Working with Children Checks in Australia

A Working with Children Check is an assessment of whether a person poses an unacceptable risk to children in Australia. As part of the process the screening unit will look at criminal history, child protection information and other information.

If you are applying for any role that requires proximity, or in-person service to children in Australia; you must undergo a Working with Children Check. This assessment will affect pre-employment decisions and determine if you can be employed or not. Hence it is popularly referred to as WWCC or WWC in many Australian states and territories.

The equivalent to the Working with Children Check in Queensland is known as a "Blue Card”.

In the Australian Capital Territory, the equivalent is known as the Working with Vulnerable People registration.

The Working With Children Check (WWCC) is legislated by each state and territory for the purpose of conducting background checks for people seeking to engage in child-related work.

The check aims to prevent people from working with children if records indicate that they may pose an unacceptable risk to children.

The Working with Children Check and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check are two different checks.

The Working with Children Check is an ongoing assessment of a person's eligibility to work with children and involves a check of a person's criminal history and other disciplinary and police information.

A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is a point in time check and discloses criminal history.

The working with children check (WWCC) shows the ongoing assessment of a person's eligibility to work, with children.

Quite distinct from the police checks, the WWCC also includes pending and non-conviction charges and other disciplinary records. Children are considered as vulnerable members of society and need to be protected with all possible means. The screening process for persons that work closely with children has units that peruse the criminal history, child protection information, and others.

A Working with Children Check will help the employers/organisations in “Child Care” make the right decisions during recruitments.

Due to the peculiar requirements of the working with Children Check or working with vulnerable people check, it is not transferable between states.

Irrespective of whether you have applied previously for a WWCC in another state, you must reapply if you must work in a different state/territory.

Any individual who seeks a role in the following capacity in any organisation requires a WWCC check;

• Working as a nanny, children tutor or any child-related field
• Work voluntarily in children schools; cafeterias, classrooms, and co.

Since all states have varying legislations about the Work with Children Check, it means the application process might differ slightly. However here are the basic procedures you need to fulfil to complete your application process;

• Ensure that you apply through the authorised government screening unit available for that state.
• Fill and complete the application form or the application process.
• Provide proof of identity; you will need;
  • Photo ID (passport, driver's license, ImmiCard from Australian government)
  • Other government-issued ID (Medicare Card, Australian Birth certificate, Health care card, Pensioner concession card, Australian citizenship certificate)