Students undertaking placement working with people living with disability must have a current NDIS or Queensland Disability Worker Screening Clearance Card, if required by the relevant placement provider.
As of February 2021, a new worker screening process commenced for newly engaged workers and volunteers who provide supports and services to people living with disability delivered through an NDIS registered provider or a state-funded provider. This worker screening process replaces the yellow card and yellow card exemption.
Queensland Government Disability Worker Screening administers the screening process to ensure that individuals are suitable to work with people living with disability.
The disability worker screening process aims to improve the safety and quality of services delivered to people living with disability.
The disability worker screening is relevant for students on placement, as required by their placement providers.
If you already hold a valid yellow card or yellow card exemption, you won’t need to get an NDIS worker screening check straight away. The existing card can be used until it expires, is suspended, or is cancelled.
You should only apply for a disability worker screening clearance if your placement provider requires it. It is the responsibility of your placement provider to know whether a student requires a clearance for the role they will be undertaking.
Under the law, you are required to hold a valid clearance prior to commencing your placement under Queensland’s ‘no card, no start’ approach to disability worker screening.
It is your responsibility to hold a valid clearance for the duration of your placement.
If you are required to hold both a disability worker screening clearance and a blue card, we ask that you apply for both clearances separately. Please follow the Blue Card instructions for USC students if you are required to hold this clearance.
- Register online for a Disability Worker Screening account – you will need to validate your identity using a Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads product (e.g. Drivers licence).
- Login to the Queensland Disability Worker Screening portal to apply for your screening clearance.
- Complete the relevant information in the online form.
- When you reach section 3 (Assessment Details), you will be asked about the primary purpose for your clearance and the primary area of service delivery. Select the below options.
- Primary purpose: Volunteer
- Primary area of service delivery: Select the most relevant option for your specific placement. In most cases, 'NDIS Improved Health and Wellbeing' will be most relevant.
- When you reach section 5 (Employer Details), you will be asked about your employer details. Please input the below information.
- Employer details: In the 'Employer name' field, nominate the University of the Sunshine Coast as your employer. This will ensure USC is notified when your application has been approved.
- When you reach section 3 (Assessment Details), you will be asked about the primary purpose for your clearance and the primary area of service delivery. Select the below options.
- Submit your application and NDIS will initiate your screening based on the information provided. Your disability worker screening card will be mailed to your nominated address and USC will be notified when your application has been approved.