Everything you need to safely vet contractors and staff before they enter a client's home — country by country, step by step.
Select your country
US law is governed federally by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and varies by state. All consumer background checks must use an FCRA-compliant provider. You must get written consent before running any check.
The industry standard for gig and service businesses. Full FCRA compliance built in, fast turnaround (often under 24hrs), and integrates with most hiring tools. Best for operators running ongoing hiring.
Best for operators with 10+ hires/month. More comprehensive checks including international history. Used by large service franchises. Requires account setup but pricing improves at volume.
Clean UI, no subscription needed, pay per check. Good for operators just starting out who want a simple flow. FCRA compliant, results in 1–3 days.
| Check Type | Required? | Why it matters | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Criminal Search | Must have | Covers federal and state-level criminal records across the US | Included in most packages |
| County Criminal Search | Must have | More granular than national — checks county courthouse records directly | $5–15 add-on |
| Sex Offender Registry | Must have | Legally essential for anyone entering residential properties | Included in most packages |
| SSN Trace & Address History | Must have | Verifies identity and surfaces all jurisdictions to check | Included in most packages |
| Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) | Should have | Required if contractors will drive to jobs — checks licence validity and violations | $8–15 add-on |
| Employment Verification | Optional | Confirms stated work history — useful for senior hires | $15–25 add-on |
| Drug Screening | Optional | Some insurance policies require this for residential workers | $30–60 add-on |
UK background checks are governed by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR). For domestic workers, a Basic DBS check is standard. Enhanced DBS is for roles working with vulnerable people.
The UK market leader for service businesses. Handles DBS applications, Right to Work verification and credit checks in one dashboard. Fast, compliant, and used by major cleaning franchises across the UK.
UK-only specialist, very straightforward for DBS applications. Good for operators who just need basic and standard DBS without enterprise complexity. Turnaround often 24–48hrs.
If you operate in Scotland, basic disclosures must go through Disclosure Scotland directly (not DBS). The process is similar but has its own portal. Free for individuals, small fee via third parties.
| Check Type | Required? | Why it matters | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to Work | Must have | Legally mandatory before employment starts — employer can be fined £20K per illegal worker | Free (you do it) |
| Basic DBS | Must have | Shows unspent convictions — standard for domestic service workers | £18–25/check |
| Credit Check | Should have | Useful for staff handling client payments or keys | £8–15 add-on |
| Reference Check (2 refs) | Should have | Confirms previous employment and character — strong deterrent for dishonest applicants | £15–30 add-on |
| Enhanced DBS | Specialist only | Only for roles working with children or vulnerable adults — not standard cleaning | £38–55/check |
In Canada, background checks are governed by provincial privacy laws (PIPEDA federally, plus provincial equivalents). A Police Information Check (PIC) is the standard for service workers. You must have written consent before running any check.
Sterling's Canadian division handles province-specific compliance, RCMP-based criminal checks, and right to work verification for foreign nationals. Best all-in-one solution for multi-province operators.
Canada-only background check provider now part of Sterling. Strong provincial coverage and fast turnaround. Good interface for small to mid-size operators. Results in 1–3 business days.
Candidates can obtain a Police Information Check directly from their local police service or RCMP detachment. Slower (1–3 weeks) and the candidate pays the fee (~CAD $25–45), but fully valid.
| Check Type | Required? | Why it matters | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Record Check (PRC) | Must have | Core criminal record check — equivalent to DBS Basic in the UK | CAD $25–45/check |
| Right to Work verification | Must have | Mandatory — confirm work authorisation before start date | Free (you do it) |
| Vulnerable Sector Check | Should have | Required if any work involves elderly or disabled clients in their homes | CAD $30–65/check |
| Reference Check | Should have | Confirms previous employment — important for contractors entering client homes | CAD $20–40 add-on |
| Credit Check | Optional | For staff handling payments or with access to client financial info | CAD $15–25 add-on |
In Australia, background checks are governed by the Privacy Act 1988 and state-based legislation. A National Police Check (NPC) through the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is the standard for service workers. Checks must be used for a "permitted purpose" and you need candidate consent.
Australia's leading background check provider. ACIC-accredited, fully digital process, results typically in 24–72 hours. Excellent for service businesses with ongoing hiring needs. Bulk pricing available.
Australian National Character Check — ACIC-accredited and well priced. Simple portal, candidate-driven process. Good option if you want the candidate to self-fund their own check as part of onboarding.
Sterling's Australian division suits operators with 15+ hires per month. Handles international background checks for workers from overseas, and integrates with ATS platforms.
| Check Type | Required? | Why it matters | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Police Check (NPC) | Must have | Core check across all Australian states and territories via ACIC | AUD $39–55/check |
| VEVO (visa/work rights) | Must have | Mandatory for non-citizens — confirms valid work entitlements | Free |
| Working with Children Check | State-dependent | Required in NSW, VIC, QLD for workers entering homes with children present | AUD $10–80 (state-run) |
| Reference Check (2 refs) | Should have | Strongly recommended for anyone entering client homes unsupervised | AUD $20–40 add-on |
| International Criminal Check | Optional | For workers who have lived overseas in the last 10 years | AUD $40–80 add-on |
| Credit Check | Optional | Useful for roles with client payment handling | AUD $15–25 add-on |