Background Checks & Clearances
How to get the three checks Australian employers ask for most — a police check, a Working With Children Check, and an NDIS screening — explained step by step, with the official place to apply.
A plain-English walkthrough of the three checks employers ask for most. Fees and timeframes change, so always confirm on the official government site linked in each card before you apply.
National Police Check
A search of your Australian criminal history records. It's common for jobs in aged care, disability support, childcare, healthcare, and government — and for some visas. It's a one-off certificate, not a licence, so it belongs to you once issued.
- Ask your employer which type they need — a standard check is usually fine, but some roles need a specific one.
- Gather your identity documents (passport, driver licence, Medicare card). Most applications want "100 points of ID".
- Apply online through an accredited provider or your state police — many employers organise and pay for it.
- Expect to pay roughly $40–$60 unless your employer covers it.
- Results usually arrive by email within a few days to a few weeks.
Working With Children Check
Needed for paid or volunteer work with children — childcare, school roles, coaching, youth programs. Each state and territory runs its own scheme with its own name and application. A check from one state generally doesn't transfer to another, and most last around 3–5 years before renewal.
- Find your state or territory below — that is the only official place to apply.
- Have your identity documents ready (most applications are online).
- Pay the fee — volunteer checks are often free or cheaper than paid-work checks.
- You will usually get a reference number straight away; the clearance follows after the check completes.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
The check you need to work with NDIS participants (disability support work). It's one national check, but you apply through your state or territory's screening portal — and your employer usually starts the application by verifying the role, so ask them first before applying yourself.
- Confirm with your employer that they have registered the role in the NDIS Worker Screening database.
- Apply through your state or territory screening portal, with your identity documents ready.
- Fees are roughly $80–$115 depending on the state, and the clearance generally lasts up to 5 years.
- Once approved, keep your clearance number safe — employers verify it, not the card itself.
Good to know: employers often pay for these checks, so always ask before you spend your own money. Once your certificate arrives, save its expiry date under "My reminders" — Walaal will email you before it runs out.
This is general information only. Walaal is not a screening provider — fees, timeframes, and requirements change, so the linked government sites are the source of truth.
Don't let your new check quietly expire
Save its expiry date in Walaal and we'll email you before it runs out — free, and we never store the document itself.