Aged Care Meets NDIS: What the New Screening Rules Mean for Dual Providers

Aged Care Meets NDIS: What the New Screening Rules Mean for Dual Providers

As of 1 November 2025, dual providers operating under both the NDIS and aged care systems must navigate new screening requirements and regulatory changes. This post breaks down what’s new, what’s stayed the same, and how to stay compliant.

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1. Dual Provider Compliance: A Snapshot

• Dual providers continue to operate under both the NDIS Worker Screening and the new Aged Care Act 2024.
• The Aged Care Act 2024 takes effect from 1 November 2025, embedding rights-based protections and updated screening requirements.

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2. Streamlined Worker Screening—for Now

• Dual providers can still accept a valid NDIS Worker Screening Clearance instead of an aged care police check—if the clearance is current.
• However, with the new Act commencing, providers should prepare for future changes: a national Aged Care Worker Screening Check is expected to launch in late 2025 or 2026, with more extensive vetting.

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3. What Happens If a Police Certificate Expires After 1 November 2025?

• If a police certificate expires after 1 November 2025 but before the new screening process is in place (expected in 2026), providers must collect a fresh police certificate that is no older than three years—or a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.

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4. National Screening Reform on the Horizon

• The Productivity Commission has recommended a unified national screening and registration system across aged care, NDIS, childcare, and disability sectors—aimed to replace fragmented checks like police certificates and NDIS checks.

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5. Updated Regulatory Landscape from 1 November 2025

• The new Act introduces a rights-first model, stronger governance, and regulatory oversight, including updated worker risk frameworks.
• Providers must align with enhanced obligations—including screening—tailored to their service complexity and risk levels.

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6. Quick Summary Table

Situation	Requirement
Valid NDIS Clearance	Acceptable for risk-assessed roles until new screening launches
Police Certificate expires post-1 Nov 2025	Must obtain a new one (≤3 years old) or NDIS clearance
New screening regime	Emerging Aged Care Worker Screening Check expected in 2026
Long-term solution	National unified screening scheme (Productivity Commission proposal)

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7. What Dual Providers Need to Do Now

• Continue accepting NDIS clearances where valid—confirm currency.
• Track key expiry dates: any police certificates issued pre-1 Nov 2025 must be renewed if expiring afterwards.
• Prepare for the national Aged Care Worker Screening Check when it rolls out.
• Stay alert: reforms under the Aged Care Act 2024 come into force on 1 November 2025, with implications for screening, governance, and quality standards.
• Watch for announcements—both the Productivity Commission’s unified screening reform and government implementation timelines.