The federal and state governments could bring in a single system for checking the background of disability care workers.
The recommendation is made in an issues paper released by disability ministers following a meeting in Melbourne on Monday.
At present, each state and territory has its own system of checking the background of disability care workers and volunteers.
"A nationally consistent approach could reduce the likelihood of some people slipping through the screening net by moving interstate," the paper says.
"This approach would be consistent with the enhanced staff screening practices adopted by some states."
However, there are concerns that it could be costly and delay the appointment of workers, as well as take responsibility out of the hands of employers for proper interview screening and referee checks.
Another option would leave checks solely in the hands of employers.
But this could allow job applicants who present a safety risk to hide their background.
However, this problem could be overcome by mandating that employers request police checks for certain employee roles.
A further proposal involves a "barred persons list", which would exclude a worker, who had been found to have abused, neglected or assaulted a disabled person, from a future job in the sector.
Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said people with a disability had a right to feel and be safe when getting support under the national disability insurance scheme.
"Some people with disability are more vulnerable to abuse, so we need a strong system to keep them safe," Senator Fifield said.
The royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse has also called for strengthening of staff screening.
Consultation closes on April 30 and the ministers will report to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and premiers at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting.
Three states and the ACT have centralised screening of adult disability workers.
Victoria has a register of barred people for state-funded disability accommodation.
Queensland's "yellow card" system excludes some people from the sector based on criminal and other history.
ACT runs a risk-assessment program known as Working with Vulnerable People.
South Australia has regulations which require checks of criminal history, charges, spent convictions and workplace records.
Other states require employers to undertake police checks.
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