Applying for an early assessment of character and suitability

Updated 1 August 2025

If you are concerned about any potential suitability issues, you can apply for an early character and suitability assessment at any time.

This means we will look at any issues covered by our Assessment of Character and Suitability Rules.

This is a voluntary application. You only need to disclose character and suitability issues at admission.

We are not bound, in any subsequent application for admission, by any decision made at this stage. If your circumstances are the same when you apply for admission, we will likely make our decision binding.

How to apply

This voluntary application will be closed from 1 August until 31 October 2025.

This is so we can prioritise admission and restoration to the roll applications during our busiest period.

We will consider your character and suitability if you apply to be admitted or restored to the roll.

If you want an early character and suitability assessment after 31 October 2025, you can check our rules to see if you have any issues we need to consider, gather the evidence you need to provide with your application and complete our background screening checks, which we encourage you to do no earlier than 1 October 2025.

Providing information with your application

You will need to upload evidence as part of your application. Take a look at what evidence you will need.

If you do not give us the information needed within the time limits we set, your incomplete application will be closed.

What to expect after submitting your application

We will review your application and supporting evidence provided. We will contact you within 30 days to request any missing information.

When to expect a decision

We aim decide within six months of receiving a completed application.

Fee

There is no fee for the application.

Refusal

If we are considering the refusal of your application, you will be given an opportunity to respond to any draft decision or report before a decision is made.

If your application is refused, you will have 28 days to apply for a review of the decision.

Following a refusal of an application, you may only make another one where there has been a material change in your circumstances relevant to your application.