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 6 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:
| 6 months | 6 months | N/A |
| 6 months | 6 months | 3 years |
| 6 months | 12 months | 3 years |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note:
- Nurses employed by Department of Health do not require Department of Education criminal history screening.
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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.