NDIS Worker Screening Check Implementation Update

As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguarding Framework, the Commonwealth, and most states and territories will implement the NDIS Worker Screening Check shortly.

Until then, providers will need to comply with the NDIS (Practice Standards–Worker Screening) Rules 2018, which recognise their existing state and territory worker screening arrangements. South Australian providers who have been required to comply with the NDIS quality and safeguards arrangements since 1 July 2018 have interim arrangements for worker screening. These arrangements will continue to stay in place until the NDIS Worker Screening Check is implemented in South Australia. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) and the South Australian government will tell you when the NDIS Worker Screening Check will start.

Until then, interim arrangements will continue.

Q&A

What do I need to do right now?

You must ensure that particular workers have undergone the appropriate screening for your state and hold a current clearance. This is a mandatory requirement of your NDIS provider registration.

Registered providers must:

1. Identify which roles and jobs need a check

Registered NDIS providers are required to make sure that workers in risk-assessed roles have an appropriate clearance and keep records.

These include:

• Key personnel;
• Roles for which the normal duties involve more than incidental contact with NDIS participants; and
• Roles for which the normal duties include the direct delivery of specified supports or specified services to a person with disability. A list of specified supports and specified services can be found in the ‘Worker screening’ section of the NDIS Commission website.

2. Ensure all workers in risk-assessed roles have an appropriate clearance

Engaging workers that do not have an appropriate clearance in these roles could be a breach of your registration conditions. It may also be an offence under state and territory legislation for workers to work without a clearance if their role requires one.

Until the NDIS Worker Screening Check commences, what is an appropriate clearance in South Australia?

From 1 July 2019, the following checks will continue to be acceptable checks for workers providing NDIS supports and services:

• Department of Human Services Disability Services Employment Screening Clearance;
• Department of Human Services Child-related Employment Screening Clearance issued before 1 July 2019;
• Until they expire (three years from date of issue), or are revoked.

Any new NDIS worker in South Australia who requires a check, or whose existing check expires after 1 July 2019, will need to obtain a Department of Human Services Disability Services Employment Screening Clearance, until the NDIS Worker Screening Check is in place.  A Working with Children Check is not an acceptable check for the purposes of providing NDIS services and supports.

If you have any questions about worker screening or complying with the Rules, please read the Worker Screening factsheet or contact the NDIS Commission on 1800 035 544.