What is a spent conviction in Victoria?
A spent conviction is an older conviction that, after a set period without reoffending, no longer appears on most criminal history checks. Victoria has a spent convictions scheme that limits when older convictions have to be disclosed. Here's how it works.
How a conviction becomes spent
Many convictions become spent automatically after a conviction-free period (longer for adults than for children). Some serious convictions don't become spent automatically and may require an application to a body such as the Magistrates' Court.
What "spent" means
Once spent, a conviction generally doesn't show on a standard police check and usually doesn't have to be disclosed, though there are exceptions — for example certain roles like working with children or some licensing.
Why it matters
The scheme helps people move on from old, minor offending for employment and other purposes. Whether a specific conviction is spent — and whether an exception applies — depends on the details.
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