Applying for Your NDIS Worker Screening Check in Sydney? Read This First
Applying for Your NDIS Worker Screening Check in Sydney? Read This First
- February 23, 2026
If you are planning to work with people with disability, or you already do, you have probably heard about the NDIS Worker Screening Check and thought: where do I even start?
You are not the only one. The process is manageable once you know what it is, who needs it, and what the steps look like in NSW. Let’s walk through it together, clearly and without the jargon.
What is the NDIS Worker Screening Check?
In NSW, this is called the NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC). You apply through Service NSW.
It is a screening process designed to help keep NDIS participants safe. It looks at information that helps the screening unit decide whether someone is suitable to work in NDIS related roles.
If your application is approved, the clearance is:
• Valid for 5 years
• Portable across Australia, meaning you can generally use it if you change employers or move interstate
Who needs an NDIS Worker Check?
A simple way to think about it is this:
If your role involves working directly with NDIS participants or accessing sensitive participant information, you will likely need the check.
This often includes:
- Support workers
- Therapists and allied health workers
- Support coordinators and plan managers (depending on duties and access)
- Team leaders and supervisors in participant-facing services
- Some volunteers in participant roles
Your employer or the provider you work with should be able to confirm whether your role is considered a “risk assessed role” and requires screening.
The part that surprises people: you usually need an employer link
One key detail that catches people out is that NDIS worker screening applications require an employer or provider connection and verification step.
That means:
- You nominate an employer or provider during the process
- They verify your application in the worker screening system
If you are a sole trader or self-employed, you are treated as both the worker and the provider, so you will need to complete both the application and verification steps.
How to apply in Sydney (step by step)
Here is what the NSW process generally looks like:
1) Start the application online
You apply via Service NSW, typically through your MyServiceNSW account.
2) Prove your identity at a Service NSW Centre
After starting the application, you will be directed to complete identity checks in person at a Service NSW Centre as part of the process.
Important Sydney note: Service NSW has flagged a system upgrade on 11 March 2026, and if someone has started an application, they may need to finalise parts of it in-centre before that date to avoid restarting after the upgrade.
3) Employer verification happens
Your nominated employer or provider verifies you in the system. This step is required before the application can be completed.
4) Assessment and outcome
The screening unit completes the assessment and you receive an outcome (clearance, or information about next steps if there are concerns).
Your clearance and status are recorded in the NDIS Worker Screening Database, which supports national portability.
Can you start work while it is being processed?
This depends on the situation and the provider.
For some roles with registered NDIS providers, there are “work on application” arrangements for certain workers in risk assessed roles, but specific supervision and conditions apply. If this is relevant to you, your provider should talk you through the rules and what they must have in place.
If you are unsure, the safest move is to ask the employer or provider directly before starting shifts.
How is this different from other checks?
The NDIS Worker Check is designed specifically for NDIS work. Depending on your role, you may also need other checks, such as:
- A Working With Children Check
- Professional registration checks (for regulated roles)
If you are applying for multiple roles, it is worth asking each employer what they require.
Tips that make the process easier
These small steps can save time and stress:
• Start early because processing times can vary
• Have your ID ready before you begin the application
• Confirm who will verify you (employer, provider, or yourself if you are a sole trader)
• Keep track of your application status through the same Service NSW pathway you used to apply
• Ask questions upfront if anything is unclear, especially about starting work while your application is in progress
Why it matters (and why it is worth doing properly)
We know this can feel like a lot of admin when you are simply trying to get into meaningful work.
But the screening check is part of how the NDIS builds safety and trust for participants, families and workers. It also helps you, because once you have the clearance, it becomes easier to move between roles and providers without reapplying every time.
Wrapping up
If you are applying in Sydney, focus on the basics:
- Start the application through Service NSW
- Complete the identity steps
- Make sure the employer verification piece is locked in
- Keep an eye on timelines, especially if you are trying to start work soon