Blue cards for disability work

You will need a blue card if you will be providing disability services to a child or children with disability.

Employees and volunteers

If you are engaged, or propose to be engaged, by a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service provider or state-funded service provider to undertake disability work in Queensland, in addition to the blue card to work with children, you will also need an NDIS or Queensland disability worker clearance.

Examples

A blue card is needed if you:

• provide disability services to a child with disability. For example, if you are providing accommodation support services or respite care to a child with a disability, a blue card is required.
• carry out risk-assessed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) work for an NDIS service provider in relation to a child with disability. For example, if you are working for an NDIS provider and your role requires you to physically touch a child, a blue card is required.

A blue card is not needed for:

• a person with disability who is employed at a place where they also receive NDIS supports/services or other disability services
• a secondary school student on work experience who carries out disability-related work under the direct supervision of a person who holds a blue or exemption card
• a volunteer who is a relative of a person who receives NDIS supports/services or other disability services, and is only at the place to help with the care of that person
• a person working in the aged care sector with no involvement with children.
• a person who only provides disability support to adults.

Business owners and operators

You will need a blue card if your business provides disability services or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports or services to a child with disability.

Examples

A blue card is needed if you:

• operate a business that provides disability services such as respite services to a 13 year old child.
• own a business that provides support, such as support for developmental delays, to a 10 year old child under the NDIS scheme.

A blue card is not needed if you:

• operate a business that only provides disability services to adults
• operate a business that only provides services to aged care.

How to apply

Individuals working with children with a disability can apply for both a blue or exemption card, and a disability worker screening clearance using the combined application through the Disability Worker Screening website.

Make a combined application

Once a combined application is lodged, Disability Worker Screening will process the disability application first and advise the individual and Blue Card Services of the outcome. Once an outcome is received, Blue Card Services will process the blue or exemption card component.

If both checks are approved, the blue or exemption card will have the same expiry date as the NDIS or Queensland disability worker clearance.

Existing Worker Screening clearance holders

Individuals who have already applied for—or hold—an NDIS or Queensland Disability Worker Screening clearance, and also need a blue or exemption card can apply using the:

• Blue card application or renewal for disability service workers—this includes volunteer card holders changing to paid employment. Before submitting this form, a fee must be included on the form.
• Exemption card application or renewal for disability service workers—for Queensland registered teachers and police officers.

More information

• Fact sheet: Disability workers screening information
• Linking an NDIS provider
• Processing timeframes for combined applications
• Application fees for combined applications
• Read about executive officers and board or committee members
• Understand linking requirements for organisations.
• Check when you don’t need a blue card.
• Check who cannot apply for or hold a blue card.
• Learn how to apply for a blue or exemption card.