NDIS / Aged Care Worker Screening Check

What’s Actually Involved

It’s a national safety check that looks at a person’s criminal history and workplace misconduct history to decide if they are safe to work with the elderly or people with disability.
The outcome is either CLEARED or EXCLUDED.

1. What the Check Looks At

The Worker Screening Unit in each state/territory assesses:

  • National criminal history (all states and territories)

  • Serious charges or convictions, including:

    • violence

    • sexual offences

    • fraud or dishonesty

    • offences against vulnerable people

  • Workplace misconduct history, including:

    • previous bans or exclusions

    • findings of abuse, neglect, exploitation

    • disciplinary action in disability, aged care, health, education

  • Any relevant police intelligence (not just convictions)

  • Patterns of behaviour that may indicate risk

This is why it’s more comprehensive than a standard police check.

2. What a Worker Must Provide

To apply, a worker needs:

  • Verified identity (usually 3+ ID documents)

  • A selfie/biometric match to confirm identity

  • Employer ID (the provider or participant must verify the application)

  • Consent for criminal and misconduct checks

  • Payment (fee varies by state; around $120–$150, volunteers often free)

3. What the Worker Screening Unit Does

After the worker applies, the unit:

  1. Verifies identity

  2. Runs national police checks

  3. Checks misconduct databases

  4. Assesses risk using national rules

  5. Issues a decision:

    • NDIS Clearance (valid 5 years)

    • NDIS Exclusion

Clearances are nationally recognised — one check works across all states.

4. Who Needs an NDIS Check

A worker needs an NDIS check if they:

  • Work for a registered NDIS provider in a risk‑assessed role

  • Are a sole trader supporting NDIS participants

  • Work with a self‑managed participant who requires it

  • Work in aged care but support NDIS participants

For Support at Home, it’s often used as a higher-level safety check for sole traders or subcontractors.

5. What “Risk-Assessed Role” Means

A role is risk‑assessed if it involves:

  • Direct support

  • Personal care

  • Transport

  • Behaviour support

  • Regular contact with multiple participants

  • Any role where trust and vulnerability are high

6. What Happens After Clearance

  • Worker gets an NDIS Worker Screening ID

  • Providers can check status in the national database

  • Worker must notify if charged with certain offences

  • Clearance can be suspended or revoked if new information arises

7. How This Fits Into Support at Home (SAH)

For SAH, an NDIS check is often used when:

  • A worker is doing higher-risk tasks

  • A client has dual NDIS/aged care needs

  • A provider wants a stronger safety baseline

  • A sole trader is delivering personal care or transport

It is not mandatory for all SAH workers, but many Coordination Services prefer it for safety and consistency

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