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Healthcare Statutory Declaration Requirements

Updated over a week ago

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 or upload, and how to complete it, including an easier digital option through myGov.

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

How can I complete a statutory declaration?

There are now two valid ways to complete your statutory declaration:

1. Digital statutory declaration via myGov (recommended if eligible)

You can create and download a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration using your myGov account and Digital ID — without needing a witness in person.

To do this:

  1. Create a myGov account if you don’t have one

  2. Set up a Digital ID and link it to your myGov account

  3. Sign in to myGov using your Digital ID

  4. Complete the declaration online

  5. Sign the document digitally

  6. Download and save the PDF to your device

  7. Upload the PDF to Sidekicker

Declaration
​
​What are you declaring?

  1. I am engaged, or seeking to be engaged, to perform work as an aged care worker.

  2. I declare that I have not been convicted of, nor am I subject to, any precluding offences that would disqualify me from working in aged care. Precluding offences include conviction for murder, sexual assault or imprisonment for any other form of assault.

  3. I understand that this statutory declaration is provided for the purpose of aged care worker screening and does not replace the requirement to provide a valid police check or NDIS Worker Screening Clearance.

  4. I understand that making a false or misleading statement in this statutory declaration is a serious offence under Australian law.
    ​

Benefits of the digital option:

  • No need to find an authorised witness in person

  • Faster and easier to complete

2. Traditional paper statutory declaration (with witness)

If you prefer not to use myGov or do not have a Digital ID, you can complete a traditional statutory declaration:

  1. Download the Sidekicker Statutory Declaration Form

  2. Fill in all required details

  3. Sign in front of an authorised witness

  4. Have the authorised witness sign, provide their registration number and stamp

  5. Upload the completed form for review

Who can witness your statutory declaration?

  • Justice of the Peace (JP)

  • Australian lawyer

  • Police officer

  • Doctor

  • Pharmacist

Check your state or territory government website for a full list of authorised witnesses.

Download Statutory Declaration Form

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.

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 are required to provide a statutory declaration

  • You have completed either a digital declaration via myGov or the traditional paper declaration

  • (Paper option only) You have signed the form

  • (Paper option only) An authorised witness has signed the form

  • (Paper option only) The authorised witness has included their registration number and official stamp

  • (Digital option only) You have downloaded and saved the PDF to your device

  • 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

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