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NDIS Worker Screening Check Guide 2025 | Starr Care

NDIS Worker Screening Check – 2025 Guide for Workers, Providers, and Families

Running a quality disability service starts with trustworthy people. The NDIS Worker Screening Check (often called the NDIS Check) is the national safety gate that helps providers make sure their staff never pose a risk to participants. Below you will find an overview of what the check involves, how much it costs in each state, and the steps every worker (paid or volunteer) must follow.

Topic Key Point
Purpose Filters out anyone with a history that could endanger NDIS participants
Who needs it Paid and volunteer workers in risk-assessed roles for registered providers
Valid for 5 years (unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked)
National register NDIS Worker Screening Database (NWSD) lets providers verify clearances in real time (ndiscommission.gov.au)

What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The check looks at national criminal history, workplace misconduct findings, and other relevant information to decide whether a person should be cleared or excluded. All eight state and territory screening units feed outcomes into the central NWSD so a clearance in one state is recognised everywhere.

Roles that must hold a clearance

  • Direct support workers (personal care, community access, therapy aides)

  • Supervisors or team leaders in direct-support teams

  • Key personnel—think CEOs, directors, or anyone else who can influence service delivery

Tip for self-managed participants: You can also insist on a current clearance before hiring an unregistered provider.

Application steps (most states)

  1. Ask your employer to start the application via the relevant online portal (they nominate you).

  2. Create or log in to your digital ID (e.g., myGovID or Service NSW).

  3. Upload proof of identity (passport, licence, Medicare card).

  4. Pay the fee or confirm your volunteer status.

  5. Wait for assessment—average 2 to 6 weeks.

  6. Receive notice via email and SMS; providers see it immediately in the NWSD.

Some states still require an in-person identity check at a government service centre—double-check your local rules.

How much does an NDIS Worker Screening Check cost in 2025?

State / Territory Paid Worker Fee Volunteer Fee Validity Source
Victoria $131.60 (rises to $135.50 on 1 Jul 2025) No fee 5 yrs (vic.gov.au)
New South Wales $105 (rises to $107 on 1 Jul 2025) No fee 5 yrs (service.nsw.gov.au)
Queensland $156 (or $171 with Blue Card combo) No fee 5 yrs (workerscreening.qld.gov.au)
Western Australia $145 (concession $80) $11 5 yrs (wa.gov.au)

NDIS Check vs other common checks

Check Type What it Covers Needed For NDIS?
NDIS Worker Screening National criminal history, workplace misconduct findings, disciplinary outcomes Mandatory for risk-assessed roles
Police Certificate Criminal convictions only Accepted temporarily in aged-care crossover roles (health.gov.au)
Working With Children Check / Blue Card Offences against children Separate requirement if you support participants under 18
NDIS + Blue Card Combo (QLD only) Both NDIS and child-related checks in one application Popular in Queensland to save time and money (workerscreening.qld.gov.au)

How Starr Care keeps participants safe

  • 100 percent screened staff – Every support worker, nurse, and even head-office manager holds a current clearance before their first shift.

  • Live NWSD monitoring – We verify clearances weekly to catch any suspensions early.

  • Zero-gap onboarding – New recruits are shadow-supervised until their clearance arrives.

  • Transparent records – Families can request proof of staff clearances any time via our Contact Us page.

If you are an NDIS participant or nominee looking for a provider that takes safeguarding seriously, explore our full range of Disability Services or call us on (+61) 412 792-830

Preparing for your application – worker checklist

  1. Gather your ID: passport or birth certificate, driver licence, Medicare card.

  2. Create a digital-ready photograph (passport-style, under 5 MB).

  3. Save a PDF of your WWCC or Blue Card if you already have one.

  4. Budget for the fee—or ask your employer whether they reimburse it.

  5. Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder for status updates.

Key takeaways

  • The NDIS Worker Screening Check is non-negotiable for all high-risk roles.

  • Fees and portals differ by state, so follow the local steps above.

  • Starr Care maintains a strict 100 percent cleared-worker policy to keep you safe.

Ready to partner with a provider that puts safety first? Reach our team today by calling (+61) 412 792-830  or visiting starrcare.com.au.

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