NDIS Worker Check vs Police Check vs WWCC
The NDIS Worker Screening Check, a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check are different things. Here’s what each is, and which you actually need.
The quick answer: which check do you actually need?
What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?
What is a national police check, and how is it different?
What is the Working With Children Check (WWCC)?
Do the checks overlap — and can one replace another?
How much do they cost and how long do they take?
Who pays — you or the employer?
A realistic scenario: getting job-ready in six weeks
Common mistakes and what to watch for
How the checks fit with the NDIS Code of Conduct and your obligations
Your step-by-step checklist before you start applying for jobs
Frequently asked questions
Is an NDIS Worker Screening Check the same as a police check?
No. A police check is a point-in-time list of your disclosable criminal history that an employer interprets themselves, while an NDIS Worker Screening Check is a formal clearance decision — a yes or no — made by your state screening unit specifically for NDIS risk-assessed roles. The NDIS check is also continuously monitored, so new information can affect it after it's issued, whereas a police check is frozen at its issue date. For most NDIS support work you need the NDIS check, and a police check alone won't satisfy that requirement.
Do I need a WWCC if I only support adults?
Strictly, a Working With Children Check is about working with people under 18, so if none of your participants are children you may not legally need one. However, many disability employers ask for a WWCC regardless because it keeps you eligible for the widest range of shifts, including school-holiday and family-based supports. Holding one alongside your NDIS clearance is often the practical choice if you want to say yes to more work.
Can I use my NDIS Worker Screening Check with more than one employer?
Yes. The NDIS Worker Screening Check is designed to be portable across registered NDIS providers and is recognised in every state and territory, so you don't re-apply each time you change jobs. Each new provider will verify your clearance against your name and application ID and link you to their organisation. Just keep your reference number handy and make sure your clearance stays current, because a lapsed clearance can stop you working.
How much does the NDIS Worker Screening Check cost in 2026?
As at 2026, screening fees for paid workers typically sit in the low-to-mid tens of dollars, and are often cheaper or free for volunteers, but the exact amount is set by each state or territory and reviewed regularly. Because prices change and differ across jurisdictions, don't rely on a figure you read online. Confirm the current fee directly with your state or territory screening unit before you apply.
What's the difference between the SCHADS pay rate and NDIS pricing — does it affect my checks?
These are two completely separate things and neither pays for your checks directly. The SCHADS Award (MA000100) sets the minimum hourly rate you're paid as a worker, while the NDIS price limit is the maximum a provider can charge a participant's plan — they are not the same number and shouldn't be conflated. Your screening costs are a separate personal or employer expense; some providers reimburse them, so it's worth asking at interview. Note too that superannuation rises to 12% from 1 July 2026, which affects your pay but not your checks.
How long does the NDIS Worker Screening Check take to come back?
It varies from a few days to several weeks, because it's a genuine assessment of your history rather than an automated record pull, and complex cases take longer. That's why it's the check you should apply for first and earliest when you're job hunting. If a role is time-sensitive, ask the employer whether you can start under supervision while your clearance is being processed, but confirm the current rules with the NDIS Commission.
Do I need to renew these checks, and how do I keep track?
The NDIS Worker Screening Check and WWCC are both clearances with expiry dates — typically around five years, subject to conditions — and both are continuously monitored in the meantime. A national police check has no expiry but employers often ask for a recent one. The simplest system is to save a digital copy of each clearance with its reference number and flag the expiry dates in your calendar so you renew early and never get caught uncleared mid-roster.