Overview
Due to changes to the Aged Care Act, Sidekicker must meet additional screening requirements for workers in aged care and certain healthcare roles.
If you have been a citizen or permanent resident of another country after turning 16, you may need to provide a statutory declaration about your overseas criminal history, in addition to your Australian police check.
This article explains who this applies to, what you need to provide, and how to submit it.
Who needs to provide a statutory declaration?
You will need to provide a statutory declaration if:
You work (or want to work) in aged care or relevant healthcare roles on Sidekicker, and
You have been a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than Australia after turning 16
You do not need to provide a statutory declaration if:
You have only ever been an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and
You have never been a citizen or permanent resident of another country after turning 16
Note: Short trips or holidays overseas usually do not require a statutory declaration. This requirement is focused on whether you have been a citizen or permanent resident of another country. If you’re unsure, contact Sidekicker Support.
What is the statutory declaration for?
The statutory declaration is a legal document where you formally declare:
Your overseas residency history after you turned 16, and
That you have not been convicted of certain serious (“precluding”) offences outside Australia that would prevent you from working in aged care or relevant healthcare roles
Important:
This does not replace your Australian police check; you must still have a valid Australian police check
It specifically covers overseas criminal history that will not appear on an Australian police check
Who needs to witness or sign my statutory declaration?
For your statutory declaration to be valid, it must be:
Completed in full, and
Signed and witnessed by an authorised witness, and
Include their registration number/stamp.
An authorised witness may include:
Justice of the Peace (JP)
Australian lawyer
Police officer
Doctor
Pharmacist
If you are unsure who can witness a statutory declaration in your state or territory, check your local government website.
Can I use a document I already have (for example, from a visa application)?
Many workers who have migrated to Australia may have already completed similar declarations or checks for visa or immigration purposes.
Whether an existing document can be accepted depends on:
Whether it is a statutory declaration
Whether it covers the same type of offences and declarations required for aged care
If you already have a statutory declaration related to your criminal history from a visa or immigration process, you can upload it for review. If it does not meet requirements, you may be asked to complete a new one using the Sidekicker template.
How to complete the statutory declaration
If you have been a citizen or permanent resident of any country other than Australia after turning 16, and you work (or want to work) in aged care or relevant healthcare roles on Sidekicker.
The form is a PDF file that you can edit with your details, print, and have signed by an authorised witness.
What happens if I don’t provide it?
If you are required to provide a statutory declaration and do not:
You may not be able to complete onboarding for healthcare or aged care roles
Your access to certain healthcare or aged care shifts may be paused until your statutory declaration is uploaded and approved
Sidekicker is required by law to meet these screening requirements. Not providing the required documentation may mean you cannot work in specific roles or settings.
Statutory Declaration Checklist
Before submitting, make sure:
You have signed the form
An authorised witness has signed the form
The authorised witness has included their registration number
The authorised witness has applied their official stamp
You still have a valid Australian police check
FAQs
I only went overseas for a holiday. Do I need to do this?
In most cases, no. This requirement is focused on whether you have been a citizen or permanent resident of another country after turning 16, not short-term travel. If you’re unsure, contact Sidekicker Support.
I already have an Australian police check. Why do I need this as well?
The Australian police check only covers your criminal history within Australia. The statutory declaration is required to cover your criminal history (or lack of it) outside Australia.
I have a foreign police check. Is that enough?
A foreign police check may be helpful but it may not meet all requirements. You may still be required to complete a statutory declaration.
Does this apply if I don’t work in aged care?
This requirement applies to Sidekicks working, or wanting to work, in aged care and certain healthcare settings covered by Aged Care Act obligations.
I’m having trouble getting a witness. What should I do?
Check your state or territory government website for a list of authorised JPs