--- title: Aged Care – Screening requirements description: "### *Including Key Reforms Effective 1 November 2025* If you intend to work — paid or voluntary — in an aged care setting, you must complete screening clearances. These checks safeguard the safety and wellbeing of people accessing aged care.…" url: "https://workerchecks.com/docs/aged-care/" updated: "2026-01-15" category: Industries --- # Aged Care – Screening requirements ### *Including Key Reforms Effective 1 November 2025* If you intend to work — paid or voluntary — in an aged care setting, you must complete screening clearances. These checks safeguard the safety and wellbeing of people accessing aged care. This article outlines the **current requirements**, the **screening types**, **what counts**, and introduces the **significant regulatory changes** coming into effect from **1 November 2025**. --- ### 🧩 **About Aged Care Screening Checks** Screening in aged care assesses: - a person’s **criminal history**, and - where relevant, their **work-misconduct history** This ensures you’re suitable for roles that involve older or vulnerable people in residential, in-home or community care settings. --- ### 🪪 **Types of Screening Used in Aged Care** #### **1. Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)** Formerly known as a **Nationally Police Check**, or simply “police certificate.” It shows your criminal history status across all Australian jurisdictions. #### **2. NDIS Worker Screening Check** This check is required when you’re in a **risk-assessed role** (especially supporting people with disability), or in an aged care service that also supports NDIS participants. It covers criminal history, reportable incidents, and relevant disciplinary proceedings. --- ### 🎯 **What’s Changing on 1 November 2025** As of **1 November 2025**, under the new Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025, there are some important changes for aged care worker screening. *[(Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission reference)](https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/aged-care-worker-screening-guidance-material_0.pdf?)* Key changes include: - The definition of an **‘aged care worker’** and a **‘responsible person’** expands — meaning more roles will be captured under screening obligations. - Screening requirements now apply to workers and responsible persons engaged by a registered provider, including associated providers and digital platform workers. - For many roles, you’ll need **either** a police certificate **less than 3 years old** that does not include certain precluding offences, **or** a valid NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. - Stronger record-keeping obligations: providers must keep proof of each worker’s certificate or clearance, and if applicable a statutory declaration for overseas residency if the person was a citizen or permanent resident in another country after turning 16. - Transitional arrangements: Workers can continue with existing police checks until expiry, but providers must be ready for the new screening regime. - **Future reform**: From **mid-2026 or later**, a unified national aged care worker screening check (aligned to NDIS screening) is being developed. For now, from November 2025, these are incremental changes. - Refernces: *([Health, Disability and Ageing+1](https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care-workforce/screening-requirements))* --- ### ⚖️ **Current vs New Requirements (at a glance)** | **Before 1 Nov 2025** | **From 1 Nov 2025** | | --- | --- | | Existing definitions of aged care worker and responsible person. | Expanded definitions under the new Act and Rules. | | Many roles accepted a police certificate or NDIS check depending on provider. | Clear rule: each worker/responsible person must hold either a police certificate < 3 years old (with no excluded offences) or a valid NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. | | Record-keeping obligations: provider must hold proof of screening. | Stronger record-keeping: must hold evidence, statutory declaration if required, and must act if a precluding offence occurs. | | Screening regime separated for NDIS and aged care in many cases. | From 1 Nov 2025, move toward consistency and recognition between aged care and NDIS screening. | | Future unified screening expected but no set start date. | Transitional arrangements in place, unified screening expected from mid-2026. | --- ### 💼 **What This Means for You (Worker)** - If you’re already working in aged care: **Check your certificate or clearance** is valid, up-to-date, and the provider has your details linked. - If you’re seeking aged care work: Be aware your role may now fall under the updated definitions — talk to your provider about which check you need. - If you’ve lived overseas after age 16 or are a permanent resident: You may need to provide a **statutory declaration** in addition to your screening certificate. - These changes aim to make screening more consistent across aged care and disability sectors — meaning fewer separate checks when you move between sectors. --- ### 🌍 **What This Means for Providers** - Review your workforce to ensure all workers and responsible persons meet the criteria **by 1 November 2025**. - Make sure your record-keeping systems capture screening certificates/clearances, expiry dates, and statutory declarations where required. - Communicate to your workforce about the upcoming definitions and screening obligations. - Monitor the development of the unified screening check (beyond November 2025) to be ready for the next phase. --- ### 🔗 **Related Worker Checks Services** - **[Nationally Coodinated Criminal History Check](https://workerchecks.com/product/nationally-coordinated-criminal-history-check/)** (ACIC-accredited) — for general screening in aged care. - **NDIS Worker Screening Check** — recognised for aged care roles that support NDIS participants. - **[Support Worker Plan](https://workerchecks.com/product-category/support-worker-plans/)** — tailored compliance package including multiple checks for aged care workers. ## Still Need Help? 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