Starting out
Screening checks before your first shift: aged care, disability and childcare
In care and childcare, the paperwork comes before the work. Here’s which check applies to which job, and when you can start.
If your job involves older people, people with disability or children, expect a screening check before you start, and sometimes before you can do a paid trial. Which check depends on the sector and the state.
Aged care
Under the Aged Care Act 2024, in force from 1 November 2025, all aged care workers and responsible persons need either a police certificate issued within the last three years or an NDIS Worker Screening Check. This covers more than direct care: it includes staff and contractors of registered providers.
Disability support (NDIS)
Registered NDIS providers must make sure workers in risk-assessed roles, such as those with more than incidental contact with participants, hold an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance before they start. Some states allow “working on application” while the check is processed, but only with a written risk management plan and constant supervision by someone who holds a clearance.
Working with children
| State | Rule |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Generally yes, with your application number. Not in early childhood education and care, teaching or NSW Health, where you need the clearance first. |
| Victoria | In many cases yes, while your application is being processed. Employers may still ask for the clearance. |
| Other states and territories | Rules differ. Check with your state’s screening agency. |
Questions to ask before you accept
- Is the role casual, part-time or full-time?
- Which award covers it, and what is my classification?
- Which screening checks do you need, and who pays for them?
- How are rosters set, and how much notice do I get?
- Can I see the workplace and meet the team first?
Sources
- Screening requirements for the aged care workforceDepartment of Health, Disability and Ageing, accessed 2026
- Worker screening for registered providersNDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, accessed 2026
- WWCC statusOffice of the Children’s Guardian NSW, accessed 2026
- What happens nextWorking with Children Check Victoria, accessed 2026
- Job mobility, February 2026Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice. We checked the figures against these sources on 25 September 2026. Rules and rates change, so check the official source for your situation.