The Department of Health has confirmed it will recognise NDIS Worker Screening clearances for Aged Care providers that are also registered NDIS providers.

This change is effective from 16 June 2021, with necessary changes made to aged care legislation to recognise NDIS Worker Screening clearances, removing the need for separate police checks and clearances to be obtained for NDIS providers also delivering Aged Care.

Reduced regulatory burden

These changes reduce the regulatory burden on providers who are required to operate within dual regulatory frameworks for the NDIS and Aged Care.

As of February 1st, 2021, the NDIS worker screening requirements were implemented, superseding national police checks and broadening the scope of historical information pertinent to the delivery of services to the vulnerable.

With NDIS Worker Screening taking a more in-depth assessment of the suitability of staff and volunteers to perform risk assessed roles, the application of these clearances across both the NDIS and Aged Care reduces time and cost in managing two separate clearances, while ensuring best practice in consumer protection.

What clearance should you ask for?

For aged care providers that became registered NDIS providers on 1 December 2020, you can accept the following for workers in risk assessed roles supporting NDIS participants:

• evidence of an NDIS worker screening clearance obtained in the last five years, if a new staff member or volunteer already holds one (that is if they moved from a risk assessed role supporting NDIS participants), or
• a police certificate, if it was issued before 1 February 2021 and is still current. To learn more about the changes to NDIS Worker Screening Requirements and the transitional period, see this article from our partner, SoCom Consulting here.

For all other workers, you should continue to ask for a police certificate unless they hold an existing NDIS Worker Screening clearance.

Aged Care Providers who are NOT NDIS Providers

The above clearances still apply.  Where you are taking on a new staff member or volunteer who has previously worked for an NDIS Provider and has an NDIS Worker Screening clearance, you can verify this clearance as follows:

Your responsibility under aged care legislation is the same whether a worker has an NDIS worker screening clearance or a police certificate. This includes you being satisfied that the worker holds a legitimate clearance and maintaining a record of the clearance.

For more information on the changes to worker screening requirements in aged care, click here.

KLR Communications, in conjunction with SoCom Consulting advises on new NDIS and Aged Care Provider applications and compliance. To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.

The Queensland Government has released the eligibility and application guidelines for the $5,000 Business Basics Grant which opens on 31 May 2021.

How can KLR Communications help you?

KLR Communications is a strategic marketing and business development advisory. Under this program, we can assist applicants to:
• scope and deliver training and coaching programs;
• develop strategic business and marketing plans; and
• build new websites, including content writing and SEO

To discuss how your business can get the most out of this grant opportunity and to receive a compliant quote for inclusion in your application, contact us.

Please note: Applications must be submitted by the organisation itself, not by an agent or consultant. This is due to you entering a legal agreement with the Queensland Government.

Eligible Activities

Grants are available to deliver eligible activities, as follows:

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of the grant program are to: 

• Increase confidence for business owners across core skills;
• Boost turnover, profit, and employment; and
• Improve business survivability and resilience.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for this grant, businesses must:

• have fewer than 20 employees (by head count) at the time of applying for the grant;
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST;
• have a Queensland headquarters;
• have an expected turnover of $300,000 or less for the current financial year; and
• have owners/directors that are not insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt.

Approved applicants must complete their grant funded activity within four months of receiving their approval letter.

For more information on the Business Basics Grant Program and the documentation required to be provided, click here.