The Worker Orientation Module is the NDIS Commission's short online course for people who work in NDIS supports. This guide is the practical one: how to start it, how to finish it, how to get your certificate, and what to do if something goes wrong. For background on what the course is, read our guide to the NDIS Worker Orientation Module.
The short answer
The module is called Quality, safety and you. You do it online through the Commission's worker training portal. When you finish, you get a certificate of completion that you can download whenever you need it.
We did not see any charge listed on the Commission's pages. The Commission has described the course as taking about 90 minutes, and you can do it in parts. Check the portal for the current length.
What it covers
The Commission says the interactive course explains a worker's obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct. It will help you understand:
- how the NDIS works and the role of the NDIS Commission
- your obligations under the Code, including human rights, respect and risk
- your role in achieving the vision of the NDIS
It is about how to work well with people with disability. It is not a vocational qualification. Our plain-English guide to the NDIS Code of Conduct is a good companion. The glossary also explains the worker orientation module.
Who should do it
The Commission says registered NDIS providers should include the module in their induction process for workers, and encourage existing workers to do it over time.
If you are a sole trader, or if a participant or family hires you directly, the Commission's advice to participants who recruit workers is that new workers should complete it before they start. It is not a replacement for worker screening. See NDIS worker screening check explained.
Step by step
- Open the Commission's worker training modules page (link in the sources below).
- Find Worker orientation module: Quality, safety and you and choose its login link.
- Log in to the worker online learning portal. If you are new, you will need to set up a login first.
- Work through the course at your own pace.
- If you leave and come back, the portal should offer to resume where you stopped.
- When you finish, check that your certificate appears under My Certificates.
- Download the certificate and save a copy somewhere safe. Email a copy to yourself.
Do the course on a device and connection you trust. Keep your login details private.
Getting your certificate later
The Commission says you can find your certificate any time. Log in to the training portal, select My Certificates in the purple section at the top, then download it from the list.
If you need a newer completion date, you can repeat the module. The Commission says you can then get a certificate with a new date.
Employers, participants and some online services may ask for a copy. Goodo asks for it for some badges. See how Goodo verifies people.
If the portal is not working
The Commission's worker training portal page has carried a notice about the portal being unavailable. It says several Australian Government websites were taken offline on 22 October because of a software vulnerability, and that the training portal was affected. It also said the Commission was working on a simplified version of the module on its website.
We cannot tell you the current position. Check that page first. If you need help, the Commission has an online training help request form on its worker training modules page.
Other Commission modules
The Commission offers more than one course. Its page also lists:
- a series of 8 NDIS induction modules for new workers
- Supporting effective communication
- Supporting safe and enjoyable meals
The meals module may matter if you support someone with swallowing difficulties. You do not have to do these to get the orientation certificate.
A quick example
Tom is starting as a sole trader. A participant asks if he has done the orientation module. Tom logs in to the portal and finishes it over two evenings. He downloads the certificate from My Certificates.
He also checks that his worker screening is in place and that he has an ABN and insurance. Our guide on becoming an NDIS support worker lists the full set of steps.
Tips for finishing it
A few habits make the course easier.
- Set aside time. The Commission says you can do the module in parts, but a quiet stretch of time helps you take it in.
- Use real examples. As you go, think about situations from your own work. The course is about how the Code of Conduct applies in daily support.
- Write down questions. If something is unclear, ask your employer, a supervisor or the Commission after you finish.
- Check your name. Use the name you work under, so your certificate matches your other paperwork.
- Save your certificate straight away. Do not wait until someone asks for it.
If you are a participant or family member who hires workers, you can ask a new worker to complete the module before they start. The Commission suggests this in its advice on welcoming a new worker.
Where the module fits
The orientation module is one piece of a larger set of checks and skills. It is not a licence, and it does not replace screening, insurance or experience.
Before you start work, you may also need an NDIS Worker Screening Check, an ABN if you are a sole trader, and insurance. See ABN and insurance for sole trader support workers. Many workers also look at the Commission's Workforce Capability Framework, which describes the attitudes, skills and knowledge expected of NDIS workers.
On Goodo
If you are new to support work and have questions, you can add them to the Goodo list and we will email you when your area opens.
About this guide
Goodo is independent. We are not part of, or endorsed by, the NDIA or the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This is general information, not advice. Rules change, so check ndis.gov.au or call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I do the NDIS Worker Orientation Module?
On the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission's worker online learning portal. Go to the Commission's worker training modules page and use the login link for the Worker Orientation Module: Quality, safety and you.
How do I get my certificate afterwards?
Log in to the Commission's training portal, choose My Certificates in the purple section at the top, find your certificate in the list and download it. You can repeat the module later to get a certificate with a new completion date.
Is the module required for every worker?
The Commission says registered providers should include it in their induction process and encourage existing workers to do it over time. Unregistered workers are still covered by the Code of Conduct, and many participants and employers ask for the certificate.
What if the training portal is not working?
The Commission has posted a notice that the portal was affected by an outage and that a simplified version of the module was being prepared. Check the Commission's worker training portal page for the current position, or use its online training help form.
Does it replace worker screening?
No. The module is training about your duties under the Code of Conduct. An NDIS Worker Screening Check is a separate check run by your state or territory screening unit. Many workers need both.
Sources
Goodo is independent
