Key takeaways
- Australia has two major tenancy databases: TICA (independent) and the National Tenancy Database (owned by Equifax). Equifax's separate consumer Tenancy Check product has been withdrawn.
- Going direct to TICA requires a paid membership ($308/year Silver plus fees, or $770/year Gold unlimited), which only makes sense if you screen regularly.
- For most self-managing landlords, the cheapest screening path is an NTD check through a platform like RentBetter at $18 per report.
- A tenancy database check plus identity verification is the minimum recommended screening for most landlords.
- No screening service guarantees a perfect tenant, as a clean report only means no recorded issues exist, not that none will arise.
A bad tenant can cost you thousands in unpaid rent, property damage, and tribunal proceedings. Good tenant screening does not guarantee a perfect tenancy, but it significantly reduces the risk. For a step-by-step process, see our guide on how to screen tenants in Australia. The challenge for self-managing landlords is knowing which screening services to use and what information they actually provide.
In Australia, tenant screening typically involves checking a tenant's identity, rental history, and whether they appear on any tenancy databases for previous defaults or tribunal orders. Some services go further with employment verification, income checks, and reference automation.
This guide reviews three tenant screening options available to Australian landlords. A note on transparency: propkt does not currently offer tenant screening. It is not on our near-term roadmap. If screening is a priority for you, the tools below are what to consider.
1. TICA (Tenancy Information Centre of Australasia)#
Best for: Comprehensive tenancy database checks used by both agents and self-managing landlords
Pricing: Membership required: Silver is $308/year plus a $110 admin fee and includes 10 searches (then roughly $19 to $22 each); Gold is $770/year with unlimited searches.
TICA is one of Australia's two major tenancy databases (TICA and Equifax's NTD both claim market-leading coverage). It is used widely by real estate agencies and by self-managing landlords who screen often enough to justify membership. When you run a TICA check, you are searching their database for any records of tenancy defaults, tribunal orders, or property damage claims against the applicant.
TICA is not just a database check. Landlords and agents can also list tenants who have defaulted on rent, caused damage, or been the subject of tribunal orders. This means the database grows over time and provides increasingly comprehensive coverage.
For self-managing landlords, TICA offers direct access. You can register as a landlord, run checks on prospective tenants, and receive reports. The reports show whether the applicant has any listings in the TICA database, along with details of any recorded defaults.
Pros:
- One of the two dominant tenancy databases in Australia and New Zealand
- Used by many real estate agencies, so broad coverage
- Direct membership available to self-managing landlords
- Reports include details of defaults, tribunal orders, and damage claims
Cons:
- Membership is mandatory and priced for regular users ($308 to $770 per year before per-search fees)
- Only shows tenants who have been listed by a previous landlord or agent
- A clean TICA check does not guarantee a good tenant (first-time renters will not appear)
- Interface can feel dated
Best if you manage several properties and screen often enough that an annual membership beats paying per report through a platform.
2. NTD (National Tenancy Database, by Equifax)#
Best for: Tenancy database checks with identity and court record verification, backed by a credit bureau
Pricing: No published consumer per-check price; sold mainly through business accounts and platforms (an NTD check through RentBetter is $18).
NTD is Australia's other major tenancy database, and it is owned and operated by Equifax, the credit reporting agency. (Equifax previously sold a separate consumer "Tenancy Check" product; that has been withdrawn, and NTD is now the Equifax path for tenant screening.) Like TICA, NTD maintains records of tenancy defaults, tribunal orders, and property damage.
The Equifax backing shows in the report depth. Depending on the report level, an NTD check can bundle identity verification against government records, national court records, bankruptcy searches, and previous address history, giving you a broader picture of the applicant than rental history alone.
The catch for a private landlord is access: NTD does not publish consumer per-check pricing, and reports are sold mainly through business accounts and integrated platforms. In practice, the easiest way to run one is through a platform that has the integration built in (see RentBetter below).
Pros:
- Major national tenancy database, owned by Equifax
- Identity verification against government records
- Court record and bankruptcy checks available
- Tiered report options from basic to comprehensive
Cons:
- No published consumer pricing; direct access requires a business account
- A tenant listed in TICA may not appear in NTD (and vice versa)
- Some advanced checks may feel excessive for standard residential tenancies
Best if you want identity and court record verification bundled with the database check, and you are happy to access it through a platform rather than directly.
3. RentBetter (Integrated NTD Screening)#
Best for: Self-managing landlords who want screening built into their tenancy management platform
Pricing: $18 per NTD report for RentBetter customers ($25 for non-customers), on top of the subscription ($36/month per property for the standalone Manage & Maintain plan).
RentBetter is a tenancy management platform with tenant screening built into its application workflow. When you receive applications through RentBetter, you can order a National Tenancy Database (NTD, by Equifax) check on an applicant directly within the platform at $18 per report. Note the checks are not included free with the subscription, and the provider is NTD, not TICA.
The advantage of integrated screening is workflow. You receive the application, review it, run the screening check, and make your decision all within one platform. There is no need to copy applicant details into a separate screening service, and the results are stored alongside the application for your records.
For a self-managing landlord who screens once every year or two, this is also the cheapest practical route to a professional database check: $18 per report against TICA's $308-plus annual membership. The subscription cost only makes sense if you want the rest of the platform too.
Pros:
- Screening integrated into the tenancy management workflow
- NTD (Equifax) database check with identity verification
- $18 per report, the cheapest practical access for occasional screening
- Results stored alongside application records
Cons:
- Reports cost extra on top of the RentBetter subscription
- Checks NTD only; a TICA-listed tenant may not appear
- Requires a RentBetter subscription (per-property pricing)
Best if you already use (or want) RentBetter for tenancy management, or you screen too rarely to justify a TICA membership.
A Note on propkt#
propkt does not offer tenant screening. Our focus is on the financial and tax side of property management: expense tracking, depreciation schedules, tax package export, and document management. If you need screening, use one of the services above. If you need tax-focused property management, propkt handles that well.
Many landlords use a screening service during tenant turnover and a separate tool like propkt for day-to-day financial management. These are complementary rather than competing needs. For tips on dealing with problem tenants when screening does not catch everything, we have a guide for that too.
What Screening Actually Covers#
It helps to understand what each type of check actually reveals:
| Check Type | What It Shows | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy Database (TICA/NTD) | Previous defaults, tribunal orders, damage claims | Only shows tenants who have been listed |
| Identity Verification | Confirms the applicant is who they claim to be | Does not assess financial reliability |
| Credit Check (via screening platforms, with consent) | Credit score, defaults, bankruptcies, court judgments | May disadvantage young renters or new migrants |
| Reference Check | Feedback from previous landlords or employers | Relies on honest responses from referees |
| Employment Verification | Confirms current employment and income | Does not predict future employment stability |
How We Chose These Services#
We evaluated screening services on criteria relevant to Australian self-managing landlords:
- Database coverage: How comprehensive is the tenancy database? How many agents and landlords contribute to it?
- Report depth: Does the report give you enough information to make an informed decision?
- Ease of use: Can a landlord without industry experience run a check and interpret the results?
- Cost-effectiveness: Is the pricing reasonable for the frequency at which most landlords screen?
- Legal compliance: Does the service help you comply with state-specific screening regulations?
Final Thoughts#
For most self-managing landlords, the minimum screening should include a tenancy database check (TICA or NTD) and identity verification. These two checks catch the most common risks: tenants with a history of defaults and applicants who are not who they claim to be.
If the property is high-value or you want additional assurance, choose an NTD report tier that bundles court record and bankruptcy checks. Be aware of your state's regulations around how you can use financial information in tenancy decisions.
If you use RentBetter for tenancy management, its integrated NTD screening at $18 per report is both the most convenient and, for occasional screening, the cheapest practical route. Screening often across several properties is the one case where a TICA membership pays for itself.
No screening service guarantees a perfect tenant. A clean report means the applicant has no recorded issues, not that they will never cause any. Screening is one tool in your risk management approach, alongside thorough condition reports, clear lease agreements, appropriate landlord insurance, and knowing how to keep good tenants once you find them.