Queensland police are still waiting to begin their six-month trail of accessing New Zealand's criminal history data base.
Police Minister Neil Roberts says software problems and finalising legal agreements between Australia and New Zealand have so far prevented a link-up and he's unsure when it will be resolved.
The Trans-Tasman arrangement was triggered after a New Zealand fraudster moved to Australia and allegedly reoffended.
"Work is currently under way to assess the practicalities, options and issues surrounding this implementation," Mr Roberts told NZN.
"Until such time as the detailed analysis is completed and the appropriate agreements are in place between both countries, the existing agency direct processes to obtain NZ criminal history records for people working with children and the vulnerable will continue."
Mr Roberts said the checks would be conducted through CrimTrac which shares information between Australia's police, law enforcement and national security agencies.
Once the arrangement is in place, Queensland police will electronically check the criminal history of any New Zealander working in the state.
"The government is committed to closing this loophole, given the relatively free movement of persons between Australia and NZ and the current reliance on information provided on immigration cards by persons entering Australia from NZ," Mr Roberts said.
NZN