A criminal record can affect many aspects of a person's life, often long after the sentence has been served. Common areas where a criminal record may have an impact include:
- Employment – Many employers conduct criminal background checks as part of the hiring process. A criminal record may limit career opportunities, particularly in regulated industries such as finance, education, security, and healthcare.
- Travel and Immigration – Visa applications to countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and others often require police clearance certificates. A criminal record can complicate or prevent successful visa applications.
- Professional Licensing – Certain professional registrations and licences require a clean criminal record, including those regulated by bodies such as the PSIRA, SACE, NCR, and various industry-specific authorities.
- Business Opportunities – Tenders, contracts, and business licences (including liquor licences) may require disclosure of criminal history.
- Personal Wellbeing – Beyond practical consequences, carrying a criminal record can have a significant emotional and psychological impact, particularly when the conviction occurred many years ago.
Successful expungement removes these barriers and provides an individual with a genuine fresh start, free from the ongoing consequences of a past conviction.
