How to Verify Your Support Worker's NDIS Worker Screening Check: A Participant's Guide

When hiring a support worker for personal care, domestic assistance, or community access in Melbourne, one of the most important safety checks you can do is verifying their NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. This isn't just bureaucratic paperwork—it's a critical safeguard designed to protect people with disability from workers who pose a risk of harm.

As an NDIS support worker with a current Worker Screening Check clearance, I want to explain what the screening check is, why it matters, how you can verify any support worker's clearance status online in under a minute, what red flags to watch for, and what the screening does and doesn't tell you about a worker's suitability.

What Is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a nationally consistent screening process for people who work with people with disability. It was introduced in February 2021 as part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's role in protecting participants from harm.

The screening check assesses whether a person poses a risk to people with disability based on their criminal history, relevant findings from professional disciplinary bodies (like nursing or teaching registration boards), findings of misconduct in relation to people with disability, and relevant findings from child protection agencies.

Workers who pass the screening receive an NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance with a unique check number. This clearance is valid for five years in most states, including Victoria, after which workers must apply for renewal.

Who Needs an NDIS Worker Screening Check?

The requirement depends on whether the worker is employed by a registered NDIS provider or working as an unregistered provider with self-managed or plan-managed participants:

Registered providers: All workers delivering supports or services to NDIS participants must have NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. This is a condition of NDIS registration and applies regardless of the participant's management type.

Unregistered providers: Workers providing supports to self-managed or plan-managed participants must have NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance if they are providing certain risk-assessed supports or working with participants under 18. Even for low-risk supports, having the clearance is considered best practice and many participants require it.

As an unregistered provider working with self-managed and plan-managed participants in Melbourne's inner south, I maintain NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance even though it's not legally required for all the supports I provide. It demonstrates my commitment to meeting the same standards as registered providers and gives participants confidence in my suitability.

Why the Screening Check Matters

People with disability are at higher risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation than the general population. Research from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has documented the serious and systemic nature of this problem.

Support workers enter your home, assist with intimate personal care, handle your finances, and are present during vulnerable moments. A worker with a history of violence, theft, sexual offences, or abuse of people with disability poses serious risk if allowed to work unsupervised with participants.

The screening check doesn't guarantee a worker is trustworthy—no background check can do that. But it does identify workers with criminal histories or disciplinary findings that indicate they shouldn't be working with vulnerable people. It's one layer of protection in a multi-layered safeguarding approach.

How to Verify a Worker's Clearance Online

The NDIS Commission provides a free online verification tool that allows anyone to check a worker's clearance status. Here's exactly how to use it:

Step 1: Get the Worker's Information

You'll need the worker's NDIS Worker Screening Check number (a unique identifier starting with their state code, like "VIC" for Victoria), their full legal name (as it appears on the clearance), and their date of birth.

A legitimate support worker will readily provide this information. If a worker refuses or makes excuses about why they can't provide their clearance number, this is a major red flag.

Step 2: Access the Verification Tool

Go to the NDIS Commission's Worker Screening Check verification page at ndiscommission.gov.au/workers/worker-screening. Look for the link to "Verify a clearance" or "Check a worker's clearance status." This tool is publicly accessible—you don't need to create an account or log in.

Step 3: Enter the Details

Enter the worker's clearance number, name, and date of birth exactly as they appear on the clearance. Even small variations in spelling or formatting can prevent verification, so ensure accuracy.

Step 4: Review the Results

The system will immediately tell you whether the clearance is current and valid. You'll see the clearance number, the worker's name, the date the clearance was issued, and the expiry date (clearances are valid for 5 years in Victoria).

If the clearance is valid, you'll receive confirmation that this person has current NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance. If the clearance has expired, been suspended, or been cancelled, the system will indicate this. If the details don't match or the clearance number doesn't exist, you'll receive a message that the clearance cannot be verified.

What a Valid Clearance Looks Like

When you verify a clearance online, a valid result will show:

Clearance status: "Current" or "Valid" (wording may vary but indicates active clearance).

Clearance number: The unique identifier you entered, typically formatted as state code + number (e.g., VIC12345678).

Worker's name: Should match the name the worker provided to you.

Issue date: When the clearance was granted.

Expiry date: When the clearance expires (5 years from issue date in Victoria). Make note of this date—you should re-verify before it expires if working with this person long-term.

Take a screenshot of the verification result for your records. If you're self-managed, this documentation shows you've done due diligence in verifying your worker's clearance.

Red Flags That Should Concern You

Several situations should raise immediate concerns about a support worker's screening status:

Refusing to Provide Clearance Details

If a worker says they have a clearance but won't provide the clearance number, claims the number is "private" or "confidential," says you don't need to verify it, or becomes defensive or evasive when asked, this is a serious red flag. Legitimate workers understand that participants have the right to verify clearances and will provide the information without hesitation.

Clearance Cannot Be Verified

If the verification system cannot confirm the clearance, possible reasons include the clearance number doesn't exist (worker may have provided a fake number), the clearance has expired, the clearance has been cancelled or suspended, or the name/date of birth don't match (worker may have provided someone else's clearance number).

Do not proceed with hiring this worker until the discrepancy is resolved. If a worker claims to have a valid clearance but it cannot be verified, either they're mistaken about their clearance status or they're deliberately misrepresenting their credentials.

Expired Clearance

If a worker's clearance has expired, they are not authorized to work with NDIS participants until they renew and receive a new clearance. Some workers continue working after their clearance expires, either because they forgot to renew or because they're hoping participants won't check.

An expired clearance is not the same as a valid clearance. The worker must stop providing NDIS supports until renewal is complete.

Showing a Physical Card Instead of Providing Number

Some workers will show you a physical clearance card but resist providing the number for online verification. While the cards are legitimate, you should still verify online because the card could be from someone else, the card might be outdated even if it looks current, or the clearance might have been cancelled after the card was issued.

Always verify online using the clearance number, not just by looking at a card.

What the Screening Check Does Cover

The NDIS Worker Screening Check assesses several categories of information:

Criminal history: All criminal convictions, charges, and findings of guilt in Australia and, where available, overseas. This includes spent convictions (old convictions that would normally no longer appear on checks).

Disciplinary findings: Findings of professional misconduct from regulatory bodies like the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for health professionals, teaching registration boards, or other professional regulators.

Child protection findings: Findings from child protection agencies if the worker has been found to have harmed or posed risk to children.

NDIS specific findings: Previous findings of misconduct or abuse in NDIS or disability services.

The screening unit assesses whether this information indicates the person poses an unjustifiable risk to people with disability. Not all criminal convictions result in clearance denial—the assessment considers the nature of the offence, how long ago it occurred, the person's conduct since then, and the relevance to working with people with disability.

What the Screening Check Does NOT Cover

It's important to understand the limitations of the screening check:

It doesn't verify qualifications or training. The screening check confirms the person isn't prohibited from working with people with disability, but it doesn't confirm they have Certificate III in Individual Support, medication assistance training, or any other qualifications. You must verify qualifications separately.

It doesn't guarantee competence or quality. A worker can have a valid clearance but still provide poor-quality support, lack necessary skills, or be unreliable. The clearance addresses risk of harm, not quality of work.

It doesn't check references. The screening check doesn't include feedback from previous participants or employers. You should still ask for and check references.

It doesn't verify insurance. Having a screening clearance doesn't mean the worker has professional indemnity and public liability insurance. You must verify insurance separately.

It doesn't cover recent offences. The screening check is based on information available at the time of assessment. If a worker commits an offence after receiving clearance, this won't appear until they renew (or until the clearance is reviewed due to new charges).

The screening check is one important safeguard, but it's not the only verification you should do when hiring a support worker.

Other Checks You Should Do

In addition to verifying NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance, participants should verify:

Qualifications: Ask to see copies of Certificate III in Individual Support or other relevant qualifications. Verify medication assistance certification (HLTHPS006), food safety certification (HLTFSE001), manual handling training (HLTWHS005), and first aid certification (HLTAID011).

Insurance: Request current certificates of currency for both professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Verify coverage amounts are adequate (minimum $5 million, preferably $10 million).

Police Check: While the NDIS Worker Screening Check includes criminal history, some participants also ask for a National Police Check for additional assurance.

Working with Children Check: If the participant is under 18 or if the worker will be around children, verify current Working with Children Check (or equivalent in your state).

References: Ask for references from previous participants (with their permission) or agencies the worker has worked for. Actually contact the references—don't just accept written references without verification.

NDIS registration status: If the worker claims to be registered with the NDIS Commission, verify this through the NDIS provider search. Many independent workers are unregistered (like me), which is fine for self-managed and plan-managed participants, but registered workers should be verifiable.

When to Re-Verify Clearance

Worker screening clearance isn't a one-time check. You should re-verify:

Before the expiry date: Clearances expire after 5 years in Victoria. If you're working with the same support worker long-term, check that they've renewed before expiry. Set a reminder for a few months before the expiry date shown on your initial verification.

If you have concerns: If a worker's behavior raises concerns or you hear concerning information about them, re-verify their clearance. It's possible (though rare) for clearances to be suspended or cancelled between issue and expiry if new information comes to light.

If the worker changes states: If your support worker moves to a different state, they may need to apply for a new clearance in that state. Clearances are generally portable across states, but verification details may change.

After any gap in service: If you stop using a support worker and then re-engage them months or years later, verify their clearance again before they return to providing supports.

What to Do If a Clearance Can't Be Verified

If you attempt to verify a support worker's clearance and it cannot be confirmed, take these steps:

Step 1: Double-check the details. Ensure you've entered the clearance number, name, and date of birth exactly as provided. Small errors can prevent verification.

Step 2: Ask the worker to verify. Contact the worker and ask them to verify their clearance details. They may have given you incorrect information by mistake, or their clearance may have expired without them realizing.

Step 3: Do not proceed with services. Until the clearance is verified, do not allow the worker to provide supports. If they're already providing supports and you discover their clearance isn't valid, immediately suspend services.

Step 4: Report to NDIS Commission if appropriate. If you believe a worker is deliberately misrepresenting their clearance status or continuing to work without valid clearance, this should be reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission via their website or by calling 1800 035 544.

Step 5: Notify your plan manager or support coordinator. If you're plan-managed, inform your plan manager that the worker's clearance cannot be verified. They should not process further payments. If you have a support coordinator, they can help you find alternative workers with valid clearances.

Interstate Clearances and Portability

The NDIS Worker Screening Check is designed to be portable across states, meaning a worker who obtains clearance in one state should be able to work in other states without obtaining multiple clearances.

However, there are some nuances. Each state has its own screening unit that processes checks for workers based in that state. If you're in Victoria and your support worker is based in Queensland, their clearance will have a Queensland number format but should still be verifiable through the national system.

When verifying interstate clearances, the clearance number format will reflect the issuing state (e.g., NSW, VIC, QLD), the verification system works nationally so you can verify any Australian clearance, and the clearance should be valid for work in any state, not just where it was issued.

If you have difficulty verifying an interstate clearance, this doesn't necessarily mean it's invalid—contact the worker to ensure you have the correct details and format for their state's system.

The Participant's Right to Verify

Some participants feel awkward about asking to verify a worker's screening clearance, as if they're implying distrust. But verification is your right and a prudent safety measure—not an accusation.

Legitimate support workers expect participants to verify clearances and will facilitate this process. They understand that participants have been harmed by workers in the past and that verification is a reasonable safeguard. A worker who is offended or defensive about verification is raising red flags.

As a support worker, I proactively provide my clearance details to potential participants before they ask. This demonstrates transparency and saves participants the awkwardness of requesting it. Any professional support worker should do the same.

Special Considerations for Self-Managed Participants

If you're self-managed, you have complete responsibility for verifying your support workers' credentials. The NDIA doesn't verify clearances for you, and unregistered workers aren't subject to NDIS Commission registration requirements.

This means you must be particularly diligent about verification. Create a checklist of what you verify for each worker (clearance number, expiry date, verification date, qualifications verified, insurance verified), keep records of all verifications (screenshots of clearance verifications, copies of certificates, reference contact information), set reminders to re-verify before clearances expire, and don't assume because a worker is providing services to other NDIS participants that their clearances are valid—verify yourself.

The flexibility of self-management comes with responsibility for your own safeguarding. Verification is a critical part of that responsibility.

For Plan-Managed Participants

If you're plan-managed, your plan manager may verify worker clearances before processing payments, but this varies between plan managers. Don't assume your plan manager is verifying clearances—ask explicitly whether they do this as part of their service.

Even if your plan manager verifies clearances, it's still good practice to verify yourself. You're the one inviting this worker into your home and trusting them with intimate care. Taking a minute to verify their clearance yourself provides additional assurance.

What Happens If You Hire a Worker Without Valid Clearance

If you hire a support worker who doesn't have valid NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance, several issues can arise:

Safety risk: You may be at greater risk of harm from a worker who hasn't been screened.

NDIS compliance issues: The NDIS expects participants to use workers with appropriate clearances. While there may not be direct penalties for self-managed participants, it could affect your ability to claim supports if issues arise.

Insurance complications: If an incident occurs and the worker didn't have valid clearance, insurance coverage may be affected.

No recourse through NDIS Commission: The NDIS Commission's complaint and investigation processes primarily apply to registered providers and workers with clearances. If a worker without clearance harms you, your options for recourse through NDIS systems are limited.

The few minutes it takes to verify clearance is worthwhile protection against these risks.

Keeping Your Own Records

When you verify a support worker's clearance, keep documentation:

Screenshot the verification result showing clearance is current, including the date you performed the verification.

Note the expiry date and set a reminder to re-verify 2-3 months before expiry.

Keep copies of other credentials (qualification certificates, insurance certificates, first aid certification).

Document when you checked references and what they said.

If you're self-managed, this documentation demonstrates you've met your due diligence obligations in hiring support workers. If issues arise later, you can show you took reasonable steps to verify the worker's credentials.

Why I Maintain My Clearance (And Why You Should Check It)

As an independent, unregistered support worker in Melbourne's inner south, I'm not legally required to have NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance for all the supports I provide. But I maintain current clearance anyway because it demonstrates my commitment to meeting the same standards as registered providers, it gives participants confidence in my suitability and background, it's a safeguard that protects both me and the people I support, and it signals that I'm serious about professional practice and ethical support work.

I provide my clearance details proactively and expect participants to verify them. When you verify my clearance, you're not questioning my character—you're engaging in smart, responsible safeguarding. That's exactly what participants should do, and I respect it.

If you're interviewing me or any other support worker for personal care, domestic assistance, or community access support, ask for their clearance number and verify it online before you hire them. It takes less than a minute and provides important peace of mind.

Related Resources

• NDIS Commission - Worker Screening including verification tool
• NDIS Provider Search to verify registered providers
• NDIS Commission - Make a Complaint if you have concerns about a worker
• Understanding insurance requirements for support workers
• Contact me for my clearance details and other credentials