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 ensure certain staff have an NDIS worker check. These staff members cannot work in South Australia until their check is complete.
If your employer tells you that you need an NDIS worker check, you need to make an application. Your employer cannot apply on your behalf.
NDIS worker checks are valid for five years, with any employer in Australia. You can apply for a new check if your existing check will expire within three months.
Who needs an NDIS worker check
Before you apply
You can not apply for an NDIS worker check in South Australia unless you work, or intend to work, in NDIS in South Australia.
Before you apply for an NDIS worker check, confirm that you do not have an existing NDIS worker check in South Australia or another state.
If you think you may already have a valid check, ask your employer to check through their NDIS provider portal.
If you apply for an NDIS worker check, you will not also need a vulnerable person-related employment check, or a general employment probity check.
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 three months.
You will need your employer's NDIS Employer ID.
For sole traders, contractors or self-employed workers
If you are a sole trader, contractor or self-employed, you need to apply for a check as an individual and verify it through your NDIS portal.
You need to register as a provider with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to be able to verify an application.
Organisations cannot start an NDIS worker check.
For employers and organisations
Organisations cannot start an NDIS worker check. If your employee needs a check they need to apply online.
You will need to verify your employee's application through your NDIS portal.
You need to register as a provider with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to be able to verify an application
Your employee will need your NDIS Employer ID to complete their application.
Information for check holders
After an NDIS worker check clearance is granted, information sources (from bodies including SA Police and 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 had an NDIS worker check, you must notify the Screening Unit if there is a change in the information relating to you and the information arose after your most recent NDIS worker check.
It is an offence (with a maximum penalty of $50,000) to refuse or fail to notify the Screening Unit of this information.
Before you can notify the Screening Unit, you will need to verify your identity with the Screening Unit. This ensures that you are the right person and that the right details are being changed or updated. Once verified, you will 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/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 their 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.
More information
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