Are you working or volunteering with Victoria's NDIS participants? If so, you need to know about the NDIS Worker Screening Check. Making sure people who work for professionals and organisations that provide services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are safe is very important. The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a very important part of the safety chain in Victoria. This makes sure that only qualified people work in difficult jobs with disabled people. A background check is required by law whether you work as a support worker, therapist, or volunteer.

This blog post explains what the check is, who needs it, how to apply it, and why it is so important to the NDIS system in Victoria.

What Is the NDIS Screening Check Victoria?

A background check called the NDIS screening check Victoria checks to see if a person is fit to work with disabled people. In line with a national plan, this is meant to keep people who pose an unacceptable risk from becoming NDIS members.

There are more parts to the NDIS Working Screening Check Victoria than in general police checks or Working with Children Checks. It looks at more than just crime records. It also looks at things like misconduct at work, disciplinary actions, and other related data. This level of detail raises safety standards and responsibility in the disability care field as a whole.

A valid screening pass shows that a person has been checked out and is thought to be safe to have direct or high-level contact with NDIS participants.

Who Must Complete the NDIS Worker Screening Check?

Anyone in Victoria who works in a risk-assessed job and provides NDIS-funded services like household task assistance or transportation must go through the NDIS worker screening check in Victoria. Among these are:

• Support workers help people with their daily tasks or give them special care.
• Allied health workers, such as counsellors, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.
• Administrative or operational staff who can see personal information about NDIS users without being monitored.
• People who are self-employed and offer registered services.
• Volunteers who work directly with clients and are accountable to and depend on them.

Keep in mind that a Working with Children Check or a Police Check does not automatically make you qualified to work in NDIS-related jobs. The Victoria NDIS worker screening check is a special rule made because of the risks that come with providing services to people with disabilities.

How to Apply for the NDIS VIC Screening Check

The process of applying for an NDIS Victoria screening check is easy, but it needs to be done right to avoid delays. To begin, follow these steps:

• Login: Use the Service Victoria page to start the application process. You'll need to use your myGov account to connect it to Service Victoria and log in.
• Identification: Use valid identification, like your driver's licence, Medicare card, or passport, to prove who you are.
• Select your company: Choose your company or say whether you're self-employed or not listed.
• Submit your Application: After sending in your application, wait for your company (if they have one) to check it through the NDIS Commission site.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety in Victoria will handle your application after you send it in. You will be able to see the result of the screening in your account. If you are cleared, your clearance will be good for 5 years and accepted in all Australian states and regions.

Processing times may be different based on your past and how hard the checks are that need to be done. Most people get results in about one to three weeks on average.

Importance of NDIS Worker Screening Check

The Victoria NDIS screening check is important for making sure that the people who help people with disabilities are safe, trustworthy, and skilled. It gives NDIS members, their families, and service providers peace of mind by making sure that people who work with vulnerable people meet strict safety standards.

Service companies would be breaking the law and being unethical if they didn't have this check. The check shows a strong dedication to keeping the values of respect, inclusion, and humanity in the care sector, in addition to following the rules.

It also keeps people with troubling records from getting jobs where they could hurt others, which helps stop abuse, neglect, and trafficking.

NDIS Worker Screening and Employers

Victoria's NDIS-registered providers are required by law to make sure that all staff members in risk-assessed jobs have a valid and up-to-date NDIS Worker Screening Check. This rule is for all workers, not just full-time staff. It also refers to volunteers and temporary workers. Employers must regularly check the status of each worker's clearance through the NDIS Commission's online portal, monitor when it expires, and make sure they are in line with any updates or changes right away to stay in compliance. No matter what, staff members whose background checks have ended or been cancelled should not be able to keep working in risky jobs. Also, for monitoring and compliance reasons, providers must keep accurate and up-to-date internal records of all background checks.

If you don't meet these responsibilities, you could face harsh penalties like large fines or losing your NDIS registration. In fact, information from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission shows that one of the main reasons providers are sanctioned is because they don't follow worker screening rules. Over 150 registered providers across Australia were fined by the government in 2023 for breaking the rules. These steps are very important for making sure that only people who have been properly screened are put in positions of trust and responsibility, which protects the safety and rights of NDIS members.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Valid Screening Check?

It is against the law in Victoria to work in a risk-assessed job without an approved NDIS screening check. Depending on the situation, you could be fired, given fines, or even be charged with a crime.

Service companies are also responsible if they let someone work without a proper check. It's against the NDIS Code of Conduct, and you could lose your provider position, have your services cut off, or have to pay fines.

You can protect your job and image by taking the initiative to make sure your background check is up-to-date and recorded correctly.

Renewal and Portability of the NDIS Worker Screening Check Victoria

Once accepted, your NDIS Workers Screening Check Victoria remains valid for 5 years, unless revoked. To stay able to work in NDIS-related jobs, you must renew it before it ends.

The good news? If you keep your information up to date with the NDIS Commission, you can use the pass in different jobs, states, and companies without having to reapply.

You are expected by law to let the screening authority know about any changes in your situation, like if you are being charged with a crime or facing disciplinary action. They may then check your clearance status.

Conclusion

The screening check for the NDIS There's more to Victoria than just checking off a list. It's an important safety measure that helps disabled people and makes sure the people who work with them are safe, honest, and trained.

Whether you're new to the NDIS or just need to update your credentials, keeping up with your NDIS worker screening check in Victoria makes sure you stay in line with Victorian law and NDIS standards. It helps make the community better and more welcoming by maintaining trust and job opportunities.

Going to the Service Victoria NDIS Screening Portal will help you start your application or find out more.

NDIS Worker Screening Check (VIC) – FAQs

1. Do I only need the NDIS Screening Check if I work full-time?

No. No matter what kind of job you have—full-time, part-time, casual, or volunteer—you have to go through the NDIS Worker Screening Check.

2. Are Police Checks or Working with Children Checks (WWCC) enough?

No. Police checks and the WWCC are not the same as the NDIS Worker Screening Check. You need to get a valid NDIS Check if you work for an NDIS-registered service in a risk-assessed job.

3. Who needs the NDIS Worker Screening Check?

If you work for a registered NDIS provider in a risk-assessed job after February 1, 2021, you need to have NDIS permission.

4. I’m a volunteer. Do I still need to fill out an application and pay?

Volunteers must use the "Volunteer" choice to get clearance. You might have to pay the standard entry fee if you're not a worker (for example, if you're a student on exchange).

5. I already have permission from another state to use the NDIS. Do I need to fill out another form in Victoria?

No. You do not have to reapply for the NDIS if you already have a good pass from another Australian state.

6. How long does it take for the check to be approved?

Usually, it takes up to 3 weeks for approval after your company checks out your application.

7. What is the cost of an NDIS worker screening check?

As of July 1, 2023, an NDIS screening check in Victoria cost $128.20.

8. How do I check my NDIS worker screening status in Victoria?

Sign in to your Service Victoria account to see the status of your NDIS Worker Screening.