The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a fundamental requirement for individuals working with people with disabilities under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This check ensures that workers in risk-assessed roles meet the necessary safety and suitability criteria before they engage in support or service provision.
Given the vulnerability of individuals accessing NDIS services, the screening check plays a crucial role in upholding safety, quality, and trust in the disability sector.
What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a rigorous background assessment that evaluates a worker’s criminal history, past professional conduct, and other relevant information to determine their suitability for working with people with disabilities. This screening process is essential for registered NDIS providers, unregistered providers, and self-managed participants who employ workers in risk-assessed roles.
The “No Clearance, No Start” Approach
In line with its commitment to safeguarding NDIS participants, Australia has adopted a “no clearance, no start” policy. This means that individuals cannot commence work in a risk-assessed role without first obtaining an NDIS clearance. This policy safeguards people with disabilities from potential harm by preventing unsuitable individuals from entering the workforce.
Who Needs an NDIS Clearance?
All individuals employed in risk-assessed roles must obtain an NDIS Clearance before they start work.
The clearance is essential for:
- Paid workers engaged by registered NDIS providers.
- Volunteer workers in roles assessed as risk-prone.
- Sole traders who function as both provider and worker.
- Labour-hire workers engaged through third-party agencies.
Important Notice
The NDIS Worker Screening Check does not replace the Working with Children (WWC) Check. If an individual works with children as part of their NDIS role, they will need to hold both clearances.
Risk-Assessed Roles and Their Importance
A risk-assessed role is any role that involves direct contact with people with disabilities or holds key responsibilities within an NDIS service provider. These roles typically include:
- Direct service providers delivering personal care, therapy, or assistance.
- Specialist disability accommodation workers who interact with multiple NDIS participants
- Senior executives, CEOs, and board members overseeing an NDIS provider’s operations.
- Workers with physical contact or regular interactions with NDIS participants.
Registered NDIS providers must identify all risk-assessed roles in their organisation and maintain written records of such roles to ensure compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards.
| Key Criteria for Risk-Assessed Roles | Examples of Involvement |
| Physical contact with participants | Assisting with mobility, personal care |
| Building rapport as part of duties | Support workers, therapists, carers |
| Contact with multiple NDIS participants | Residential care staff, disability support workers |
Why the NDIS Worker Screening Check is Crucial for Disability Workers
1. Ensuring Safety and Trust
The primary goal of the NDIS Worker Screening Check is to protect people with disabilities from potential harm. By filtering out individuals with a history of criminal activity or professional misconduct, the system promotes a safe and trustworthy support environment
2. Compliance with Legal and Ethical Standards
Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, all registered NDIS providers must comply with strict worker screening requirements. Failing to adhere to these standards can result in penalties and jeopardise the provider’s registration status.
3. Strengthening the Disability Workforce
By enforcing rigorous background checks, the NDIS screening process helps build a high-quality workforce dedicated to ethical service delivery. Workers who pass the NDIS Check demonstrate their commitment to maintaining professional integrity and participant well-being.
4. Supporting Disability Rights Advocacy
The implementation of the NDIS Worker Screening Check aligns with the broader vision of disability rights advocates, such as Elizabeth Hastings Australia disability rights commissioner. Her contributions to disability inclusion and human rights underscore the importance of regulatory measures that protect individuals with disabilities from harm and discrimination.
How to Apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check
Applying for an NDIS Worker Screening Check is straightforward and can be done online via Service Victoria. The process includes:
- Creating a Service Victoria account and verifying identity.
- Submitting identification documents for a police check and background assessment.
- Entering employer details (Employer ID required).
- Providing consent and making the payment.
- Awaiting employer verification, after which the Worker Screening Unit assesses the application.
Employers must verify a worker’s NDIS Check application within 30 days via the National Worker Screening Database (NWSD), though it often concludes sooner, especially if there’s no criminal history to review. If not verified, the application will be withdrawn.
Cost and Validity of the NDIS Worker Screening Check
The NDIS Worker Screening Check costs $131.60 and remains valid for five years unless surrendered or revoked. However, some workers may be eligible for a WWC Check fee refund if they already hold an NDIS Clearance.
Workers who need both checks – an NDIS Worker Screening Check and a WWC, may be eligible for a WWC Check fee refund.
Important: To be eligible for a refund, you must get your NDIS Check first, then apply for the WWC Check.
Note: You can’t get a refund if your organisation asks for a WWC Check as part of their own policy.
What Happens if an Applicant Fails the NDIS Check?
If an applicant fails the NDIS Check, they may receive an Interim Exclusion, giving them the opportunity to provide further information. If they still do not meet the eligibility criteria, they will be issued a final NDIS Exclusion.
If a worker receives an NDIS Exclusion, they are prohibited from working in risk-assessed roles and cannot reapply for five years unless their circumstances change.
| NDIS Clearance vs. Exclusion | What It Means |
| NDIS Clearance | Worker is approved to work in risk-assessed roles. |
| NDIS Exclusion | Worker is banned from working in NDIS risk-assessed roles for five years. |
Final Thoughts
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is an essential safeguard that protects individuals with disabilities while ensuring that only qualified and ethical professionals engage in support roles. As Elizabeth Hastings Australia’s disability rights commissioner and other advocates have long emphasised, maintaining high safety standards in the NDIS workforce is critical for fostering inclusion, trust, and dignity in disability support services.
Employers and workers must prioritise compliance with NDIS Worker Screening regulations to uphold the integrity of the disability sector. With a no-clearance, no-start policy, Australia is taking a firm stance on safety, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive care from trusted and vetted professionals.
