third-party platforms can provide a complete background check to employees within a few days.
How can I prepare for a background check?
Students can prepare before applying for a casual or part-time job. The amount of preparation depends on your circumstances and the requirements of the employer.
Keep Record:
Make sure that you keep your accurate record. This includes academic records, certificates, previous employment contracts, or any other relevant document that can be used as proof of your academic and career history.
Get a Heads Up:
If you are still determining the information the employer will get after going through your background checks, then you can request the concerned department for this information. You can get a copy of your credit score from your bank, your driving record, and even your criminal record from the local police station.
Manage your online presence or digital reputation
Nowadays, many employers check your social media presence as it gives them a wealth of information about a candidate that is typically not represented on a resume or during an interview. Try to have a private account if you share personal photos as it might affect the company poorly. However, if your public account is for marketing purposes and has a ton of following then try to make it such that it would blend with the company’s vision.
Maintain Honesty:
It’s important to talk to the hiring manager about any information in your background check that an employer might find troubling. By doing this, you can alert them and prevent the impression that you were purposefully hiding something. Additionally, companies will appreciate your honesty and transparency if you disclose beforehand.
Notify References
Communicate with your references in advance that you have applied for a job and that they may be contacted. This might help ensure that your references can prepare an appropriate response ahead of time based on the specific type of role for which you are applying and on the company that it is with. This will also help ensure that your references respond on time when contacted by the employer.
When Australian international students search for casual employment, they should expect employers to conduct background checks. They can cover ID checks, checks against the VEVO visa checklist, criminal record checks, reference checks, and sometimes health and safety documents. Students should therefore ensure that they check for visa formalities and ensure they have the necessary papers updated. It is during these checks that you get a job, get experience, and work towards the best times in Australia.