7 January 2022

Provider alert: NDIS Worker Screening – Victoria

Registered NDIS providers in Victoria are reminded that workers in risk assessed roles who do not have an NDIS Worker Screening Check must apply for one before 31 January 2022, unless an exception applies. This alert explains what this means for you, your workers and the people with disability you support. 

Key points

• Workers in Victoria engaged by a registered NDIS provider in a risk assessed role must apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check before 31 January 2022, unless an exception applies.
• Workers who have made an application for an NDIS Worker Screening Check by 31 January 2022 and have an acceptable check can continue to work in a risk assessed role until their NDIS Worker Screening Check application is decided.
• Workers who meet the requirements of Victoria’s Safety Screening Policy and have a Working with Children Check Clearance can continue to work in a risk assessed role until their Working with Children Check Clearance expires.

Allowing workers to work in a risk assessed role without an NDIS Worker Screening Check

From 1 February 2022, registered NDIS providers in Victoria must ensure that all workers engaged in a risk assessed role have made an application for an NDIS Worker Screening Check. The only exception to this requirement will be individuals who have a current Working with Children Check issued before 31 January 2021.

What is an acceptable check in Victoria?

Victoria has a single type of acceptable check based on the Victorian Safety Screening Policy.

From 1 February 2022, a person will have an acceptable check in Victoria when:

• The registered NDIS provider was complying with the Victorian Safety Screening Policy before 1 February 2021 by having the checks required under that policy in relation to the person, including;
  • Police record check; and
  • Disability Worker Exclusion List Check; and
  • VIC Working with children check  under the Working with Children Act 2005 (being the applicable legislation prior to 1 February 2021).
• Those checks remain current and have not expired.

Workers engaged in a risk assessed role on or after 1 February 2021 by a new employer must apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic). Under the Worker Screening Act 2020, a person who holds an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and who is engaged in ‘child-related work’ must also hold a Working with Children Check.

How long can an acceptable check be relied on in Victoria?

Registered NDIS providers can rely on a worker’s acceptable check under transitional and special arrangements to work in a risk assessed role for a registered NDIS provider in Victoria until:

• If the worker only holds a valid police check and Disability Worker Exclusion List Checks – 31 January 2022 (unless they have applied for an NDIS Worker Screening Check); or
• If the worker holds a valid Police record check, Disability Worker Exclusion List Check and Working with Children Check that was given before 1 February 2021 – the expiry of the Working with Children Check.

How to check if a worker has an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance

When a worker applies for an NDIS Worker Screening Check they must nominate an employer (registered NDIS provider, unregistered provider, plan or self-managed participant) to verify their application. Once the employer verifies their application the worker will be linked to the employer and the employer can view the worker’s NDIS Worker Screening Check status.

If a worker already has an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and their application has been previously verified, the employer can manually link the worker to their organisation.

Once the employer is linked to the worker, the employer will receive updates about the worker’s NDIS Worker Screening Check status e.g. when the worker has a pending application, or if the worker has an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance or Exclusion.

These quick reference guides explain how to verify an application, link a worker, or search for a worker and find their clearance status.

Application for an NDIS Worker Screening Check

The Victorian Worker Screening Unit is the state government agency responsible for processing applications for the NDIS Worker Screening Check, including assessing applications and determining if a worker is issued with an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance or Exclusion. Applications for an NDIS Worker Screening Check are not processed or assessed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Workers can apply for an NDIS Worker Screening Check through Service Victoria. Enquiries about an application, including issues with the application process or the status of an application should be directed to the Victorian Worker Screening Unit.

More information and resources

There are a range of fact sheets, flowcharts, and quick reference guides on our website, as well as information that may assist you with the following enquiries:

• Who needs an NDIS Worker Screening Check?
• What is a risk assessed role?
• What is an acceptable check under the transition arrangements?
• What is a valid acceptable check in my jurisdiction?
• Can a worker commence in a risk assessed role without an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance?
• What are the work on application arrangements in my jurisdiction?

Contact Us

Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am 4.30pm in the NT) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: nwsd@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au