NDIS Worker Screening and Blue Card

Throughout their Doctor of Medicine program, students will participate in clinical placements involving children and individuals with disabilities. As a mandatory prerequisite for program commencement, students are required to obtain both a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Clearance and a Working with Children Check (Blue Card).You can apply for both checks at the same time on a combined application.

Combined applications are submitted through Disability Worker Screening. Please note that combined applications cannot be submitted to Blue Card Services directly.

If you make a combined application and both checks are approved, your Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening card will have an expiry of 5 years.

It is essential to emphasise that maintaining a valid clearance is your responsibility throughout the program. Under the "No Card, No Start" law, it is unlawful to commence or continue your placement without the required clearance.

Attempting to obtain a Disability Worker Screening Clearance and a Blue Card while being a disqualified individual constitutes an offense, and legal penalties may be consequently imposed.

Cost & Timeframe

The NDIS Worker Screening Clearance serves the purpose of assessing an individual’s suitability for specific roles involving individuals with disabilities. It is also a continuous evaluation of your eligibility to work with people with disabilities during your placement. This system replaces the existing ‘yellow card’ and ‘yellow card exemption’ screening provisions.

Information on the Working with Children Check (Blue Card), can be found on our Blue Card website.

How much will a combined application cost?

As students are classed as volunteers, there is no fee to apply for a combined NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and Blue Card.

How long will the application take?

The application process can take 4-8 weeks, so students are advised to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays.

How to submit a Combined Application

Step 1: Obtain a CRN

You will need a Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer reference number (CRN) to prove your identity when registering for a Disability Worker Screening account.

You can find your customer reference number in the top right area on the front of a range of TMR products including a Queensland driver’s license or proof of age card.

Example

If you don’t already have a Queensland TMR customer reference number, you will need to obtain one before you can progress your application. To obtain a TMR customer reference number, check which identity and Queensland residential address documents you will need, then take these documents to a TMR centre in person and request a customer reference number.

You must attend a TMR centre in person. If you are a student who is currently offshore and unable to return to Brisbane, it is possible to apply for a CRN using a Remote Pack, however this is a lengthy process. Please see this page for further instructions on how to apply for a CRN using the Remote Pack if this applies to you. Obtaining a CRN is the same process whether you are applying for a Blue Card or a Disability Worker Screening Clearance.

Step 2: Register for a Disability Worker Screening account

Once you have your CRN, you will need it to register online for a Disability Worker Screening account. You can register here for a Disability Worker Screening account.

Step 3: Apply for your combined check via the portal

Once you have registered online for a Disability Worker Screening account, you will need to login to the Worker Screening Portal and apply for your combined check. You can login to the Worker Screening Portal here.

Step 3.1 - Application Type

In Section 1 of your application, under Application Type, you will need to select 'I am applying for a Disability Worker Screening Check AND a Working with Children Check (Blue Card)'.

As part of the application process (Section 5 – Employer Details) you will be asked to confirm your purpose and role relevant to applying for a Disability Worker Screening Clearance as well as the name of your Employer/Placement Provider.

Step 3.2 – Purpose and Role

Primary purpose please select: Volunteer and
For primary area of service delivery please select: NDIS Improved Health & Wellbeing

Step 3.3

Next you need to add your ‘employer’. You should nominate The University of Queensland (Employer ID 4-433C-2267) as your employer.

Step 4: Submit your application and upload your Blue Card account number to the Placements System

After completing your application please submit it. Upon obtaining your NDIS Worker Screening Clearance they will transfer your application to Blue Card Services to process your Blue Card. Once processes, you will be issued a Blue Card account number, which must be associated or linked to the University of Queensland. Kindly upload this number to the designated attribute in the Placements System, and we will proceed with linking you to the University.

Your Disability Worker Screening Card and Blue Card will be dispatched to the address you have specified. Furthermore, the University of Queensland will be notified when your application has been officially approved. There is no additional action required on your part.

FAQs

Q: I already hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. Do I need a Blue Card?

A: Yes, if you have already applied for or possess an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, you must separately apply for a Blue Card. To do so, you will need to complete a specific form designed to confirm your disability clearance application or card details to Blue Card Services. You can access this form here.

Q: I already have a valid Blue Card. Do I need a NDIS Disability Worker Screening Clearance?

A: Yes, If you already have an existing Blue Card, you will need to apply for a NDIS Worker Screening Clearance on its own. Please follow the steps outlined above, however under Application Type, please select 'I am applying for a NDIS Worker Screening ONLY'.

Q: I have an existing yellow card. What do I need to do?

A: If you already have a valid yellow card, you won’t need to get a Disability Worker Screening check straight away. You can keep using your existing card until it expires, is suspended, or is cancelled.
You can apply for a Disability Worker Screening check up to three months before the expiry of your yellow card or yellow card exemption.

However, if you also need a Blue Card, we recommend you submit a combined application as outlined in the tab above.

Q: Can I work while my application is processing?

A: Queensland has passed legislation to support a no card, no start approach for both the Disability Worker, and Blue Card screening. This means that people who are required to be screened must have a clearance before they can start their placements. If you hold a current Blue Card and Yellow Card Exemption, you can continue to work until your card expires or is cancelled.

Q: Who do I update my contact details with?

A: If your contact details change, you must update both Disability Services and Blue Card Services with these changes