South Australia act

Spent Convictions Act 2009

In ForceSA

Jurisdiction

South Australia

Collection

act

Plain English Summary

8/10 complexity

This Act allows certain convictions to become "spent" so people do not have to disclose them and others may lawfully disregard them. It sets qualification periods (generally 10 years; 5 for juvenile offences), restarts those periods if new convictions occur (s7), and requires applications to a qualified magistrate for eligible sex, designated sex‑related and prescribed public‑decency convictions (ss6A, 8A–8C). It affects convicted persons, employers, justice agencies and screening bodies by limiting disclosure and creating offences for unlawful disclosure (ss10–12).

JSON API

Deep Dive

8,201 words · generated 08/06/2026

What it does

The Spent Convictions Act 2009 (SA) mechanically limits the legal effect of specified criminal convictions after a statutory crime‑free or wound‑up period (the qualification period) or where the conduct has been decriminalised. The Act (a) defines which convictions can become "spent" (s 5), (b) sets qualification periods and rules that can delay or restart those periods (s 7), (c) creates processes for court orders that declare certain sex or public‑decency convictions to be spent (ss 8A-8C, Schedule 2), (d) prescribes the legal effect once a conviction is spent (s 10), and (e) creates criminal offences and defences for unlawful disclosures of information about spent convictions (ss 11, 12, 14). The Act also establishes the mutual recognition principle for convictions from "recognised jurisdictions" (s 3(7), s 6), preserves records (s 16), and enables regulations including the ability to designate additional exclusions (s 17; Sch 1 cl 14).

Mechanically, once a conviction is spent under Part 2 or is quashed or pardoned (s 4), questions about a person’s criminal history are taken not to refer to that conviction, the person need not disclose it, and references to character or fitness must not be taken to require account of the spent conviction (s 10). At the same time the Act creates tailored pathways for convictions that would otherwise remain sensitive: eligible sex offences can be declared spent only by application to a "qualified magistrate" (s 8A); convictions that were for conduct that is no longer an offence (designated sex‑related offences or prescribed public decency offences) can similarly be spent by order (ss 8B, 8C). The Act also lists broad exclusions where the "disregard" principle does not operate (Schedule 1), including disclosures to justice agencies, assessments for child‑related work, and a range of official and statutory processes (Sch 1).

Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Spent Convictions Act 2009.

Spent Convictions Act 2009

South Australia Spent Convictions Act 2009 An Act to limit the effect of a person's conviction for certain offences if the person completes a period of crime‑free behaviour or if the conduct constituting the offence has been decriminalised and for other purposes.

Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 3 Preliminary 4 Meaning of spent conviction 5 Scope of Act 6 Application of Act 6A Qualified magistrates Part 2—Requirements for a conviction to become spent 7 Determination of qualification period 8 Spent conviction—general provision 8A Spent conviction for eligible sex offence 8B Spent conviction for designated sex‑related offence 8C Spent conviction for prescribed public decency offence 9 Subsequent conviction after conviction becomes spent Part 3—Effect of a conviction becoming spent Division 1—General provisions 10 Ability to disregard spent convictions 11 Unlawful disclosures—public records 12 Unlawful disclosures—business activities Division 2—Exclusions 13 Exclusions 13A Exclusions may not apply Part 4—Miscellaneous 14 Improperly obtaining information about spent convictions 15 Prerogative of mercy not affected 16 Act does not authorise destruction of records 17 Regulations Schedule 1—Exclusions a1 Application of exclusions 1 Justice agencies 2 Commonwealth agencies 3 Designated judicial authorities 4 Parole Board 5 Judicial and associated officers 6 Care of children 7 Care of vulnerable people 8 Activities associated with a character test 9 Firefighting, police and correctional services 9A Screening units 10 Official records 11 Archives and libraries 12 Reports and authorised publications 13 Non-identifying information 14 Prescribed exclusions Schedule 2—Provisions relating to proceedings before a qualified magistrate 1 Interpretation 1A Application for a spent conviction order—designated sex‑related offences and prescribed public decency offences 2 Extent of application 3 Notice of application 4 Conduct of proceedings 5 Principles governing hearings Legislative history

The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows: Part 1—Preliminary 1—Short title This Act may be cited as the Spent Convictions Act 2009. 3—Preliminary (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears— adult means a person of or above the age of 18 years; AUSTRAC means the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre continued in existence by the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 of the Commonwealth; child means a person under the age of 18 years; Commonwealth authority means— (a) a Commonwealth Minister; or (b) a Commonwealth Department; or (c) the Defence Force; or (d) a body (whether incorporated or not) established or appointed for a public purpose by or under a Commonwealth law, not being— (i) an incorporated company, society or association; or (ii) an organisation registered, or an association recognised, under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 of the Commonwealth, or a branch of such an organisation or association; or (e) a body established or appointed by the Governor‑General, or by a Commonwealth Minister, otherwise than by or under a Commonwealth law; or (f) a person holding or performing the duties of an office established by or under, or an appointment made under, a Commonwealth law other than the office of Secretary of a Commonwealth Department; or (g) a person holding or performing the duties of an appointment made by the Governor‑General, or by a Commonwealth Minister, otherwise than under a Commonwealth law; or (h) a federal court; or (i) a tribunal established under a Commonwealth law; or (j) the Australian Federal Police; Commonwealth Department means an Agency within the meaning of the Public Service Act 1999 of the Commonwealth; conviction means a conviction, whether summary or on indictment, for an offence and includes a finding which, under subsection (5), is treated as a conviction for the purposes of this Act or a case which falls within the ambit of subsection (6); corresponding law means a law of another State or of the Commonwealth that is declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law for the purposes of this Act; designated Commonwealth position means a position in a Commonwealth authority which the head of the authority has determined to be a designated security assessment position whose duties are likely to involve access to national security information classified as secret or top secret; designated judicial authority means— (a) a court or tribunal (including a military tribunal established under a law of the Commonwealth); or (b) a judicial or quasi‑judicial body brought within the ambit of this definition by the regulations; designated sex-related offence means— (a) a sex offence— (i) that is constituted by consenting adults engaging in sexual intercourse, or another form of sexual activity; or (ii) that is constituted by an adult procuring another adult to engage in consensual sexual intercourse, or another form of consensual sexual activity; or (b) an offence where— (i) the offence is constituted by consenting persons of the same sex engaging in sexual intercourse, or another form of sexual activity; and (ii) at least 1 of them is 16 or 17 years of age (and none of them is younger); and (iii) their actions would not have constituted an offence if they were not of the same sex; and (iv) no person engaged in the activity was in a position of authority in relation to another person engaged in the activity; or (c) an offence against— (i) section 69, 70 or 71 (other than section 70(1)(b) or (c)) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 before its repeal by the Criminal Law Consolidation Act Amendment Act 1972 (No 94 of 1972); or (ii) section 69 (other than section 69(1)(b)(ii) or (iii)) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 before its repeal by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act 1975 (No 66 of 1975); or (iii) any other provision, prescribed by regulation, that involves consensual sexual activity between persons of the same sex; or (d) an offence against the common law substantially corresponding to an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c); or (e) an offence of attempting, or of conspiracy or incitement, to commit an offence mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d); eligible adult offence means an offence committed by an adult for which— (a) a sentence of imprisonment is not imposed; or (b) a sentence of imprisonment is imposed but the sentence is 12 months or less; eligible juvenile offence means an offence committed while the defendant was a child where, on conviction of the defendant— (a) a sentence of imprisonment is not imposed; or (b) a sentence of imprisonment is imposed but the sentence is 24 months or less; eligible sex offence means a sex offence (being either an eligible adult offence or an eligible juvenile offence) for which a sentence of imprisonment is not imposed; intelligence or security agency means— (a) the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; or (b) the Australian Secret Intelligence Service; or (c) the Office of National Assessments; or (d) that part of the Department of Defence known as the Defence Signals Directorate; or (e) that part of the Department of Defence known as the Defence Intelligence Organisation; or (f) that part of the Department of Defence known as the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation; or (g) any other similar agency, office or part of a Commonwealth Department that has a direct involvement in national intelligence or security activities; justice agency means any of the following: (a) the Australian Federal Police; (b) the police force or service of a State; (c) the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service; (d) the National Anti‑Corruption Commission, the Australian Crime Commission, or any other similar crime or integrity commission, body, office or agency established under a law of the Commonwealth or a State; (f) AusCheck (established by the Commonwealth on 5 December 2005); (g) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; (h) the Attorney‑General for the Commonwealth or a State; (i) the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Commonwealth or a State, or a person or body performing a similar function under a law of a State; (j) staff appointed to assist a person or body referred to in paragraph (i); (k) a government department or agency of the Commonwealth or the State which is concerned, as 1 of its principal or primary duties, with the prosecution of offences or assisting with the prosecution of offences; (l) the Australian Taxation Office or the Australian Electoral Commission, in connection with any function associated with the prosecution of offences or assisting with the prosecution of offences; (m) the Department for Correctional Services or an equivalent entity in another State; (n) the Department responsible for a training centre under the Young Offenders Act 1993 or an equivalent entity in another State; (o) the Registrar or administrator of a Commonwealth or State court; (p) a person or body brought within the ambit of this definition or a corresponding definition by regulations made under this Act or under a corresponding law for the purposes of a corresponding definition; minor offence means an offence where, on conviction— (a) the defendant is discharged without penalty; or (b) the only penalty imposed on the defendant (disregarding any demerit points that may apply) is a fine not exceeding— (i) unless an amount applies under subparagraph (ii)—$500; or (ii) an amount, greater than $500, prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition; mutual recognition principle—see subsection (7); national security information means information affecting the defence, security or international relations of Australia; official record means a record kept by a court, tribunal, police force or public authority; overseas jurisdiction means a jurisdiction outside Australia and the external territories; prescribed public decency offence means an offence against public decency or morality by which homosexual behaviour could be punished (but does not include a sex offence); public authority means— (a) a public or local authority constituted by or under an Act of this State, another State or the Commonwealth; or (b) a government department of this State, another State or the Commonwealth; or (c) a statutory body representing the Crown in right of this State, another State or the Commonwealth, and includes a person performing a function on behalf of the authority, department or body; qualification period means the qualification period that applies under section 7; qualified magistrate—see section 6A; quashed—a conviction is quashed if— (a) the conviction is quashed or set aside; or (b) a finding of guilt, or a finding that a charge has been proved, is quashed or set aside; recognised jurisdiction—if a law of another State or of the Commonwealth has been declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law, then that State or the Commonwealth (as the case requires) is a recognised jurisdiction; security has the same meaning as in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 of the Commonwealth; sex offence means an offence prescribed as a sex offence for the purposes of this definition; spent, for a conviction—see section 4; State includes Territory; this jurisdiction means South Australia; tribunal means a tribunal constituted by law; work includes the following: (a) work— (i) under a contract of employment or contract for services; or (ii) in a leadership role in a religious institution or as part of the duties of a religious vocation; or (iii) as an officer of a body corporate, member of the committee of management of an unincorporated body or association or member of a partnership; or (iv) as a volunteer, other than unpaid work engaged in for a private or domestic purpose; or (v) as a self‑employed person; (b) practical training as part of a course of education or vocational training; (c) acting in a prescribed capacity or engaging in a prescribed activity. (2) If— (a) a person is convicted by a court of a number of offences; and (b) the sentencing court imposes 1 penalty for some or all of the offences, the penalty so imposed will be taken to apply in relation to each offence for the purpose of determining whether a particular offence is an eligible adult offence or an eligible juvenile offence under subsection (1). (3) In this Act, a reference to a sentence of imprisonment extends to— (a) a period of detention under the Young Offenders Act 1993; (b) a sentence of imprisonment or a period of detention that has been suspended (in whole or in part); (c) a period of detention under section 57 of the Sentencing Act 2017; (d) where a court has made a finding of a kind referred to in subsection (5)(c) and a limiting term is fixed under section 269O(2) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, or a term of an equivalent nature is fixed under a law of another jurisdiction—that limiting term or that term of an equivalent nature (as the case may be). (4) In this Act, a reference to a conviction that is spent includes a reference to the charge to which the spent conviction related and any investigation or legal process associated with the offence or the conviction. (5) The following findings are treated as convictions for the purposes of this Act: (a) a formal finding of guilt by a court; (b) a finding by a court that an offence has been proved; (c) a finding by a court that the objective elements of an offence are established in proceedings under Part 8A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 or a law of any other jurisdiction in which the defendant was found to be mentally incompetent to commit the offence or unfit to stand trial for the offence. (6) For the purposes of this Act, if an offence is taken into account for the purposes of sentencing for another offence or offences, it will be taken that there is a conviction for that offence (and that the conviction is capable of being spent). (7) The mutual recognition principle is as follows: (a) a conviction for an offence against a law of a recognised jurisdiction that is spent under the corresponding law of that jurisdiction will be taken to be spent for the purposes of Part 3 and Part 4; and (b) a conviction for an offence against a law of a recognised jurisdiction that is not spent (or has ceased to be spent) under the corresponding law of that jurisdiction will be taken not to be spent for the purposes of Part 3 and Part 4. (8) For the purposes of the definition of designated sex-related offence— (a) a person will not be taken to have engaged in an activity with his or her consent if the person would not be taken to have freely and voluntarily agreed to the activity under section 46 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935; and (b) a person is in a position of authority in relation to another person if they would be in a position of authority in relation to the person under section 49(5a) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935. 4—Meaning of spent conviction (1) For the purposes of this Act, the conviction of a person for an offence is spent if— (a) the conviction is spent under Part 2; or (b) the conviction is quashed; or (c) the person is granted a pardon for the offence. (1a) In addition, if— (a) a finding is treated as a conviction under section 3(5); but (b) — (i) in the case of a finding referred to in section 3(5)(a) and (b)—no conviction is recorded against the person; or (ii) in the case of a finding referred to in section 3(5)(c)—the defendant is released unconditionally, then the finding, as constituting a conviction for the purposes of this Act, will be taken to be immediately spent. (2) This section applies subject to the operation of section 6. 5—Scope of Act (1) The following convictions (and no other convictions) are capable of becoming spent under this Act: (a) a conviction for an eligible adult offence; (b) a conviction for an eligible juvenile offence; (c) a conviction for a designated sex‑related offence; (d) a conviction for a prescribed public decency offence. (2) However, the following convictions cannot become spent under this Act: (a) a conviction of a body corporate; (b) a conviction for a sex offence unless the offence is an eligible sex offence or a designated sex‑related offence; (c) a conviction of a class prescribed by the regulations. (3) A regulation made under subsection (2)(c) does not affect a conviction that has already become spent under this Act. (4) Nothing in this Act affects— (a) the enforcement of any process or proceedings relating to any fine or other sum imposed with respect to a spent conviction; or (b) any process or proceedings in respect of a breach of a condition or requirement applicable to a sentence imposed in respect of a spent conviction; or (c) the operation of any disqualification, disability or other prohibition imposed in respect of or on account of a spent conviction; or (d) the imposition or accumulation of demerit points; or (e) the exercise of any other enforcement power or the institution or undertaking of any other processes or proceedings by a justice agency. (5) Nothing in this Act affects a claim (or any proceedings arising from a claim) for compensation (including statutory compensation) for injury, loss or damage caused by an offence. (6) This section applies subject to the operation of section 6. 6—Application of Act (1) This Act applies to convictions for offences against the laws of this State and convictions for offences against any other law. (2) In the case of convictions for offences against the laws of a recognised jurisdiction, the mutual recognition principle applies. (3) In the case of convictions for offences against the laws of any other jurisdiction (including the laws of an overseas jurisdiction), this Act applies with the changes necessary to enable its provisions to apply to those convictions in a way that corresponds as closely as possible to the way in which it applies to convictions for offences against the laws of this jurisdiction. (4) However, if an offence against the laws of another jurisdiction (including the laws of an overseas jurisdiction), other than a recognised jurisdiction, has no correspondence to an offence against a law of this jurisdiction, then the conviction of the person for the offence is immediately spent for the purposes of this Act. (5) This Act applies to convictions for offences whether such convictions occurred before or after the commencement of this Act. 6A—Qualified magistrates (1) For the purposes of this Act, a qualified magistrate is a magistrate in relation to whom a consent is in force under subsection (2) and who has been approved by the Chief Magistrate to act as a qualified magistrate in accordance with subsection (3). (2) A magistrate may, by instrument in writing, consent to acting as a qualified magistrate under this Act. (3) The Chief Magistrate may, by instrument in writing, approve a magistrate in relation to whom a consent is in force under subsection (2) to act as a qualified magistrate under this Act. (4) A qualified magistrate has, in relation to the exercise of a function conferred on a qualified magistrate by this Act, the same protection, privileges and immunities as a magistrate has in relation to proceedings in the Magistrates Court of South Australia. (5) A magistrate who has given consent under subsection (2) may, by instrument in writing, revoke the consent. (6) An approval of a magistrate to act as a qualified magistrate under subsection (3) is revoked if— (a) the qualified magistrate revokes his or her consent in accordance with subsection (5) or ceases to be a magistrate; or (b) the Chief Magistrate determines that the magistrate should not continue to be a qualified magistrate. Part 2—Requirements for a conviction to become spent 7—Determination of qualification period (1) Subject to this Act, the qualification period for the conviction of a person for an offence is— (a) in the case of an eligible juvenile offence, other than where the person was dealt with as an adult—5 consecutive years; or (b) in any other case—10 consecutive years, from the relevant day for the conviction for the offence. (2) If during the qualification period for a conviction (the first conviction) the person is convicted of another offence (the second conviction), the time that has run as part of the qualification period for the first conviction is cancelled and the relevant day for the second conviction becomes a new relevant day for the first conviction (and a conviction for a third offence within the period that then applies will have a corresponding effect on the first and second convictions, and so on for any subsequent conviction or convictions). (3) In addition— (a) if at the end of a period that applies under subsection (1) or (2) the person is a registrable offender under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 who is subject to reporting obligations imposed by Part 3 of that Act, the qualification period is extended so as to expire when or if those reporting obligations cease or are suspended under that Part; and (b) if during the period of extension that applies under paragraph (a) the person is convicted of another offence, the conviction has the same effect on any previous conviction that is subject to the period of extension that a second or subsequent conviction has on a previous conviction or convictions under subsection (2). (4) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3)(b), a conviction for a second or subsequent offence will be disregarded if— (a) the offence is a minor offence (including in a case where the conviction with respect to the minor offence is constituted by a finding under section 3(5)); or (b) the conviction is quashed; or (c) the convicted person is granted a pardon. (5) A period under a preceding subsection may commence before the commencement of this Act and, in such a case, the qualification period will be completed— (a) on the commencement of this Act; or (b) on the day on which the qualification period would have been completed if this Act had been in force continuously since the day of the relevant conviction, whichever is the later. (6) For the purposes of this section— (a) the relevant day for the conviction for an offence is the day on which the person is convicted; and (b) a reference to a conviction for an offence does not extend to a conviction for an offence against a law of another jurisdiction (including the laws of an overseas jurisdiction), other than a recognised jurisdiction, that has no correspondence to an offence against a law of this jurisdiction. 8—Spent conviction—general provision (1) A conviction for an offence, other than a sex offence, is spent on completion of the qualification period for the conviction. (2) Subsection (1) operates subject to section 4(1a). 8A—Spent conviction for eligible sex offence (1) A conviction for an eligible sex offence is spent if, on application by the convicted person in accordance with the regulations, a qualified magistrate makes an order that the conviction is spent. (2) An application for an order under this section in respect of a conviction— (a) may not be made until the completion of the qualification period for the conviction; and (b) may not be made if a qualified magistrate has refused to make an order under this section in respect of the same conviction within the preceding 2 years. (3) An application under this section may not be made in respect of a conviction for an offence against the laws of another jurisdiction. (4) Schedule 2 applies to an application under this section and to proceedings on an application. (5) The making of an order under this section is at the discretion of the qualified magistrate and that discretion will be exercised having regard to— (a) the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offence; and (b) if a victim impact statement was furnished to the sentencing court in connection with the sentencing of the applicant for the offence (and that statement is available to the qualified magistrate)—anything referred to in that statement; and (c) any penalty imposed, and any other order or requirement made or imposed by a court, in relation to the offence; and (d) the length of time since the conviction; and (e) all the circumstances of the applicant, including the circumstances of the applicant at the time of the commission of the offence and at the time of the application and whether the applicant appears to have rehabilitated and to be of good character; and (f) whether the spending of the conviction and the non‑disclosure of the offence to other persons by operation of an order under this section might present a risk to the public (and, if so, the extent of that risk); and (g) whether there is any other public interest served in not making the order; and (h) any other matter considered relevant by the qualified magistrate. 8B—Spent conviction for designated sex‑related offence (1) A conviction for a designated sex‑related offence is spent if, on application in accordance with the regulations, a qualified magistrate makes an order in accordance with subsection (5) that the conviction is spent. (2) The following persons may apply for an order under this section: (a) the convicted person; (b) a person specified in Schedule 2 clause 1A, in the circumstances specified. (3) An application under this section may not be made in respect of a conviction for an offence against the laws of another jurisdiction. (4) Schedule 2 applies to an application under this section and to proceedings on an application. (5) A qualified magistrate must make an order that a conviction for an offence is spent if satisfied that— (a) the offence is a designated sex‑related offence; and (b) the conduct engaged in by the convicted person or constituting the offence would not, at the time the application is considered, constitute an offence under the law of the State. (6) In considering matters in subsection (5)(b) relating to an offence that falls within the ambit of paragraph (c) or (d) of the definition of designated sex‑related offence (or an offence of attempting, or of conspiracy or incitement, to commit such an offence), the qualified magistrate must have regard to— (a) whether any person involved in the conduct that was the subject of the conviction did or did not consent to the conduct; and (b) the ages and respective ages of any persons involved in the conduct that was the subject of the conviction; and (c) any other matter the qualified magistrate reasonably considers relevant in the circumstances. 8C—Spent conviction for prescribed public decency offence (1) A conviction for a prescribed public decency offence is spent if, on application in accordance with the regulations, a qualified magistrate makes an order in accordance with subsection (6) that the conviction is spent. (2) The following persons may apply for an order under this section: (a) the convicted person; (b) a person specified in Schedule 2 clause 1A, in the circumstances specified. (3) An application under this section may not be made in respect of a conviction for an offence against the laws of another jurisdiction. (4) An application for an order under this section may be made irrespective of whether the conviction the subject of the application has been spent under section 8. (5) Schedule 2 applies to an application under this section and to proceedings on an application. (6) A qualified magistrate must make an order that a conviction for an offence is spent if satisfied that— (a) the offence is a prescribed public decency offence; and (b) the convicted person would not have been charged with the offence but for the fact that the conduct engaged in by the person or constituting the offence was suspected of being, or being connected to, homosexual activity; and (c) the conduct engaged in by the convicted person or constituting the offence would not, at the time the application is considered, constitute an offence under the law of the State. (7) Despite the fact that a conviction for a prescribed public decency offence may be spent under section 8, the qualified magistrate may make an order under subsection (6) that the conviction is spent under this section and, accordingly, the order applies for the purposes of Schedule 1 clause a1(1)(c). (8) In considering matters in subsection (6)(c), the qualified magistrate must have regard to the following: (a) whether any person involved in the conduct that was the subject of the conviction did or did not consent to the conduct; (b) the ages and respective ages of any persons involved in the conduct that was the subject of the conviction; (c) any other matter the qualified magistrate reasonably considers relevant in the circumstances. 9—Subsequent conviction after conviction becomes spent (1) A conviction of a person for an offence (the first offence) that is spent is not revived by the subsequent conviction of the person for another offence (the later offence). (2) However, if— (a) the later offence was committed during the qualification period for the first offence; and (b) the later offence is an offence for which a conviction during the qualification period for the first offence would have resulted in the cancellation of the time that had already run as part of the qualification period under section 7(2) or (3)(b), the first offence will cease to be treated as a spent conviction under this Act while the qualification period for the later offence is running. Part 3—Effect of a conviction becoming spent Division 1—General provisions 10—Ability to disregard spent convictions If a conviction of a person is spent— (a) a question about the person's criminal history is taken not to refer to the spent conviction, but to refer only to any of the person's convictions that are not spent; and (b) the person is not required to disclose to any other person for any purpose information concerning the spent conviction; and (c) in the application to the person of an Act, statutory instrument, agreement or arrangement— (i) a reference to a conviction, however expressed, is taken not to refer to the spent conviction; and (ii) a reference to the person's character or fitness, however expressed, is not to be taken as allowing or requiring account to be taken of the spent conviction; and (d) the spent conviction, or the non‑disclosure of the spent conviction, is not a proper ground for— (i) refusing the person any appointment, post, status or privilege; or (ii) revoking any appointment, status or privilege held by the person, or dismissing the person from any post. 11—Unlawful disclosures—public records (1) A person is guilty of an offence if— (a) the person has access to records of convictions kept by or on behalf of a public authority; and (b) the person discloses information about a spent conviction that the person has gained on account of that access; and (c) the person knew, or ought reasonably have known, at the time of the disclosure, that the information was about a spent conviction. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) It is a defence to a charge for an offence against subsection (1) to prove— (a) that the disclosure was made with the consent of the person whose conviction is spent; or (b) that— (i) the person who made the disclosure believed in good faith that the disclosure was within the ambit of an exclusion from the operation of this section under Schedule 1; and (ii) the disclosure occurred in circumstances where steps had been taken to avoid any breach of subsection (1) by putting in place any systems or safeguards that might reasonably be expected to be provided. 12—Unlawful disclosures—business activities (1) A person is guilty of an offence if— (a) the person, in the course of carrying on a business that includes or involves the provision of information about convictions for offences, discloses information about a spent conviction; and (b) the person knew, or ought reasonably have known, at the time of the disclosure, that the information was about a spent conviction. Maximum penalty: $10 000. (2) It is a defence to a charge for an offence against subsection (1) to prove— (a) that the disclosure forms part of the ongoing disclosure of the information in materials or in a manner that cannot be reasonably altered to remove information about the spent conviction; and (b) that the disclosure of the information commenced before the conviction became a spent conviction. Division 2—Exclusions 13—Exclusions (1) Schedule 1 sets out exclusions from the operation of Division 1. 13A—Exclusions may not apply (1) A person in relation to whom a conviction for an offence is spent may apply to a qualified magistrate for an order that 1 or more of clauses 7 and 8 of Schedule 1 do not apply in relation to the offence. (2) An application under this section must be made in accordance with the regulations. (3) An application for an order under this section in relation to an offence may not be made if a qualified magistrate has refused to make an order under this section in relation to the same offence within the preceding 2 years. (4) An application under this section may not be made in respect of a conviction for an offence against the laws of another jurisdiction. (5) Schedule 2 applies to an application under this section and to proceedings on an application. (6) The making of an order under this section is at the discretion of the qualified magistrate and that discretion will be exercised having regard to— (a) the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offence; and (c) in the case of an application that relates to clause 7 of Schedule 1—if the offence involved a vulnerable person or persons; and (d) if a victim impact statement was furnished to the sentencing court in connection with the sentencing of the applicant for the offence (and that statement is available to the qualified magistrate)—anything referred to in that statement; and (e) any penalty imposed, and any other order or requirement made or imposed by a court, in relation to the offence; and (f) all the circumstances of the applicant, including the circumstances of the applicant at the time of the commission of the offence and at the time of the application and whether the applicant appears to have rehabilitated and to be of good character; and (g) whether the removal of the exclusion by operation of an order under this section might present a risk to children, vulnerable persons or the public more generally (and, if so, the extent of that risk); and (h) whether there is any public interest served in not making the order; and (i) any other matter considered relevant by the qualified magistrate. (7) An order under this section will have effect according to its terms. (8) An order under this section does not limit the operation of clause 9A of Schedule 1 in any respect. Part 4—Miscellaneous 14—Improperly obtaining information about spent convictions A person must not fraudulently or dishonestly obtain information about a spent conviction from records of convictions kept by or on behalf of a public authority. Maximum penalty: $10 000. 15—Prerogative of mercy not affected This Act does not affect the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy. 16—Act does not authorise destruction of records This Act does not authorise or require the destruction by or on behalf of a public authority of a record relating to a spent conviction, a quashed conviction or a pardon. 17—Regulations (1) The Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act. (2) The regulations may— (a) be of general or limited application; (b) vary according to the persons, times, places or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply. Schedule 1—Exclusions a1—Application of exclusions (1) An exclusion set out in a clause of this Schedule— (a) does not apply in relation to an offence if the conviction has been quashed and the person has been granted a pardon for the offence, except— (i) in relation to the operation of clause 9A; or (ii) as may be prescribed by the regulations; (b) does not apply in relation to a designated sex‑related offence in relation to which an order has been made under section 8B, except as may be prescribed by the regulations; (c) does not apply in relation to a prescribed public decency offence in relation to which an order has been made under section 8C, except as may be prescribed by the regulations. (2) An exclusion under clause 7 or 8 does not apply in relation to an offence committed by a particular person if a qualified magistrate has made an order to that effect under section 13A. (4) The regulations may provide that an exclusion set out in a clause of this Schedule does not apply in relation to a finding (as constituting a conviction for the purposes of this Act) that is taken to be immediately spent under section 4(1a). 1—Justice agencies (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply to the performance of a function or the exercise of a power by— (a) a justice agency; or (b) a person who is acting as a member, officer, employee, agent or contractor of a justice agency. (2) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply if the disclosure is made, or to be made, to or is made by— (a) a justice agency; or (b) a person who is acting as a member, officer, employee, agent or contractor of a justice agency. (3) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply if a disclosure is made, or to be made, to or is made by a justice agency for the purposes of assessing— (a) prospective employees or prospective members of the agency; or (b) persons proposed to be engaged as consultants to, or to perform services for, the agency or a member of the agency. 2—Commonwealth agencies Part 3 Division 1 does not apply if a disclosure is made, or to be made, to or is made by— (a) an intelligence or security agency, for the purpose of assessing— (i) prospective employees or prospective members of the agency; or (ii) persons proposed to be engaged as consultants to, or to perform services for, the agency or a member of the agency; or (b) a Commonwealth authority, for the purpose of assessing appointees or prospective appointees to a designated Commonwealth position; or (c) a person who makes a decision under the Migration Act 1958 of the Commonwealth, the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 of the Commonwealth or the Immigration Act 1980 of the Territory of Norfolk Island, for the purpose of making that decision; or (d) AUSTRAC, for the purpose of assessing— (i) prospective members of the staff of AUSTRAC; or (ii) persons proposed to be engaged as consultants under subsection 225(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 of the Commonwealth; or (iii) persons whose services are proposed to be made available to AUSTRAC under subsection 225(3) of that Act; or (e) a person or body, for the purpose of instituting or conducting proceedings for any offence. 3—Designated judicial authorities (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in connection with proceedings before, or the making of any decision by, a designated judicial authority (including any proceedings associated with jury selection or service or otherwise with respect to the operation of a jury, a decision concerning sentencing, or a decision concerning the granting of bail). (2) However, a designated judicial authority before which evidence of a spent conviction is admitted must take such steps as are, in the opinion of the designated judicial entity, appropriate to avoid or minimise publication of the evidence. 4—Parole Board Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in connection with proceedings before, or the making of any decision by, the Parole Board. 5—Judicial and associated officers Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to an assessment of the suitability of a person appointed, or being considered for appointment— (a) as a judge, magistrate or justice of the peace; or (b) as a member of a court or tribunal prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph. 6—Care of children (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to— (a) any administrative, judicial or other inquiry into, or assessment of, the fitness of a person to have the guardianship or custody of a child, or access to a child; or (b) any assessment of the fitness of a person undertaking, or seeking to undertake, (including without any fee or reward) work or any other activity that directly involves— (i) the care, control, supervision or instruction of children; or (ii) otherwise working in close proximity with children on a regular basis; or (c) any assessment of the fitness of a person undertaking, or seeking to undertake, (including without any fee or reward) work or any other activity that directly involves acting as an advocate for children in legal proceedings; or (d) without limiting a preceding paragraph, a disclosure required or permitted by or under another law (including a law of another jurisdiction (including a law of an overseas jurisdiction)) in relation to a person who works, or who is seeking to work, with children; or (e) any— (i) disciplinary or fitness inquiry or investigation; or (ii) enforcement action or proceedings (including for the suspension or cancellation of a registration, licence, accreditation or other authorisation or authority), associated with a person within a preceding paragraph. (2) This clause extends to cases involving circumstances arising outside this jurisdiction. 7—Care of vulnerable people (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to— (a) any administrative, judicial or other inquiry into, or assessment of, the fitness of a person to have the guardianship of an aged person or persons with a disability (including an intellectual disability), illness or impairment; or (b) any assessment of the fitness of a person undertaking, or seeking to undertake, (including without any fee or reward) work or any other activity that directly involves— (i) the care of aged persons or persons with a disability (including an intellectual disability), illness or impairment in legal proceedings; or (ii) otherwise working in close proximity with aged persons or persons with a disability (including an intellectual disability), illness or impairment; or (c) any assessment of the fitness of a person undertaking, or seeking to undertake, (including without any fee or reward) work or any other activity that directly involves acting as an advocate for aged persons or persons with a disability (including an intellectual disability), illness or impairment in legal proceedings; or (d) any— (i) disciplinary or fitness inquiry or investigation; or (ii) enforcement action or proceedings (including for the suspension or cancellation of a registration, licence, accreditation or other authorisation or authority), associated with a person within a preceding paragraph. (2) This clause extends to cases involving circumstances arising outside this jurisdiction. 8—Activities associated with a character test (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to— (a) any assessment of whether a person who, pursuant to statute, has obtained, or is seeking, registration or enrolment, or a licence, accreditation or other authorisation or authority, in or in relation to an occupation, profession, position or activity, is a fit and proper person or a person of good character; or (b) any— (i) disciplinary or fitness inquiry or investigation; or (ii) enforcement action or proceedings (including for the suspension or cancellation of a registration, licence, accreditation or other authorisation or authority), associated with a person within the preceding paragraph. (2) This clause extends to cases involving circumstances arising outside this jurisdiction. 9—Firefighting, police and correctional services (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to a disclosure to an authority concerned with the prevention or fighting of fires about a conviction that relates to the setting or lighting of a fire. (2) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to a person employed, or seeking employment, as a police officer. (3) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to a person employed in, or seeking employment in, an office or position involving duties connected with the punishment, probation or paroling of offenders. 9A—Screening units (1) Part 3 Division 1 does not apply— (a) to the performance of a function or the exercise of a power by a prescribed screening unit in prescribed circumstances; or (b) in relation to an entity acting in prescribed circumstances on the basis of information furnished by a prescribed screening unit. (2) However, if a prescribed screening unit is in possession of information relating to— (a) a conviction that has been quashed, or in relation to which the person has been granted a pardon for the offence; or (b) a conviction that is constituted by a finding that is to be treated as a conviction under section 3(5) and that is taken to be spent under section 4(1a); or (c) a conviction for an offence in relation to which an order has been made under section 13A, the exclusion constituted under subclause (1) will not apply unless the prescribed screening unit is satisfied that there are good reasons for the exclusion to have effect under this Act. (3) In acting under subclause (2)— (a) the prescribed screening unit must, when considering whether good reasons exist for the purposes of that subclause, give strong weight to the fact that the conviction or circumstances relate to— (i) a conviction that no longer applies in relation to the person (in the case of a quashed conviction or pardon); or (ii) circumstances that did not lead to an actual conviction (in the case of circumstances to which section 3(5) applies); or (iii) circumstances where a qualified magistrate has been willing to make an order under section 13A, as the case may be; and (b) if the prescribed screening unit decides that there are good reasons for the exclusion to have effect, the prescribed screening unit must provide reasons in accordance with the regulations. (4) In this clause— prescribed screening unit means an entity (including an entity constituted under, or for the purposes of, a law of another jurisdiction) prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition. 10—Official records Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to a disclosure or a disclosure of information where the disclosure is made, in the course of official duties, by a person who has custody of or access to an official record. 11—Archives and libraries Part 3 Division 1 does not apply to an archive or library (or a person acting in the performance of a function of an archive or library) in accordance with the normal procedures of the archive or library. 12—Reports and authorised publications Part 3 Division 1 does not apply in relation to a disclosure— (a) made in the ordinary course of the preparation, publication or use of a textbook, report, article or collection of material published for historical, educational, scientific or professional purposes, or in the ordinary course of any lecture, class or discussion given or held for any such purpose; or (b) made in connection with the preparation, publication or use of a genuine series of law reports on proceedings in courts or tribunals; or (c) made in connection with the preparation, publication or use of the official records of a court or tribunal. 13—Non-identifying information Part 3 Division 1 does not apply if a disclosure does not contain any information that would tend to identify the convicted person. 14—Prescribed exclusions The regulations may prescribe other exclusions from the operation of section 10, 11 or 12. Schedule 2—Provisions relating to proceedings before a qualified magistrate 1—Interpretation In this Schedule— exemption order means an order under section 13A; prescribed order means an exemption order or a spent convictions order; spent conviction order means an order under section 8A, 8B or 8C. 1A—Application for a spent conviction order—designated sex‑related offences and prescribed public decency offences (1) The following persons, in addition to a convicted person, may apply for a spent conviction order to be made in respect of a conviction for a designated sex‑related offence or a prescribed public decency offence: (a) if the convicted person is a person with a mental incapacity— (i) the convicted person's spouse or domestic partner; or (ii) an adult who is a sibling or child of the convicted person; or (iii) a person appointed as a guardian of the convicted person; or (iv) any other person a qualified magistrate considers to be an appropriate person to make an application in the circumstances of the particular case; (b) if the convicted person is deceased— (i) the person who was the convicted person's spouse or domestic partner at the time of death; or (ii) an adult who is a sibling or child of the convicted person; or (iii) the executor or administrator of the convicted person's estate; or (iv) any other person a qualified magistrate considers to be an appropriate person to make an application in the circumstances of the particular case. (2) For the purposes of this section, a person is, on a certain date, the domestic partner of another if— (a) the person is, on that date, in a registered relationship with the other; or (b) the person is, on that date, living with the other in a close personal relationship. (3) In this section— close personal relationship means the relationship between 2 adult persons (whether or not related by family and irrespective of their sex or gender identity) who live together as a couple on a genuine domestic basis, but does not include a relationship where 1 of the persons provides the other with domestic support or personal care (or both) for fee or reward, or on behalf of some other person or an organisation of whatever kind; mental incapacity means the inability of a person to look after the person's own health, safety or welfare or to manage the person's own affairs, as a result of— (a) any damage to, or any illness, disorder, imperfect or delayed development, impairment or deterioration of, the brain or mind; or (b) any physical illness or condition that renders the person unable to communicate the person's intentions or wishes in any manner whatsoever; registered relationship means a relationship that is registered under the Relationships Register Act 2016, and includes a corresponding law registered relationship under that Act. 2—Extent of application (1) An application for an exemption order may relate to more than 1 relevant clause under Schedule 1 and be made in relation to more than 1 offence. (2) An application for a spent conviction order may be made in relation to more than 1 conviction. (3) An application for an exemption order and an application for a spent conviction order made by the same person may be heard jointly. 3—Notice of application (1) The Attorney‑General and the Commissioner of Police— (a) must each be served with a copy of an application for a prescribed order; and (b) may each intervene in the proceedings relating to an application for a prescribed order and, in so doing, be represented at a hearing of the application. (2) In addition, in the case of an application for an exemption order that relates to clause 7 of Schedule 1, the designated Minister— (a) must be served with a copy of the application; and (b) may intervene in the proceedings relating to the application and, in so doing, be represented at a hearing of the application. (3) In this clause— designated Minister means— (b) in relation to an application for an exemption order that relates to clause 7 of Schedule 1—the Minister for Disabilities; Minister for Children's Protection means the Minister who has portfolio responsibility for the office within the public service that is primarily concerned with undertaking working with children checks under the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016; Minister for Disabilities means the Minister who has portfolio responsibility for matters associated with the interests of persons with a disability. 4—Conduct of proceedings (1) An application for a prescribed order must be heard in private unless the applicant consents to the hearing being in public or the qualified magistrate considers that, in the circumstances of the case, the hearing should be in public. (2) If a hearing is held in private, the qualified magistrate may give directions as to who may be present. (3) If a hearing is held in public, the qualified magistrate may order that there must not be published by any means any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the convicted person. 5—Principles governing hearings (1) In any proceedings for a prescribed order— (a) the qualified magistrate is not bound by the rules of evidence but may inform himself or herself as the qualified magistrate thinks fit; and (b) the qualified magistrate must act according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case without regard to technicalities and legal forms. (2) Without limiting subclause (1) and despite any other clause, but subject to subclause (3), a qualified magistrate may, if he or she thinks it appropriate, conduct all or part of any proceedings entirely on the basis of documents without the applicant or any representative attending or participating in a hearing. (3) Subclause (2) does not apply if the Attorney‑General or another Minister, or the Commissioner of Police, has intervened in the proceedings. (4) A qualified magistrate may, if satisfied that an application for a prescribed order is vexatious, misconceived or lacking in substance, dismiss the application without holding a hearing. Legislative history Notes • Please note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete. • Earlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history. • For further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au. Principal Act and amendments New entries appear in bold. Year No Title Assent Commencement 2009 72 Spent Convictions Act 2009 10.12.2009 13.2.2011 (Gazette 10.2.2011 p459) 2013 2 Spent Convictions (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2013 14.2.2013 5.5.2013 (Gazette 2.5.2013 p1391) 2013 11 Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2013 18.4.2013 Pt 10 (s 23)—5.5.2013 immediately after 2/2013 (Gazette 2.5.2013 p1391) 2013 87 Statutes Amendment (Assessment of Relevant History) Act 2013 5.12.2013 Pt 4 (ss 10—12)—16.2.2014 (Gazette 13.2.2014 p887) 2013 88 Spent Convictions (Decriminalised Offences) Amendment Act 2013 5.12.2013 22.12.2013 (Gazette 19.12.2013 p4927) 2017 35 Statutes Amendment (National Policing Information Systems and Services) Act 2017 22.8.2017 Pt 5 (s 6)—22.8.2017 2017 53 Statutes Amendment (Sentencing) Act 2017 28.11.2017 Pt 19 (s 30)—30.4.2018 (Gazette 6.2.2018 p612) 2017 64 Children's Protection Law Reform (Transitional Arrangements and Related Amendments) Act 2017 12.12.2017 Pt 18 (ss 126 to 128)—1.7.2019 (Gazette 17.1.2019 p93) 2017 70 Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio No 3) Act 2017 12.12.2017 Pt 12 (ss 28 to 30)—9.12.2019 (Gazette 31.10.2019 p3618) 2019 21 Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) (No 2) Act 2019 19.9.2019 Pt 14 (ss 21 & 22)—9.12.2019 immediately after Pt 12 of 70/2017: s 2(6) 2020 42 Spent Convictions (Decriminalised Offences) Amendment Act 2020 10.12.2020 12.4.2021 (Gazette 8.4.2021 p1131) 2024 32 Spent Convictions (Part 8A Findings) Amendment Act 2024 19.9.2024 1.2.2025 (Gazette 5.12.2024 p4545) 2025 9 Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio and Other Justice Measures) Act 2025 12.3.2025 Pt 10 (s 19)—12.3.2025: s 2(1) Provisions amended New entries appear in bold. Entries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics. Provision How varied Commencement Long title amended by 42/2020 s 4 12.4.2021 Pt 1

s 2 omitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 5.5.2013 s 3

s 3(1)

designated sex-related offence inserted by 88/2013 s 4(1) 22.12.2013

amended by 42/2020 s 5(1) 12.4.2021 eligible sex offence inserted by 2/2013 s 4(1) 5.5.2013

substituted by 88/2013 s 4(2) 22.12.2013

substituted by 42/2020 s 5(2) 12.4.2021 justice agency (e) deleted by 35/2017 s 6 22.8.2017

amended by 9/2025 s 19 12.3.2025 prescribed public decency offence inserted by 42/2020 s 5(3) 12.4.2021 qualified magistrate inserted by 2/2013 s 4(2) 5.5.2013 s 3(3) amended by 2/2013 s 4(3) 5.5.2013

amended by 53/2017 s 30 30.4.2018

amended by 32/2024 s 3(1) 1.2.2025 s 3(5) amended by 32/2024 s 3(2) 1.2.2025 s 3(8) inserted by 88/2013 s 4(3) 22.12.2013 s 4

s 4(1a) inserted by 2/2013 s 5 5.5.2013

amended by 32/2024 s 4 1.2.2025 s 5

s 5(1) amended by 2/2013 s 6(1) 5.5.2013

amended by 88/2013 s 5 22.12.2013

amended by 42/2020 s 6(1) 12.4.2021 s 5(2) amended by 2/2013 s 6(2) 5.5.2013

amended by 42/2020 s 6(2) 12.4.2021 s 6A inserted by 2/2013 s 7 5.5.2013 Pt 2

s 7

s 7(1) amended by 2/2013 s 8 5.5.2013 s 8

s 8(1) s 8 amended and redesignated as s 8(1) by 2/2013 s 9(1), (2) 5.5.2013 s 8(2) inserted by 2/2013 s 9(2) 5.5.2013 s 8A inserted by 2/2013 s 10 5.5.2013 s 8A(5) amended by 88/2013 s 6(1) 22.12.2013

amended by 42/2020 s 7(1) 12.4.2021 s 8A(6) inserted by 88/2013 s 6(2) 22.12.2013

deleted by 42/2020 s 7(2) 12.4.2021 ss 8B and 8C inserted by 42/2020 s 8 12.4.2021 Pt 3

s 13

s 13(2) amended by 2/2013 s 11(1) 5.5.2013

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13(2a) inserted by 87/2013 s 10(1) 16.2.2014

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13(3) substituted by 2/2013 s 11(2) 5.5.2013

amended by 11/2013 s 23(1) 5.5.2013

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13(3a) inserted by 11/2013 s 23(2) 5.5.2013

amended by 87/2013 s 10(2) 16.2.2014

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13(4) inserted by 2/2013 s 11(2) 5.5.2013

amended by 64/2017 s 126 1.7.2019

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13(5) inserted by 88/2013 s 7 22.12.2013

deleted by 70/2017 s 28 9.12.2019 s 13A inserted by 2/2013 s 12 5.5.2013 s 13A(1) amended by 64/2017 s 127(1) 1.7.2019 s 13A(1a) inserted by 70/2017 s 29(1) 9.12.2019

deleted by 21/2019 s 21(1) 9.12.2019 s 13A(6) (b) deleted by 64/2017 s 127(2) 1.7.2019

amended by 70/2017 s 29(2) 9.12.2019

amended by 21/2019 s 21(2) 9.12.2019 s 13A(6a) inserted by 70/2017 s 29(3) 9.12.2019

deleted by 21/2019 s 21(3) 9.12.2019 s 13A(8) inserted by 87/2013 s 11 16.2.2014 s 13A(9) inserted by 70/2017 s 29(4) 9.12.2019

deleted by 21/2019 s 21(4) 9.12.2019 Sch 1

cl a1 inserted by 70/2017 s 30 9.12.2019 cl a1(1) substituted by 21/2019 s 22(1) 9.12.2019

amended by 42/2020 s 9(1), (2) 12.4.2021 cl a1(2) amended by 21/2019 s 22(2), (3) 9.12.2019 cl a1(3) deleted by 21/2019 s 22(4) 9.12.2019 cl 9A inserted by 87/2013 s 12 16.2.2014 Sch 2 inserted by 2/2013 s 13 5.5.2013 cl 1

spent conviction order amended by 42/2020 s 10(1) 12.4.2021 cl 1A inserted by 42/2020 s 10(2) 12.4.2021 cl 3

cl 3(2) amended by 64/2017 s 128(1) 1.7.2019 cl 3(3)

designated Minister (a) deleted by 64/2017 s 128(2) 1.7.2019 Minister for Children's Protection amended by 64/2017 s 128(3) 1.7.2019 cl 4

cl 4(3) amended by 42/2020 s 10(3) 12.4.2021 Transitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments Spent Convictions (Part 8A Findings) Amendment Act 2024, Sch 1—Transitional provision 1—Findings made before commencement Section 3(3)(d) and (5)(c) and section 4(1a)(b) of the Spent Convictions Act 2009 as in force after the commencement of this Act apply in relation to a finding by a court whether the finding was made before or after the commencement of this Act. Historical versions 5.5.2013

22.12.2013

16.2.2014

22.8.2017

30.4.2018

1.7.2019

9.12.2019

12.4.2021

1.2.2025

Source text: opening excerpt

Sourced from South Australian Legislation (legislation.sa.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 Spent Convictions Act 2009

This section gives a practical, source‑grounded compliance roadmap for (a) individuals seeking spent status, (b) employers and licensing bodies, (c) public authorities and screening units, and (d) commercial background‑check businesses. Each step maps to the relevant statutory provisions.

A. For individuals (convicted persons)

Determine eligibility. Check whether the conviction falls within s 5(1) categories: eligible adult offence, eligible juvenile offence, designated sex‑related offence, or prescribed public decency offence (s 5). Consult the definitions in s 3 to confirm whether a conviction is an eligible adult/juvenile offence (sentence thresholds) or within the defined sex‑related categories.
Calculate the qualification period. Identify the "relevant day" (the day of conviction) and compute either 5 years (eligible juvenile, where not dealt with as adult) or 10 years (other cases) from that day (s 7(1), s 7(6)(a)). Account for prior or subsequent convictions: under s 7(2) a later conviction during the qualification period restarts the relevant day for earlier convictions. Exclude minor offences per s 7(4)(a).
Address registrable‑offender extensions. If the person is a registrable offender under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act 2006 and subject to reporting, the qualification period is extended until reporting obligations cease (s 7(3)(a)). Verify registry status and reporting obligations before assuming the waiting period has expired.
Applications for sex‑related or public‑decency convictions. If the conviction is an eligible sex offence, apply to a qualified magistrate "in accordance with the regulations" after the qualification period (s 8A(1)-(2)). For designated sex‑related or prescribed public decency offences, applications for spent orders are also made to a qualified magistrate under ss 8B and 8C; Schedule 2 procedures apply. Prepare materials addressing factors the magistrate must consider (s 8A(5) lists factors such as seriousness, rehabilitation, victim impact statements, penalty imposed and public risk). Note the two‑year re‑application bar after a refusal (s 8A(2), s 13A(3)).
Use Schedule 2 procedures. Follow Sch 2 for notice, privacy of hearings (Sch 2 cl 4), right of Attorney‑General and Commissioner of Police to be served and intervene (Sch 2 cl 3), and the lower formal evidentiary threshold (Sch 2 cl 5). If incapacitated or deceased, identify appropriate persons who may apply under Sch 2 cl 1A.
Keep records and evidence. Since the Act does not authorise destruction of records (s 16), maintain complete records of the conviction, sentencing, subsequent criminal history and any rehabilitation evidence to support an application.

B. For employers, licensing bodies and regulators

Update application forms and screening questions. Remove express questions that require disclosure of spent convictions in contexts where Schedule 1 does not preserve the right to consider them. Section 10 prohibits requiring disclosure "for any purpose" (s 10(b)), but Schedule 1 lists many exceptions. Map each position or licence to the relevant Schedule 1 clauses (Sch 1 cl 6 child‑related, cl 7 vulnerable‑person care, cl 8 fit-and‑proper character tests, etc.) to determine whether spent convictions can be asked about or relied upon.
Review statutory obligations. Where licensing statutes or regulatory rules require consideration of criminal records (Schedule 1 cl 8), continue to collect and assess convictions as required. Document the statutory basis for any reliance to demonstrate compliance with Schedule 1.
Implement data‑access controls. Because s 11 criminalises disclosure from public records by persons with access, ensure that staff with access to conviction records receive training about what constitutes a "spent" conviction and the legal consequences for improper disclosure (s 11(1)). Provide clear procedural guidelines and audit trails to evidence "systems or safeguards" relied upon under s 11(2)(b).
Consider exclusions and reasonable belief. If an organisation believes a disclosure is within a Schedule 1 exclusion, document the legal basis and the safeguards relied upon, because s 11(2)(b) requires proof of a good‑faith belief plus steps to avoid breach. Keep contemporaneous records of the decision process.

C. For public authorities and screening units

Map functions to Schedule 1. Identify where your functions fall within Schedule 1 exclusions (for example, justice agency functions, court or tribunal proceedings, Parole Board, or screening functions). Sch 1 cl 9A imposes special duties on prescribed screening units, including giving strong weight to spent/quashed/pardoned matters and explaining reasons if the exclusion is nonetheless applied.
Provide reasons and regulatory compliance. If a prescribed screening unit decides an exclusion should apply to a spent conviction as permitted by cl 9A(2), it must provide reasons consistent with the regulations (Sch 1 cl 9A(3)(b)). Draft templates and decision records to ensure regulatory compliance; regulators must be ready to justify "good reasons" where the unit forces the exclusion to operate.
Maintain records and avoid destruction. Section 16 prevents authorised destruction. Implement retention policies consistent with archival and privacy law obligations, and ensure that any release of information is authorised under Schedule 1.

D. For commercial background‑check providers and information businesses

Audit data and automated disclosures. Section 12 makes it an offence for a business to disclose information about a spent conviction unless narrowly covered by s 12(2). Audit datasets and automated report templates to exclude spent convictions unless a statutory exclusion applies or the narrow business defence applies.
Demonstrate inability to alter materials only when true. The business defence in s 12(2) requires that the disclosure cannot reasonably be altered and that the disclosure commenced before the conviction became spent. Do not rely on the defence routinely; document why alteration is impracticable if asserting it. Consider technological solutions and data‑segregation to allow selective redaction when spent status occurs.
Update contracts and indemnities. Where products are sold to employers or regulators, clarify the handling of spent convictions in contracts to allocate risk, and ensure purchasers understand the statutory exclusions that may permit the purchaser to request a broader disclosure.

E. For magistrates, the Attorney‑General and police

Qualified magistrate procedures. Magistrates who wish to act must consent in writing and be approved by the Chief Magistrate (s 6A(2)-(3)). They should be familiar with Schedule 2 procedures for private hearings, thresholds, and the statutory factors set out in ss 8A and 13A.
Intervention and public interest. The Attorney‑General and Commissioner of Police must be served with prescribed‑order applications and may intervene (Sch 2 cl 3). Prepare to consider public interest and prosecution concerns when deciding to intervene.

F. Cross‑cutting compliance measures

Develop an eligibility assessment flowchart. Create a checklist that records: (a) whether the conviction type is within s 5 and s 3 definitions; (b) the date of conviction (relevant day); (c) the applicable qualification period and whether it has been restarted under s 7(2); (d) registrable‑offender status (s 7(3)); (e) whether the conviction was quashed or pardoned (s 4); (f) whether the conviction is the subject of an order under ss 8A-8C or s 13A; (g) whether Schedule 1 applies to the specific purpose or process.
Train staff and maintain audit logs. Given the "ought reasonably have known" standard in ss 11-12, training and documentation of systems and safeguards are critical. Maintain audit logs for access to conviction records, redaction decisions, and automated report generation.
Seek legal advice before disclosing. Where there is any doubt about the applicability of Schedule 1 exclusions or the legality of a disclosure, obtain legal advice and, if practical, consent from the person concerned (s 11(2)(a) defence). Where a prescribed screening unit is involved and a decision is to rely on an exclusion despite spent status, prepare a reasoned record as required by Sch 1 cl 9A.
Keep an eye on corresponding laws and regulations. Because mutual recognition depends on the regulations declaring corresponding laws (s 17), compliance regimes must be updated when the executive declares a corresponding law or amends Schedule 1 by regulation (Sch 1 cl 14). Subscribe to legislative updates and review regulatory instruments periodically.
Use privacy‑by‑design controls. Where possible, implement systems that can filter or tag records by spent status so that reports can be tailored to the statutory exception being relied upon. This mitigates risk under s 11 and s 12 and supports the "systems or safeguards" defence in s 11(2)(b).
Procedural checklist for applicants to a qualified magistrate. Applicants should assemble: conviction and sentence records; evidence of rehabilitation (employment, education, references); victim impact statements if relevant (the magistrate may consider them, s 8A(5)(b)); submissions addressing public risk; and, where appropriate, evidence that the conduct would not now constitute an offence (s 8B(5)(b), s 8C(6)(c)).

Applying the Act requires mapping the precise factual context to the statutory exclusions and proceeding with documented systems and legal advice where ambiguity exists. Compliance is a mix of legal analysis (eligibility, exclusion mapping), administrative controls (access restrictions, redactions, recordkeeping), and procedural practice (applications to qualified magistrates, responses to Attorney‑General/Police interventions).

Spent Convictions Act 2009

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Spent Convictions Act 2009

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Spent Convictions Act 2009

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply