To work or volunteer with children in Australia, you will need to obtain some form of history check, which varies from state to state. These checks are designed to stop people who have committed crimes in which children are the victims from working with children.
Working With Children – Blue Card Queensland
In Queensland, the check needed to work with children is called the “Blue Card” system, and is performed by the Public Safety Business Agency. All convictions (including juvenile), spent convictions, pending charges, non-conviction charges, allegations made to police and/or disciplinary information from child-related employers on a person’s record are taken into consideration when issuing or refusing to issue a Blue Card. There are two notable exemptions to needing to apply for a Blue Card when working in Queensland – registered teachers and police officers, who should instead apply for an Exemption Card.
If you have committed any crimes that would disqualify you from working with children (these offenses include crimes with children as the victims), it is an offence to apply for a Blue Card and carries a fine of up to $55,000 or a jail term.
There are different fees for a Blue Card depending whether you are in paid employment ($81.40) and people who are volunteering or doing internships (no fee). Usually, when applying for a Blue Card, the organisation that you are to be working for will take care of lodging the Blue Card application with the appropriate authorities.
Working with Children New South Wales
In New South Wales, the check needed to work with children is called the Working with Children Check, and is performed by the Office of Children’s Guardian. All convictions (including juvenile), spent convictions, pending charges, non-conviction charges, allegations made to police and/or disciplinary information from child-related employers on a person’s record are taken into consideration when issuing or refusing to issue a Working with Children Check.
There is a fee of $80 for a five year clearance if you are in paid employment, but the check is free if you are volunteering or doing an internship (unpaid), and can be applied for online at www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/working-with-children/working-with-children-check
Working with Children Check Victoria
In Victoria, the check needed to work with children is called the Working with Children Check, and it is performed by the Commission for Children and Young People. All convictions (including juvenile), spent convictions, pending charges, non-conviction charges, allegations made to police and/or disciplinary information from child-related employers on a person’s record are taken into consideration when issuing or refusing to issue a Working with Children Check.
There is a fee of $108.80 for a five year clearance if you are in paid employment, but the check is free if you are volunteering or doing an internship (unpaid). You can apply for a Working with Children Check online, but will need to go to an Australia Post outlet to finalise your application, prove 100 points of ID and have a photo taken.
Working with Children – South Australia
In South Australia, the check needed to work with children is called the DCSI Screening Clearance, and is performed by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion. All convictions (including juvenile), spent convictions, pending charges, non-conviction charges, allegations made to police and/or disciplinary information from child-related employers on a person’s record are taken into consideration when issuing or refusing to issue a DCSI Screening Clearance.
There is a fee of $101.75 for a check if you are in paid employment, or a fee of $56.10 if you are volunteering or doing an internship (unpaid). The forms to apply for a DCSI Screening Clearance are available online, but your employer may provide them to you. Once they have been completed, you will need to produce 100 points of ID to be verified by an authorised witness (for example, a Justice of the Peace or solicitor). Your employer should then attend to completing their part of the form and lodge it with the appropriate authority.
Working with Children – Western Australia
In Western Australia, the check needed to work with children is called the Working With Children Check, and is performed by the WA WWC Screening Unit. All convictions (including juvenile), spent convictions, pending charges, non-conviction charges, allegations made to police and/or disciplinary information from child-related employers on a person’s record are taken into consideration when issuing or refusing to issue a Working with Children Check.
There are different fees for the Working with Children Check for people in paid employment ($82) and people who are volunteering or doing internships ($11). To obtain a Working with Children Check, you should go to an Australia Post outlet, who will have the forms and be able to lodge the application with the fee for you.
Once you have a Working with Children Check in Western Australia, it is valid for 3 years.
