Screening validity

Validity

Once an employee starts working for the Department, in most cases, their screening status remains valid unless they have a break-in-service.

For teaching staff a break-in-service is 12 months. This also applies to casual and relief teachers. For non-teaching staff, a break-in-service is considered six months or more.

The only exception is in the case of swimming instructors, exam markers and supervisors, who are employed on short-term contracts during peak seasonal periods. Due to the seasonal nature of their employment, they are allowed to have a break in service of up to 12 months.

If an employee has a break in service, they will need to have a new Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and be cleared before they can be re-employed. People employed solely in a seasonal role need to be screened every three years when engaged in ongoing employment.

Volunteers are not eligible for paid employment using a volunteer ($10.00 concession fee) screening. If a volunteer (including a student who has completed a practicum) gains paid employment with the Department, they will need to get a full criminal history screening ($46.00 fee) before starting the role.

If you are working or volunteering for a TAFE college, non-government or Catholic school, you will need to contact the respective institute directly to ensure your criminal history screening is valid.

Screening validity for the Department of Education
Positions Commencement from clearance date Break-in-service Screening validity

Teachers

12 months

 12 months N/A

Non-teaching staff, for example:

  • AIEOs
  • Cleaners
  • Education assistants
  • Gardeners
  • Managers corporate services
  • Practicum students (TAFE or university)
  • Public servants
  • Residential supervisors
  • School officers
  • School psychologists
 6 months 6 months N/A
  • Canteen managers
  • Chaplains
  • Community groups (for example, out of school hours care, Playgroup WA coordinators)
  • Contractors (21 business days or more)
  • Employees of other agencies
  • Uniform shop managers
  • Volunteers
  • Professional Standards & Conduct division staff
  • Senior officers Level 9 (or equivalent) and above
 6 months 6 months 3 years
  • Exam markers/invigilators
  • School board/council members
  • Swimming instructors
 6 months 12 months 3 years
  • Nurses
  • NDIS employees
 N/A N/A N/A

Note:

  • Nurses employed by Department of Health do not require Department of Education criminal history screening.

  • Employees of other agencies who have a current NDIS Worker Screening Check do not require Department of Education criminal history screening.

For more information please refer to appendices A and B of the Criminal History Screening for Department of Education Sites Procedures, which support the Criminal History Screening for Department of Education Sites Policy.