Referee checks in Australia
Online referee checks for Australian employers
Run referee checks online instead of by phone. Structured questions, an audit trail and pricing in Australian dollars. First 4 reference checks free. No card, no sales call.
- First 4 checks free
- No card needed
- Most reports back overnight
What is a referee check?
A referee check, also called a reference check, is when an employer contacts the people a candidate has nominated as referees to ask about the candidate's work history, skills and conduct. In Australia the term referee check is the common name for the process, and the referee is the person giving the reference.
Doing referee checks well in Australia
A few habits make referee checks fairer, faster and easier to defend. This is general information, not legal advice.
Tell the candidate, and get their agreement
Let candidates know you will contact their referees and ask for their agreement first. HiveRef timestamps each step, so you can show what happened and when.
Ask for what you need, and only that
Keep questions tied to the role. HiveRef scans question wording before a check goes out and flags phrasing that could be discriminatory or unlawful.
Handle the answers with care
Referee answers can include personal information. HiveRef reflects the Australian Privacy Principles where Australian law applies, flags sensitive-category disclosures, and gives report links that expire.
Ask every referee the same questions
Consistent questions let you compare candidates fairly. Structured online forms make that the default rather than something you have to remember.
Keep a record
If a hire is questioned later, notes in an inbox are weak evidence. An audit trail of who asked what, and what each referee said, is much stronger.
How an online referee check works in HiveRef
- Step 1
Enter the candidate and role
Choose your questions or let HiveRef draft them from the job description. Decide whether you or the candidate adds the referees.
- Step 2
Referees answer on their phone
Each referee gets a secure email link and a short form that typically takes 2 to 3 minutes, with automatic reminders.
- Step 3
Review one report
You get a single report with answers, ratings, consistency notes and integrity signals. Your team decides; HiveRef never issues a hire or no-hire verdict.
Frequently asked questions
Is a referee check the same as a reference check?
Yes. They describe the same process. "Referee check" is the common phrase in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and "reference check" is common in the US. The referee is the person who provides the reference.
How many referees should I contact?
Most employers contact two or three. The right number depends on the seniority of the role and what you need to confirm. Our guide on how many references to check goes into detail.
Do I need the candidate's consent to contact referees?
Best practice is to tell the candidate and get their agreement before contacting their referees. Read our guide to reference checks and Australian privacy for the basics, and get legal advice for your specific situation.
Can candidates provide their own referee details?
Yes. HiveRef supports candidate self-service, so candidates can enter their own referees when that suits your process.
What does it cost in Australian dollars?
Plans start from $29/mo AUD, every new account gets 4 reference checks free, and extra candidate checks are $4.00 AUD each.
Run your first reference check today.
Four free checks. No credit card. No sales call. Set up in minutes.