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Disability carers

Important information for disability service providers

People providing regulated disability services to children and young people are screened by the Commission.

If people work with both children and adults, and are engaged by a service provider funded under the Disability Services Act 2006, they can use their blue card for both services, but must also apply for a yellow card exemption. Yellow card exemptions are issued by the Department of Communities.

• Application process for disability service providers

The Commission has created specific blue card application forms for disability service providers in order to simplify the process for applying for a blue card and yellow card exemption. Please click here to go to the disability service providers forms page.

My niece is a child with a disability.  Sometimes I help her dress or assist her with personal hygiene – do I need a blue card?

No.

You do not need a blue card if you are providing personal care under a private arrangement to assist family and friends. 

I have a formal agreement to provide personal care, including help with dressing and assistance with personal hygiene, to a child with a disability. Do I need a blue card?

Yes, unless an exemption applies.

If you have an agreement (paid or voluntary) to provide services on a professional or commercial basis, or as part of an employment arrangement, then you will need a blue card under the 'health, counselling and support services' category of regulated employment, unless an exemption applies.

Please note, if you are a paid employee you would need to be providing the service for at least:

• eight consecutive days; or
• once a week, each week, over four weeks; or
• once a fortnight, each fortnight, over eight weeks; or
• once a month, each month, over six months

to be screened.

Please refer to the 'health, counselling and support services' category of regulated employment for further information about exemptions.

Please click here for information about the application process for disability service providers.

Please note, as a paid employee you are able to commence work after you have lodged your application with the Commission.

I am a disability services worker and provide support services to children with a disability. Do I need a blue card?

Yes.

Under the ‘health, counselling and support services’ category of regulated employment, paid employees who provide, or are likely to provide, support services to children for at least:

• eight consecutive days; or
• once a week, each week, over four weeks; or
• once a fortnight, each fortnight, over eight weeks; or
• once a month, each month, over six months

are required to have a blue card.

I work with adults and children with a disability, do I need a blue card and a yellow card?

You will be required to hold a valid blue card and a yellow card exemption.

Please click here for information about the application process for disability service providers.

I already have a blue card, can I apply to the Commission for a yellow card exemption?

No.

If you already hold a blue card, you should apply directly to the Department of Communities for your yellow card exemption.

Please contact them on 1800 183 690.

 

Last updated: 28 June, 2011

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