Disability carers
Important information for disability service providers
People providing regulated disability services to children and young people will require a blue card, unless an exemption applies.
If you work with both children and adults, and you are engaged by a service provider funded under the Disability Services Act 2006, you can use your blue card for both services, but must also apply for a yellow card exemption. Yellow card exemptions are issued by the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors.
Read more about the application process for disability service providers (PDF, 287KB).
For assistance in determining the correct form requirements for particular employment scenarios, please refer to the Screening scenarios for persons engaged in disability services information sheet (PDF, 227KB).
Access the relevant application forms for disability service providers.
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
are required to have a blue card, unless an exemption applies.
Please refer to the 'Health, counselling and support services' category of regulated employment for further information about exemptions.
Read more about the application process for disability service providers (PDF, 287KB).
Access the relevant application forms for disability service providers.
Please note, paid employees who require a blue card or exemption card can commence regulated child-related work once they have lodged an application with Blue Card Services and while their application is being processed.I am a disability services worker and provide support services to children with a disability. Do I need a blue card?
Yes, unless an exemption applies. 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, unless an exemption applies.
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.
Read more about the application process for disability service providers.
Access the relevant application forms for disability service providers.
I already have a blue card, can I apply to Blue Card Services for a yellow card exemption?
No. If you already hold a blue card, you should apply directly to the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors for your yellow card exemption.
Last Updated: 24 January, 2019
