NDIS Worker Screening Check

A national check of whether a worker is cleared to work in certain NDIS roles, overseen by the NDIS Commission.

What it means

The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a national assessment of whether a person who works, or wants to work, in certain NDIS roles poses an unacceptable risk to people with disability. It looks at a person's background to help decide whether they are suitable to provide supports and services.

The result of a successful check is called a clearance. Because it is a national check, a clearance is recognised across states and territories, which means a worker does not need a separate check for every location. The Worker Screening Check is overseen by the NDIS Commission and forms part of the wider system designed to keep participants safe.

In practice

The check applies to workers in what are known as risk-assessed roles for registered providers. These are generally roles that involve more than incidental contact with people with disability, or roles where a worker has certain responsibilities within a provider organisation.

For workers, getting a clearance is usually a step before starting in these roles. For participants, it offers extra reassurance that the people supporting them have been assessed for safety. If you use a registered provider, you can ask about their approach to worker screening. It is a reasonable question, and a good provider will be happy to explain how they keep their workers and participants safe.

A real example

For example, before Emma started work as a support worker with a registered provider, she needed an NDIS Worker Screening Check because her role involved regular, direct contact with participants. Once she received her clearance, it was recognised across the country, so she did not need a separate check when her provider later supported clients in another state.

NDIS Worker Screening Check — FAQs

What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?
It is a national assessment of whether a person who works, or seeks to work, in certain NDIS roles poses an unacceptable risk to people with disability. It examines a person's background to help decide if they are suitable. A successful result is called a clearance, and it is overseen by the NDIS Commission.
Who needs a Worker Screening Check?
The check applies to workers in risk-assessed roles for registered providers. These are generally roles involving more than incidental contact with people with disability, or roles carrying certain responsibilities within a provider. If you are unsure whether a role needs a check, it is best to ask the provider or the NDIS Commission.
Is a clearance recognised in other states?
Yes. Because the Worker Screening Check is a national check, a clearance is recognised across states and territories. This means a worker who holds a clearance does not need a separate check simply because they, or the people they support, are in a different part of the country.
What is a risk-assessed role?
A risk-assessed role is a type of role, within a registered provider, that the screening requirements apply to. It generally includes roles with more than incidental contact with people with disability, or roles with certain responsibilities in the organisation. If you are not sure whether a role qualifies, the provider or the NDIS Commission can help clarify.
Why does the Worker Screening Check matter for participants?
It gives participants extra reassurance that people working in certain roles have been assessed for safety before supporting them. It is part of the wider system, overseen by the NDIS Commission, designed to protect people with disability. If you use a registered provider, you can ask how they manage worker screening.

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