Police checks for aged care workers
All new aged care workers and volunteers will be required to undergo
police checks from today (1 March, 2007) to ascertain their suitability
to work with frail elderly Australians.
The checks would then be implemented progressively for existing staff
and volunteers in aged care throughout this year.
Any person with a conviction for murder or sexual assault, or a
conviction for any other form of assault which resulted in a prison
sentence, will automatically be precluded from working in aged
care.
Refusal to obtain a police certificate will also preclude a person
from employment in aged care.
In the case of less-serious convictions, aged care providers are now
required to consider factors such as the position held by the employee
and the extent of contact with residents when making decisions about
hiring staff.
For more information visit www.health.gov.au/OACQC