This is not a course or training.
It’s a mandatory government background check designed to help keep children safe.
Each Australian state and territory runs its own Working With Children Check, with slightly different rules, costs and application processes, which are outlined below.
What this post covers:
A Working With Children Check (often called a WWCC, or by state names like the Blue Card in Queensland) is a mandatory background screening for anyone working or volunteering with children in Australia. It assesses your criminal history and professional conduct to determine whether you’re legally allowed to work with minors.
Different states and territories administer their own checks under local legislation — but the purpose across all jurisdictions is the same: protecting children from harm by screening people who engage in child‑related work.
You generally need a WWCC if you:
While each state has its own regulator (details per state below), the general process is:
Please Note: You must apply in the correct state where the child‑related work will occur.
Each Australian state and territory runs its own Working With Children Check, with slightly different rules, costs and application processes. Below is a clear, state-by-state guide so you can quickly find what applies to you and get everything together that you need to apply:
The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required for anyone who works with or volunteers in child-related work in NSW. It involves a National Police Check (criminal history record check) and a review of reportable workplace misconduct.
Note: Once you’ve provided the documents below at the service centre, the National Police Criminal History check begins.
Four proof of identity (POI) documents including the below. I’ve included what you should use:
At least one of your documents must contain your signature and photo. Your POI documents must be current and original.
The Working with Children Check is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria.
What you’ll need to do:
The three identity documents you need:
Watch this video explaining the process of verifiying your identity with your smart phone. It takes you through exactly what you need to know, including taking photos of your original ID documents, completing the liveness test (with your phone camera), and taking a passport-style picture of yourself.
You can find FAQ on the Service Australlia website.
In Queensland, the Working With Children Check is called a Blue Card. To work, volunteer or operate a business in regulated child-related employment or business in Queensland, you may need a blue or exemption card.
Please note: You will need a Customer Reference Number (CRN) from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) before you apply for your blue or exemption card to prove your identity. The quickest way to get a CRN is with myGov. To start you need a myGov account. If you don’t have one, you can find out how to create one on the myGov website.
To apply for a blue or exemption card, follow these 3 steps:
Read more about the blue card system on the Queensland Government website.
The Working with Children (WWC) Check is a compulsory screening strategy for people engaging in child-related work in Western Australia (WA) and the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
You are not able to apply for a WWCC in WA before you have found a job or volunteer position, because your employer, volunteer organisation or education provider must complete and sign specific parts of the application form (more below).
Important Notice – Processing and Enquiry Delays
The WWC Screening Unit is currently experiencing extended delays in processing Working with Children (WWC) applications. They are working hard to finalise applications as quickly as possible. Please remember that an application receipt serves as proof of a pending application and, in most cases, allows a person to begin or continue in child-related work.
Their WWC Customer Support Centre is also receiving a very high volume of queries related to these matters. This has resulted in longer wait times when calling and significant delays in responses to emails.
They greatly appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resolve these issues.
Watch this video explaining how you can apply for a WWC Check in WA.
Lodge an application form – When lodging a WWC Check Application Form at an authorised Australia Post outlet the person must present certain documents to prove their identity, so the correct criminal record information is obtained.
The person will need to provide:
A list of current identification documents accepted for WWC Checks can be found in the Sample WWC Check Application Form (PDF, 1.01MB).
You must provide a combination of identity documents to meet the 100 point proof of identity check. There are different combinations but as a New Zealander the below is your best option.
Please note, that I have not beenable to confirm that the above is acceptable, but it doesn’t state anywhere that a card and statement can’t both be used. Pleas email me if you discover the above is not correct, or if it is. Thanks!
Read more about the Working with Children Check on the Government of Western Australia website.
You need a Working with Children Check (WWCC) if you work, or intend to work, as an employee or volunteer, in a child-related area.
People living outside of Australia can apply for a screening check by completing the online application. It doesn’t state if New Zealanders are able to do this or not, because we can not provide a copy of our visa, as we don’t get until we arrive in Australia. Here is more information on the South Australia Government website, Applicants living outside of Australia.
You must provide a combination of identity documents to meet the 100 point proof of identity check. There are different combinations but as a New Zealander the below is your best option.
Please note, that I have not beenable to confirm that the above is acceptable, but it doesn’t state anywhere that a card and statement can’t both be used. Pleas email me if you discover the above is not correct, or if it is. Thanks!
Read more about the Working with Children Check on the Government of South Australia website.
To work or volunteer with children in the Northern Territory (NT), you must apply for a Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card). In the NT, the Working With Children Check is known as an Ochre Card.
You can apply online, in person or by mail. Apply online via the NT Police SAFE NT website. It is fast and easy to complete. You must complete the application in one sitting. You can’t save your information and return to it.
You must provide a combination of identity documents to meet the 100 point proof of identity check. There are different combinations but as a New Zealander the below is your best option:
You also need to provide:
Please note, that I have not beenable to confirm that the above is acceptable, but it doesn’t state anywhere that a card and statement can’t both be used. Pleas email me if you discover the above is not correct, or if it is. Thanks!
Read more about the Working with Children Check on the Northern Territory Government website.
In ACT the Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Check, which covers children.
Because of the background checks needed for a WWVP registration, you need to supply 4 forms of identity and:
At least one of your documents must contain your signature and photo. Your documents must be current and original.
Read more about the Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) on the ACT Government website, Access Canberra.
Unlike some other work cards (e.g., the White Card), the Working With Children Check is not a training course; it is a background screening process. Wikipedia
However, a number of training courses complement the WWCC and are highly recommended, especially if you will be directly interacting with children, supervising them, or working in education or care services:
These courses help you understand child safety laws, reporting obligations, and best practices:
Important: These training courses do not replace the required WWCC screening; they are supplementary.
Is the Working With Children Check a course or a training program?
No. The WWCC is a background screening check, not a course. You do not need to study or sit an exam.
Some employers may ask you to complete child safety or safeguarding training, but this is separate and does not replace the Working With Children Check.
Do I need a WWCC before I apply for jobs?
Often, yes, but not always.
Many employers will allow you to:
Always check with the employer, as requirements vary.
Does my Working With Children Check transfer between states?
No. Working With Children Checks are state-based.
If you move interstate and continue working with children, you’ll usually need to apply again in the new state or territory.
I’m volunteering. Do I still need one?
Yes. In most states, volunteers still need a WWCC, even though the check is often free.
I already have a police check. Is that enough?
No. A police check is not the same as a Working With Children Check.
The WWCC includes ongoing monitoring and additional screening that a standard police check does not.
Can I pay a company to organise this for me?
You can get help understanding the process, but only the government authority can issue a legitimate Working With Children Check.
Be cautious of anyone offering to “fast-track” or “guarantee” approval.
What happens if my check expires?
If your WWCC expires:
Most states allow you to renew before the expiry date, which is strongly recommended.
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