What is a Worker Screening Check?
State and Territory worker screening units, on behalf of the NDIS Commission, assess whether a person who works, or seeks to work, with people with disability poses a risk to them. A worker will either be cleared or excluded from working in certain roles with people with disability.
Apply for an NDIS worker screening check
The worker screening unit in your state or territory is your main point of contact for people who need a worker screening check. Contact them to:
- apply for an NDIS worker screening check
- access details about your current worker screening check such as the expiry date, your worker screening ID number and the current status
- change the details that are associated with your current worker screening check, for example your contact details.
Some jobs will require you to have a Working with children check. Please speak with the worker screening unit in the state or territory you live to confirm if an additional check is required.
Working while your application is being considered
Some states or territories allow a worker to work for a registered provider while they’re waiting for the outcome of their application. More information is available at People in a risk-assessed role waiting for the outcome of their worker screening application.
After you’ve received your NDIS worker screening check
- Details of your worker screening check outcome are recorded in the national NDIS worker screening database.
Note: You will access and update information about your worker screening check with your state or territory worker screening unit NOT directly into the NDIS worker screening database. - Once you’ve been recorded as a worker within an organisation, they can access up-to-date details about your screening check in the database.
- You don’t need to upload your worker screening check anywhere – you can give any future employers your worker screening number and they can confirm the current status of your check.
- NDIS worker screening checks are nationally recognised. You don’t need to reapply if you move to another state or territory.
- You don’t need to reapply if business structures change, for example if you change from a sole trader to a partnership or company.
- You only need to reapply if your screening check expires or is cancelled.
NDIS Worker Screening Database (NWSD)
The NDIS Worker Screening Database is a national register of all NDIS workers who have completed or applied for the NDIS Worker Screening Check. We monitor and update the register regularly. State and Territory worker screening units also access the register and update it with cleared and excluded workers as they are assessed.
Get access to the worker screening database
Registered providers
Registered providers need to make sure people in specific roles in their organisation have an NDIS worker screening clearance. Registered providers access the NDIS worker screening database in the Registered providers portal.
If you already have access to the database, log in here:
- Worker screening for registered providers
- Accessing the registered providers portal
- Quick reference guide: How to log into the NDIS Worker Screening Database, manage access for staff and set email preferences.
Unregistered providers and NDIS participants
Unregistered providers and NDIS participants can search the database to:
- check and monitor the clearance status of workers
- confirm that a worker is, or will be, engaged by them.
If you already have access to the database, log in here:
Unregistered providers Self-managed participants
Otherwise you’ll need to apply for access:
Sole traders or self-employed workers
Every worker screening check application is required to nominate an employer. Before an application can be successful, the employer (or NDIS provider) verifies the worker is going to be working in their organisation.
As a sole trader or self-employed worker, you are seen as both the worker and the provider, and you need to complete both the application and verification steps:
1. Get access to the NDIS worker screening database
Registered providers access the database in the registered providers portal:
- Accessing the registered providers portal
- Quick reference guide: How to log into the NDIS Worker Screening Database, manage access for staff and set email preferences.
Unregistered providers use the applications portal to apply for access to the database:
2. Get your employer ID
Once you have access, you will either receive an email that contains your Employer ID, or you can find your Employer ID in the relevant provider portal:
- Registered provider – Generate employer ID document
- Unregistered provider – Generate employer ID document
3. Apply for NDIS worker screening check
Apply for your NDIS worker screening check though your state or territory worker screening unit. In the application you will enter the employer ID you got from the last step.
4. Verify the application
To complete the process, go back into the NDIS worker screening database to verify your worker screening application:
Worker screening legislation
Worker screening rules come from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Practice Standards—Worker Screening) Rules 2018. Registered providers will find an explanation of their worker screening requirements under that legislation in Worker screening for registered providers.
Help
Read our Quick Reference Guides on how to use the database.
For technical support, email nqsc.ictsupport@ndiscommission.gov.au