Combined disability worker screening and blue card application
Under the No Card, No Start laws you must have a valid blue card (or be notified of approval) before you can start working in regulated child-related work or provide certain disability services.
If you are engaged—or propose to be engaged—by an NDIS service provider or state-funded service provider to undertake disability work in Queensland, you will need either:
- a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker screening clearance to provide NDIS supports and services, or
- a Queensland disability worker screening clearance to provide non-NDIS related disability services.
However, to work with children with disability you will also need a blue or exemption card.
How to apply
If you need a combined disability worker screening clearance and blue or exemption card
If you will be working with children and need both:
- an NDIS or Queensland disability worker screening clearance, and
- a blue or exemption card
you can apply for both at the same time.
If you prefer to complete your application offline, you can download the Disability worker screening and working with children check application form (PDF) instead.
If both checks are approved, your blue or exemption card will have the same expiry date as your NDIS or Queensland disability worker clearance.
If you make a combined application, Disability Services will process your disability worker screening application first and will then advise you of the outcome. Once Disability Services approves your application, Blue Card Services will then process your blue or exemption card application.
If you have not received an outcome about your disability worker screening clearance from Disability Services, please contact them for an update.
If you already have a disability worker screening clearance
If you will be working with children and you have already applied for—or hold—an NDIS or Queensland disability worker screening clearance, please use the following forms to apply for a blue or exemption card:
- Blue card application or renewal for disability service workers—this includes volunteer card holders changing to paid employment.
- Exemption card application or renewal for disability service workers—for registered teachers and police officers.
Application fees
Find out about the fees for these applications.
Processing times
Processing timeframes for combined applications are available on the Disability Worker Screening website.
Find out more about the application processing times for combined applications and blue or exemption card applications.
Linking requirements for a relevant person
If you are an NDIS self-employed/business operator who provides NDIS supports and services to a child, a relevant person is entitled to be notified about your blue or exemption card status. A relevant person includes the child receiving the supports or services, the child’s parent or the child’s plan manager.
A relevant person seeking to link an NDIS self-employed/business operator needs to complete a Link an NDIS self-employed/business operator form.
We also have a printable Disability workers screening information fact sheet to help you.