So, if you haven’t heard by now, there’s been (more) big news from the NDIS recently. All of the states have now implemented a Worker Screening Check. This is a background check conducted by each state and territory to ensure that all individuals working at NDIS registered providers in a risk assessed role are safe to do so.

What’s a risk assessed role?

Put simply, a risk assessed role is any role that requires extensive contact with a person with disability. It could be a role including the delivery of services or supports to a person with disability, or even a role that has lots of indirect contact with people with disability.

Those not in a risk assessed role don’t need to apply. For example, an accountant at a disability services firm wouldn’t be required to obtain a check.

So, do I need to get a screening check?

The short answer is that it depends on your current circumstances. Workers in QLD, SA, NSW and WA are able to continue on any checks obtained prior to January 1, 2021. This is subject to also meeting the NDIS acceptable checks requirements.

After they expire, you’ll need to apply for a new NDIS Worker Screening check. If you’re in Victoria, you’ll need to obtain a new NDIS Screening Check by 31 July 2021. If you’re in the Northern Territory, you’re able to continue with your current clearances (eg an Ochre Card) for two years or until they expire, whichever comes first.

What else do I need to know?

At this stage, unregistered providers are not required to obtain an NDIS Worker Screening Check for their employers, but can elect to do so. Self-managed NDIS participants can also elect to require screening checks from their workers.

The NDIA are encouraging participants to do this for their own safety. If you’re providing services on tappON, be prepared for potential clients to ask for you to have a screening check in the future, as the transition process moves along.

If you’re based in New South Wales, you can apply for a screening check here.