Welcome to the NDIS Check Newsletter
Thank you for continuing to stay up to date with NDIS Worker Screening in Western Australia.We encourage you to share this newsletter with your colleagues and they may also choose to subscribe.
The ‘phasing in period’ is coming to an end.
From 1 February 2023 it will be mandatory for workers in risk assessed roles for registered NDIS providers to hold an NDIS Check clearance or pending valid application.
Workers should commence their application immediately by visiting our website Applying for an NDIS Check (www.wa.gov.au).
Check out our ‘end of phasing in’ video series to find out about your NDIS Check responsibilities.
Compliance Tip
Acceptable Checks will no longer be valid.
Current ‘acceptable checks’ will no longer be valid once the phasing in period ends. Your workers must submit an application for an NDIS Check clearance and be verified by the employer to avoid being noncompliant.
It is an offence to work without an NDIS Check clearance, or without having applied for one, and penalties will apply.
The Compliance Team is heading to the Mid West.
In March 2023, Compliance Officers John and Barbara will be in Geraldton engaging with providers and individuals to help achieve greater compliance with legislated worker screening requirements. Activities will include a range of onsite reviews and unannounced visits.
If you are a provider in the Mid West and have any questions about what this means for you, contact our Compliance Team Leader on 1800 225 558 (select option one).
Questions from the sector
Click the button below to submit a question you want answered or to request a meeting with our Customer Support Coordinator Debbie.
We are happy to help where we can although we may need to refer you to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissions for matters that fall under their jurisdiction.
My worker has an NDIS Check issued in another State. Is the clearance valid in Western Australia?
Yes. NDIS Check outcomes are valid across Australia. If a worker who already holds an NDIS Check commences with your organisation, they do not need to apply again. You can link your organisation to the worker through the NDIS Worker Screening Database.
We are a Residential Aged Care NDIS provider. Do all our workers need to have an NDIS Check by 1 February 2023?
The phasing in arrangements are slightly different for residential aged care providers who are also registered NDIS providers.
Residential aged care providers can satisfy their NDIS Worker Screening obligations by ensuring that a worker engaging in a risk assessed role holds:
- a valid acceptable aged care provider check issued before 1 February 2021; OR
- a valid acceptable check in accordance with state and territory transitional arrangements issued before 1 February 2021; OR
- an NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. An acceptable aged care provider check will no longer be valid after three years having passed from the date the police certificate was issued (before 1 February 2021).
See the flowchart regarding worker screening requirements for residential aged care providers on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website.
The Department of Communities acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
