Worker screening

NDIS Worker Screening Checks expire after 5 years.

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource is designed to provide quick and clear answers to the most common queries about renewing an NDIS Worker Screening Check.

To renew yours, please see the worker screening unit for the state or territory where you live.

What is an NDIS worker screening check?

An NDIS worker screening check is where a state or territory worker screening unit assesses whether a worker poses a threat to a person with disability.

State and territory worker screening units do the check on behalf of the NDIS Commission. The check decides if a worker is ‘cleared’ or ‘excluded’ from working in certain roles with people with disability. NDIS worker screening checks are valid for up to 5 years.

Who needs an NDIS worker screening check?

You need to have an NDIS worker screening check if you’re:

an employee, volunteer, contractor or student who works for:
- a registered provider in a risk-assessed role or key personnel role
- a registered provider who has decided that all their workers need to have an NDIS worker screening check
- an unregistered provider who has decided that their workers need to have an NDIS worker screening check.

a self-employed worker or a sole trader who:
- is a registered provider
- supports a self-managed NDIS participant who has decided that all their engaged workers need to have an NDIS worker screening check.

Apply for an NDIS worker screening check

The worker screening unit in your state or territory is your main point of contact for people who need a worker screening check. Contact them to:

apply for an NDIS worker screening check
access details about your current worker screening check such as:
- the expiry date
- your worker screening ID number
- the current status of your check
change the details that are associated with your current worker screening check, for example your contact details.

Go to the worker screening unit in your state or territory

The NDIS worker screening check is a national check. Workers should only apply to the worker screening unit in one state or territory.

Some jobs will require you to have a Working with children check. Please speak with the worker screening unit in the state or territory you live to confirm if an additional check is required.

Working while your application is being considered

Some states or territories allow a worker to work for a registered provider while they’re waiting for the outcome of their application. More information is available at People in a risk-assessed role waiting for the outcome of their worker screening application.

After you’ve received your NDIS worker screening check decision

After a decision has been made on your application:

The details of your worker screening check decision are recorded in the national NDIS worker screening database.
Note: You will access and update information about your worker screening check with your state or territory worker screening unit NOT directly into the NDIS worker screening database.
Once you’ve been recorded as a worker within an organisation, they can access up-to-date details about your screening check in the database.
You don’t need to upload your worker screening check anywhere – you can give any future employers your worker screening number and they can confirm the current status of your check.
NDIS worker screening checks are nationally recognised. You don’t need to reapply if you move to another state or territory.
You don’t need to reapply if business structures change, for example if you change from a sole trader to a partnership or company.
You only need to reapply if your screening check expires or is cancelled.

Renew your NDIS worker screening check

Your NDIS worker screening check is valid for up to 5 years from date of issue, unless it’s cancelled or revoked. You can apply to renew your worker screening check up to 90 days before the expiry date of your current check.

To renew your worker screening check, submit a renewal application to the worker screening unit in the state or territory that you currently live. You only need to renew your check in one jurisdiction.

Employers will get a notification when a worker linked to them has a worker screening check that’s expiring.

Sole traders or self-employed workers

I’m a sole trader or self-employed worker. How do I complete my NDIS worker screening application? See more

Every worker screening check application is required to nominate an employer. Before an application can be successful, the employer (or NDIS provider) verifies the worker is going to be working in their organisation.

As a sole trader or self-employed worker, you are seen as both the worker and the provider, and you need to complete both the application and verification steps.

1. Get access to the NDIS worker screening database

Registered providers access the database in the registered providers portal:

Registered providers portal

Unregistered providers use the applications portal to apply for access to the database:

Apply for access to the NDIS worker screening database: unregistered providers

Unregistered providers

2. Get your employer ID

Once you have access, you will either receive an email that contains your Employer ID, or you can find your Employer ID in the relevant provider portal:

3. Apply for NDIS worker screening check

Apply for your NDIS worker screening check though your state or territory worker screening unit. In the application you will enter the employer ID you got from the last step.

4. Verify the application

To complete the process, go back into the NDIS worker screening database to verify your worker screening application: