If you work for a registered NDIS provider, you may need to have a worker screening clearance. In South Australia, this is called an NDIS worker check.
NDIS providers must make sure certain staff have an NDIS worker check and these staff members can't work in SA until their check is complete.
If your employer says you need an NDIS worker check, you must be the one to apply. Your employer can't apply on your behalf.
NDIS worker checks are valid for 5 years, with any employer in Australia. You can apply for a new check if your existing check will expire within 3 months.
Who needs an NDIS worker check
Expiring NDIS worker checks
NDIS worker checks are valid for 5 years.
If you've received a notification that your NDIS worker check will expire soon, you must apply for a new check to be able to continue working with people with disability in a risk-assessed role.
You can apply for a new NDIS worker check if your existing check will expire within 3 months.
If you're renewing an NDIS worker check that was granted by the South Australian Screening Unit, you may be eligible to continue working, while your new application is being processed, if you apply early.
To be eligible for this extension you must apply before your current NDIS worker check expires.
If you moved to South Australia to work in the disability sector with an NDIS worker check that was granted to you by an interstate authority, you don't qualify for an extension. It's important that you apply for your NDIS worker check renewal 3 months before your check expires.
If you have already applied to renew your NDIS worker check in another state or territory, you don't need to apply in South Australia too.
Before you apply
You can only apply for an NDIS worker check in SA if you work, or intend to work, in NDIS in South Australia
Before you apply for an NDIS worker check, confirm that you don't have an existing NDIS worker check in SA or another state.
If you think you may already have a valid check, ask your employer to check through their NDIS provider portal.
How to apply
For individuals
Your employer will tell you if you need an NDIS worker check.
You can apply for a new NDIS worker check if your existing check will expire within 3 months.
You will need your employer's NDIS Employer ID.
For sole traders, contractors or self-employed workers
If you're a sole trader, contractor or self-employed, you need to apply for a check as an individual and verify it through your NDIS portal.
If you need to register as an NDIS provider or gain access to the NDIS portal as a self-managed participant or unregistered provider you'll need to contact the NDIS Commission.
Organisations can't start an NDIS worker check.
For employers and organisations
Organisations can't start an NDIS worker check. If your employee needs a check they must apply online.
Your employee will need your NDIS Employer ID to complete their application.
You'll need to verify your employee's application through your NDIS portal.
If you need to register as an NDIS provider or gain access to the NDIS portal as a self-managed participant or unregistered provider, contact the NDIS Commission.
For individuals
Your employer will tell you if you need an NDIS worker check.
You can apply for a new NDIS worker check if your existing check will expire within 3 months.
You will need your employer's NDIS Employer ID.
For sole traders, contractors or self-employed workers
If you're a sole trader, contractor or self-employed, you need to apply for a check as an individual and verify it through your NDIS portal.
If you need to register as an NDIS provider or gain access to the NDIS portal as a self-managed participant or unregistered provider you'll need to contact the NDIS Commission.
Organisations can't start an NDIS worker check.
For employers and organisations
Organisations can't start an NDIS worker check. If your employee needs a check they must apply online.
Your employee will need your NDIS Employer ID to complete their application.
You'll need to verify your employee's application through your NDIS portal.
If you need to register as an NDIS provider or gain access to the NDIS portal as a self-managed participant or unregistered provider, contact the NDIS Commission.
Information for check holders
After an NDIS worker check clearance is granted, information sources, including SA Police and the Department for Child Protection, are monitored for any new information relevant to a person's check status. Also, the NDIS Commission and authorities in other states and territories notify the Screening Unit if an NDIS worker check holder commits certain offences in their jurisdiction.
If new information means a person's clearance status is changed or revoked, the person and known organisations will be notified.
Worker responsibilities
If you have an NDIS worker check, you must notify the Screening Unit if you change your:
- name or use another name or names
- address or contact details.
It's an offence with a maximum penalty of $50,000 to refuse or fail to notify the Screening Unit of any changes to your information.
Before you can notify the Screening Unit, you'll need to verify your customer details. This ensures that you're the right person, and that the right details are being changed or updated. Once verified, you'll be sent an email with a link that will allow you to notify the Screening Unit of a change in information.
Cancel your NDIS worker check
You can ask to cancel your NDIS worker check clearance at any time. Email DHSScreeningUnit@sa.gov.au.
We cannot cancel the clearance if:
- the clearance is suspended; or
- we are undertaking, or proposing to undertake, a risk assessment.
Employer or organisation responsibilities
Verify an employee has a check
A registered NDIS provider can only employ a person in a risk-assessed role if they have verified that the person has an NDIS worker check clearance.
For workers who hold an NDIS worker check, NDIS providers and self-managed participants can verify through their NDIS Portal.
For workers holding a DHS check that is recognised for NDIS work, NDIS providers can obtain this information from their Screening Unit organisational portal.
NDIS self-managed participants can ask to verify a worker has a DHS screening by emailing DHSScreeningUnit@sa.gov.au.
If you can't email, phone the customer services team on 1300 321 592.
You must include the following information:
- your full name
- your contact details (email or telephone)
- the full name of the worker to be verified and their Screening Number. If the worker does not know their Screening Number, please provide their date of birth so that they can be identified in our system
- contact details for the worker (email or telephone)
- confirmation that you understand and agree to the Screening Unit contacting the worker and providing your name to the worker as part of the verification process.
For privacy and confidentiality reasons, we will contact the worker and ask for their permission to release their personal information, before releasing it to you. We will provide the worker with your name, as the person who is seeking their personal information.
When we have the worker's permission, we will provide you with confirmation of the DHS screenings that the worker holds as well as the screening expiry dates.
Related information
Contact
Online
For queries about new or existing screening checks, complete the contact the Screening Unit form.
Contact the Screening Unit
Phone
1300 321 592
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
In person
You can only contact the Screening Unit by phone or using the online enquiry form.
In rare circumstances, the Screening Unit will contact applicants to attend a personal interview.
