Updated on May 18, 2025
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is transforming the way support is provided to Australians with disability, prioritising safety, dignity, and quality of care. Central to this mission is the NDIS worker screening check. The screening check is an important process that ensures only suitable individuals are employed to deliver NDIS services. Whether you’re a provider, participant, or worker, understanding this check is important for compliance and safety.
What is the NDIS worker screening check?
The NDIS worker screening check is an assessment conducted by the relevant state or territory screening unit to determine whether a person poses a risk to people with disability. It helps NDIS providers make safer recruitment decisions and is mandatory for certain roles under the NDIS Practice Standards. It was introduced as part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework to provide a consistent and rigorous approach to worker screening across Australia.
Why is it important?
People with disability can be particularly vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The NDIS worker screening check helps protect participants by preventing individuals with a history of concerning behaviour from working in high-risk roles. It also ensures compliance for registered NDIS providers and builds trust in the quality and safety of the NDIS workforce.
Who needs to undergo the check?
The NDIS Worker Screening Check is mandatory for workers engaged in risk-assessed roles with registered NDIS providers. This includes anyone who has direct contact with participants, access to sensitive information, or authority over service delivery. Typical roles include support workers, case managers, team leaders, and senior staff involved in decision-making. It also applies to key personnel of registered providers, such as board members and executives.
While the check is not compulsory for unregistered providers or self-managed participants, it is strongly recommended as a best practice to ensure participant safety. Self-managed participants can request that their support workers obtain a clearance before beginning service. This added layer of screening helps protect the integrity and safety of all NDIS-supported environments.
What does the screening check involve?
The NDIS worker screening check involves a comprehensive risk assessment carried out by the relevant state or territory authority. It goes beyond a basic police check by drawing on multiple sources of information to determine whether an individual poses a risk to people with disability. Specifically, the screening check evaluates:
Criminal history
As part of the NDIS worker screening check, an individual’s criminal history is thoroughly reviewed. This includes past convictions, pending charges, spent convictions, and any offences committed both in Australia and overseas. The goal is to identify patterns of behaviour, particularly those involving violence, abuse, or exploitation, that may indicate a risk to people with disability. Importantly, the context and severity of each offence are considered during the risk assessment process.
Disciplinary and misconduct records
The screening check also examines any disciplinary or misconduct records from previous employment or professional associations. This includes formal warnings, investigations, or findings related to unethical behaviour, breaches of duty of care, or inappropriate conduct, especially in roles involving vulnerable people. Information from regulatory bodies, previous employers, and government agencies may be used to assess whether a person’s past behaviour raises concerns about their suitability to work with NDIS participants.
Child protection information
Child protection information is a key component of the NDIS worker screening check, especially given the overlap between services for children and people with disability. Screening units may access records from child protection agencies, including past investigations, substantiated allegations, or involvement in child welfare matters. Even if no criminal charges were laid, concerning patterns or behaviours identified through these records can influence the outcome of the screening. This ensures that individuals who may pose a risk to children are not placed in positions of trust with vulnerable participants.
Other relevant information
Beyond criminal and disciplinary records, the screening check considers any additional information that may indicate a potential risk. This can include police intelligence reports, apprehended violence orders, intervention orders, or reports of concerning conduct not resulting in formal charges. In some cases, behavioural patterns or associations with individuals involved in criminal activity may also be reviewed. All such information is assessed in context, with a focus on whether it suggests a risk to the safety and well-being of NDIS participants.
How to apply for the check
While the process may vary slightly between states and territories, the general steps are:
- Set up a myGovID and link it to the NDIS worker screening portal.
- Apply to your state or territory’s screening unit (e.g., Services NSW, Department of Justice Victoria, etc.).
- Provide identification documents and pay the applicable fee.
- Nominate an employer or provider (if applicable).
- Wait for the assessment outcome, which is typically provided within a few weeks, depending on complexity.
The check is valid for five years (unless suspended or revoked), and your clearance is portable across roles and providers within Australia.
What happens if a worker fails the check?
If a person is found to pose an unacceptable risk, they will receive a Negative Notice, which legally prohibits them from working in risk-assessed roles under the NDIS. Providers must ensure they do not employ such individuals in those roles.
If a worker disagrees with the outcome, there is a right to review or appeal through the relevant administrative tribunal in their state or territory.
For self-managed participants
While the check is not compulsory for self-managed participants, requesting it from support workers is a good practice to promote safety and peace of mind. The NDIS worker screening check is an added assurance that those providing direct support are suitable and trustworthy.
Conclusion
The NDIS worker screening check plays an important role in upholding the safety, trust, and professionalism of Australia’s disability support sector. Whether you’re hiring workers or offering services, ensuring compliance with screening requirements is not just a legal obligation; it’s a commitment to protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Need Support? Centre Disability Support is here to guide you through safe and compliant service delivery.
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