A centralised, consistent and confidential approach to the screening and independent assessment of background information of people working with children or vulnerable adults is provided by the Screening Unit of the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). The unit provides this service to both government and non-government organisations.
The advantages of this system include:
- confidential and comprehensive screening process
- majority of clearance outcomes provided within 5 business days
- independent assessments conducted by experienced staff
- obtaining and assessment of further relevant information
- reduces conflict with applicants
- general clearance letters, where applicable, sent direct to individual applicants
- email notification of clearances to requesting organisations.
The unit’s core objective is to provide a comprehensive screening service for people working with children and vulnerable adults. The unit is an "authorised screening unit" pursuant to the Children's Protection Regulations 2010 and as such is authorised to conduct criminal history assessments on behalf of organisations as provided for by Regulation 6 (1) (b).
However a limited employment probity checking service will also be provided to organisations by prior arrangement. The employment probity check will only involve the assessment of any applicable criminal history. No child protection or other information will be considered in these assessments.
Where the request is for an employment probity check only, please note that a clearance letter will not be provided to the applicant, however an email notification of the clearance will be sent to the requesting organisation. Please ensure Informed Consent Forms are completed correctly with the correct category(s) selected.
For requesting organisations submitting less than 30 applications in any 12 month period applications are to be lodged at Australia Post outlets with bill-paying facilities. This includes the majority of metropolitan and regional centre outlets. Organisations can lodge multiple applications with the one payment if required. To lodge applications at an Australia Post outlet
For requesting organisations which will be submitting more than 30 applications in any 12 month period, applications can be submitted direct to the Unit providing an invoicing account has been approved. To set up an invoicing account please contact the unit on 8207 0601. Organisations will be invoiced for these applications at least every 6 months. To lodge applications through a requesting organisation
Please note that the unit cannot receive any payments direct, these applications will be returned and not processed. Applications received from organisations that do not have an approved invoicing account cannot be processed and will be returned.
The unit is not part of the VOAN scheme and charges a fee for all applications received and processed. The VOAN scheme is administered by SAPOL only. Please see Volunteer Organisation Authorisation Number for further information.
For those applications relating to working with children or vulnerable adults the available background information of each applicant is screened. Background information includes disclosed criminal history information, other relevant information which is lawfully available within DCSI or other government agencies, including relevant child protection information, and publicly available information relating to persons disciplined or precluded from working with children.
A full assessment service is provided including, as required, the obtaining of circumstances information from the police, courts and other prosecution authorities at no further cost. Assessments are conducted by trained and experienced staff in strict confidence and in accordance with legislative requirements and standards. Staff will deal directly with applicants and requesting organisations to clarify information when required.
Final decisions regarding the suitability of persons to work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults are the responsibility of the requesting organisation. These decisions will be based on the assessment and recommendations made by the Screening Unit.
For privacy and confidentiality reasons all applicants are required to have their identification verified by the production of documentary evidence to the minimum standard of the "100 Point Check" as referred to in the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 (Cth).
In the majority of cases, where there is no information regarding the applicant requiring further consideration, the turnaround time from when the unit receives an application to informing the applicant of the outcome is 5 business days.
Where an applicant has a name match or disclosed criminal history final clearances may take at least 4 weeks. For those applicants requiring a detailed assessment finalisation may take several weeks or longer. Applicants are encouraged to submit their screening applications as soon as possible. For further information please contact the Screening Unit.
New customer enquiries to Rebecca Blacker on 8207 0601 or rebecca.blacker@dcsi.sa.gov.au
To lodge applications through a requesting organisation
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