Background screening
Reference Check
A structured reference from the people a candidate nominates, covering capability, reliability and how they worked with others. Choose a fast online reference, or a verbal interview where the answers need unpacking.
- From $19.90 incl. GST
- 1–4 days depending on option
- The nominated referee answered by
- Online or verbal two options
What we offer
Product information
The same questions for every candidate, so you are comparing like with like. Ad-hoc phone calls produce answers that cannot be set beside each other.
What it is
- A structured reference completed by a referee the candidate nominates, covering their capability in the role and how they worked.
- Available two ways — an online reference the referee completes themselves, or a verbal interview conducted by a CheckPro consultant.
- The same question set for every candidate, so responses are comparable across a shortlist.
- Questions can be tailored to the role where you need something specific.
What it doesn't cover
- An objective record — a reference is one person’s account, and it is reported as such
- The facts of employment — dates and position sit with the Employment History Check
- A reference from anyone the candidate has not nominated
Referees are nominated by the candidate. That is a limit worth holding in mind when reading any reference.
A reference is an opinion. Confirming the dates and position is a separate check. Add an Employment History Check
How it works
Easy Ordering and Fast results
CheckPro handles the whole process for you end to end and communicates directly with the candidate. You get notified when the result is ready.
Select Check
Select the Reference Check and add it to a package or run it standalone.
The order is automatically emailed to the candidate.
Candidate Form
The candidate completes the application online and provides their consent, personal information and ID documents.
Reference Completed
The referee the candidate nominated completes the structured reference. Responses are checked for completeness, and the referee's identity and relationship to the candidate are confirmed before the report is issued.
Report Delivered
Results are consolidated and securely sent to your portal for your review. You will get an instant notification to keep you in the loop.
Choose how the reference is gathered
Streamlined Reference Check
From$19.90incl. GST
Estimated delivery 1–2 business days
- The referee completes the structured reference online, in their own time
- The standard question set, or your own questions
- Referee identity and relationship to the candidate confirmed
Verbal Reference Check
From$46.90incl. GST
Estimated delivery 2–4 business days
- A CheckPro consultant interviews the referee by phone
- Follow-up questions where an answer needs unpacking
- Everything in the streamlined option, plus a written summary of the conversation
All prices include GST. Delivery times are estimated business days based on typical cases; they depend on third-party record holders and are a guide, not a guarantee.
Explore other checks
Employment History
Confirm where a candidate has worked, in what role, and for how long.
Learn moreEducation Qualification
Confirm a qualification directly with the institution that awarded it.
Learn moreProfessional Registration & Licence
Confirm a professional licence, registration or membership with the issuing body.
Learn moreFrequently asked questions
A Reference Check asks a nominated referee for their assessment of how the candidate worked. An Employment History Check confirms the facts — that the employment happened, the dates, and the position held — with the employer’s payroll or HR department. One is an opinion, the other is a record.
The streamlined option suits volume hiring and early shortlisting — it is faster and cheaper, and the referee answers in their own time. The verbal option suits senior, regulated or trust-sensitive roles, where the value is in the follow-up question a form cannot ask. Many employers use the streamlined reference by default and the verbal one for final candidates.
Yes, on both options. The standard question set covers capability, reliability and working with others, and you can add questions specific to the role. Keeping the core set consistent is what makes answers comparable between candidates.
The referee’s identity and their stated relationship to the candidate are checked before the report is issued. A reference that cannot be attributed to a real person in a real relationship is not worth reading.
We follow up, and if there is still no response we tell you rather than reporting a gap as a completed reference. You can then ask the candidate for an alternative referee.
Two is common, and each is a separate reference at the price of the option you choose. More than two rarely changes a decision, since referees are nominated by the candidate and tend to be consistent with each other.