NDIS Worker Screening and Blue Card

During their program, Doctor of Medicine students will undertake placements with children and people living with disabilities. As such, you will require both a NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, and a Working with Children Check (Blue Card) prior to commencing your program.

You can apply for both cards at the same time on a combined application.

Combined applications are submitted through Disability Worker Screening. 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.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to hold a valid clearance for the duration of your placement. If you are required to hold a valid clearance, it is against the law for you to commence or continue your placement without one under the No Card, No Start law.

If you are a disqualified person, it is an offence to apply for a Disability Worker Screening Clearance and Blue Card and penalties may apply.

Cost & Timeframe

The NDIS Worker Screening Clearance determines whether a person is cleared or excluded from working in certain roles with people with disability. It is also an ongoing assessment of your eligibility to work with people with disabilities while you are on 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

Select Volunteer and
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

Submit your application. Once you have received your clearance, they will forward your application to Blue Card Services to process your Blue Card. They will then provide you a Blue Card account number that needs to be linked to the University of Queensland. Please upload this number to the correct attribute in the Placements System, and we will link you to the University.

Your Disability Worker Screening Card and Blue Card will be mailed to your nominated address. UQ will also be notified when your application has been approved so there is nothing further for you to do.

FAQs

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

Yes. If you already applied for - or hold - an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, you will need to apply for a Blue Card on its own. You will need to use a special form to provide confirmation of your disability clearance application or card details to Blue Card Services. You can find this form here.

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

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'.

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

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.

Can I work while my application is processing?

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.

Who do I update my contact details with?

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