Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) will be allowed to charge fees for national criminal history checks — the background checks used by employers, schools, and licensing bodies to screen people's criminal records across all Australian states and territories. This replaces the previous charging framework under the 2016 Australian Crime Commission Act, giving the ACIC a legal basis to continue funding its services through these charges, which cover the costs of maintaining the national system and allowing other services to remain free for police and government agencies. The fees will be set by the responsible Minister after considering recommendations from a committee that includes police representatives from all levels of government, ensuring the charging system reflects the needs of those who rely on these checks.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause