In this comprehensive resource we answer all your questions about the NDIS Woker screening process. We will be answering:

• What is the new NDIS Worker Screening Check?
• Where to get an NDIS worker screening check?
• Who needs an NDIS Worker Screening Check?
  • What is classed as a risk assessed role?
  • What about workers not engaged in risk assessed roles?
  • Do workers in all states need an NDIS Worker Screening Check?
  • Do unregistered providers need a worker screening check?
  • What about self-managed participants?
  • Are there any exceptions?
• What is the cost of an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The NDIS Worker Screening Check assesses whether a person who works (or wants to work) with people with disability are safe to do so.

The screening aims to determine whether individuals will pose a risk to people with disability, and will clear or exclude certain people from working in various roles depending on the outcome.

Flowchart to show you how it works.

Here is how it works:

1. Workers must first complete an online application to the state or territory NDIS Worker Screening Unit (WSU) and nominate an employer or self-managed participant.
2. Payment is made to the WSU, and then WSU will confirm the identity of the worker and send the application to the NDIS Worker Screening Database (NWSD).
3. This triggers an automatic email notification to the employer/provider and prompts them to log onto NWSD to verify the worker.
4. The worker will then be identified on the database and they will become ‘linked’ to the provider.
5. WSU then takes a risk assessment of the worker based on the information they have provided.
6. WSU will then determine whether the worker can be cleared or excluded, and the result is sent through to the NWSD.
7. Finally, another email is generated to the linked employer advising them of the result, and employment or continuation of employment can then commence.

Where to get an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

Apply using the links below:

• Australian Capital Territory: Access Canberra
• New South Wales: Service NSW
• Northern Territory: SAFE NT
• Queensland: Disability Worker Screening
• South Australia: Department of Human Services Screening Unit
• Tasmania: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services
• Victoria: Department of Justice and Community Safety
• Western Australia: Department of Communities

Who needs an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

It is mandatory for all workers of registered providers engaged in risk assessed roles to obtain a clearance from the screening process.

Unregistered providers and self-managed participants can choose whether or not to have their workers obtain the check.

What is classed as a risk assessed role?

Providers are responsible for determining whether a worker is in a risk assessed role or not.

According to the NDIS Commission, a risk assessed role is:

• A key personnel role of a person or entity (for example, a CEO or Board Member)
• A role for which the normal duties include the direct delivery of specified supports or specified services to a person with disability
• A role for which the normal duties are likely to require more than incidental contact with people with disability, including:
  • physically touching a person with disability; or
  • building a rapport with a person with disability as an integral and ordinary part of the performance of normal duties; or
  • having contact with multiple people with disability as part of the direct delivery of a specialist disability support or service, or in a specialist disability accommodation setting.

This means that every individual who works for a registered provider and has any direct or indirect contact with people with disability must receive a clearance under the new check.

What about workers not engaged in risk assessed roles?

For workers not engaged in a risk assessed role, it is not mandatory to receive a check. For example the person doing the admin tasks in the back office of a disability organisation.

Note: Providers can still require workers to get a worker screening check even if they are not in a risk assessed role.

Do unregistered providers need a worker screening check?

As mentioned above, unregistered providers are able to decide whether they want their workers to undergo the screening process. Although the screening process is not mandatory for workers at unregistered providers, providers can still request risk assessed workers to demonstrate their clearance or an acceptable check, as well as requesting that the worker apply for one.

What about self-managed participants?

Self-managed participants are also able to decide whether they will require screening checks for their workers. It is, however, encouraged that self-managed participants do so, and worth noting that participants can change their minds and require screening checks of their workers at any time.

Are there any exceptions?

Exceptions include secondary students who are participating in formal work experience placements with registered NDIS providers.

These individuals do not require a screening clearance or acceptable check to engage in a risk assessed role. This is valid assuming the student is directly supervised by a worker who holds a current NDIS clearance.

What is the cost of an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

Each state or territory sets their own fees for the Worker Screening Check. This fee will be paid by the worker or the employer, not by the NDIS Commission.

Please see below for a chart outlining the fees - last updated 8/10/2024:

FACT SHEETS

Worker Screening Facts Sheets

WORKER SCREENING QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES

For registered providers

         NDIS Worker Screening Check verification request

         Link a worker

         Find a worker and check their clearance status

         Unlink a worker

For unregistered providers

         Request access to the NDIS Worker Screening Database (NWSD)

         Manage NWSD access and email preferences

         NDIS Worker Screening verification request

         Find a worker and check their clearance status

         Link a worker

         Unlink a worker

For self-managed participants

         Request access to the NDIS Worker Screening Database (NWSD)

         Manage NWSD access and email preferences

         NDIS Worker Screening verification request

         Find a worker and check their clearance status

         Link a worker

         Unlink a worker