How to Onboard a New NDIS Support Worker — A Compliance Checklist

Before They Start — Pre-Employment Checks

These must be completed before a new worker has unsupervised contact with NDIS participants:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check. Mandatory for all workers in risk-assessed roles under the NDIS. Must be current and registered in the NDIS Worker Screening Database. Check the clearance status through the portal before the start date — not after.
• Working With Children Check (WWCC). Required if the worker will have contact with participants under 18. State/territory-specific — check the correct authority for your jurisdiction.
• National Police Check. Some providers require this in addition to the NDIS screening check. Review your policy and the specific participant support requirements.
• Reference checks. At least two professional references, documented in the worker's file.
• Right to work verification. Passport, visa, or citizenship documentation. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
• First aid certificate. Required for most support roles. Verify it is current and from a registered training organisation (RTO).
• Driver's licence. If the role involves transporting participants, verify the licence class and check it covers passenger transport where required.

Day One — Induction Essentials

• NDIS Code of Conduct training. All workers must complete this before working with NDIS participants. The NDIS Commission provides free e-learning modules at ndiscommission.gov.au. Record completion and store the certificate.
• Worker Orientation Module. The NDIS Commission's "Quality, Safety and You" module is required for all new NDIS workers. Free online, takes approximately 90 minutes.
• Organisational policies and procedures. Rights and responsibilities, incident reporting, complaints, safeguarding, privacy, emergency procedures. Worker must sign to confirm they have read and understood each policy.
• Participant introduction. Brief the new worker on each participant they will support — support plan summary, medical alerts, behaviour support plan, communication style, preferences and routines. Never send a new worker to a participant without this briefing.
• System access. Set up their account in the care management system. Confirm they can access shift schedules, clock in and out, write notes, and record medications before their first shift.

Week One — Supervised Period

New workers should work alongside experienced staff for at least the first week. Document the supervised shifts and who provided the supervision. This is evidence of your induction process for audit purposes.

• Observe participant-specific care routines
• Practice completing shift notes and compliance forms
• Complete medication administration sign-off if the role requires it
• Learn manual handling requirements specific to each participant
• Review and confirm understanding of each participant's behaviour support plan

Within the First Month — Mandatory Training

Depending on the supports the worker will deliver, additional mandatory training may apply:

• Manual handling and moving and assisting — required before assisting with transfers
• Medication administration — required before administering any medications
• Positive behaviour support — required for workers supporting participants with a behaviour support plan
• Emergency procedures (fire evacuation, first response)
• Infection control
• Mealtime management — required for participants with swallowing difficulties or dietary restrictions

All training must be recorded with dates, trainer details, and certificates stored in the worker's personnel file.

Ongoing — What Must Be Maintained

• NDIS Worker Screening Check renewal (check expiry — typically 5 years)
• First aid certificate renewal (typically every 3 years)
• CPR renewal (typically every 12 months)
• WWCC renewal (state/territory dependent)
• Annual performance review and training needs assessment
• Updated police check if required by policy (typically every 3 years)

The Documentation You Need to Keep on File

For each worker, maintain a personnel file with:

• Signed employment contract
• NDIS Worker Screening clearance confirmation
• WWCC certificate (if applicable)
• Right to work documentation
• NDIS Code of Conduct training completion certificate
• Worker Orientation Module completion certificate
• Signed policy acknowledgements
• All qualification certificates with expiry dates
• Induction checklist signed by worker and supervisor
• Ongoing training records

During a certification audit, auditors will request personnel files for a sample of workers. If records are incomplete, this is a non-conformance against the NDIS Practice Standards.