What Is a Working With Children Check?
A Working With Children Check (WWCC) is a mandatory screening process designed to protect children from physical and sexual harm. It assesses whether an individual poses a risk to children based on their criminal record, disciplinary proceedings, and other relevant information held by government agencies.
Unlike a standard National Police Check, a WWCC is a continuous, ongoing assessment. Once issued, the holder's record is monitored for the duration of the clearance period — meaning new offences or relevant information can trigger a reassessment at any time, not just at renewal.
Every Australian state and territory operates its own WWCC scheme, each with different names, application processes, costs, and validity periods. This creates complexity for employers who operate across multiple jurisdictions, and for workers who relocate between states.
A WWCC is not the same as a police check. While both examine criminal history, a WWCC also considers findings from workplace misconduct investigations, apprehended violence orders involving children, and other intelligence that may not appear on a criminal record. The outcome is a clearance-or-bar decision, not a certificate listing offences.
State-by-State Breakdown
Each state and territory manages its own WWCC scheme independently. Below is a detailed breakdown of how the check works in each jurisdiction, including the issuing authority, application method, cost, and validity period.
New South Wales
In NSW, the Working With Children Check is administered by the Office of the Children's Guardian. Applicants apply online through the Service NSW website and must verify their identity at a Service NSW centre or Australia Post outlet.
The check costs $80 for paid workers and is free for volunteers. Clearances are valid for 5 years and result in a WWCC number and clearance status that employers can verify online through the Office of the Children's Guardian's employer portal.
NSW uses a risk assessment model: applicants with relevant criminal records are referred to the Children's Guardian for a secondary assessment, which considers the nature of the offence, time elapsed, and the type of child-related work being sought. Processing typically takes 1–4 weeks for straightforward applications, but can extend to several months if a risk assessment is required.
Victoria
Victoria's WWCC is managed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety. Applications are submitted online, and identity must be verified at an Australia Post outlet with a lodgement receipt.
The check costs $114.40 for employees and is free for volunteers. Clearances are valid for 5 years and result in a WWCC card mailed to the applicant.
Victoria's scheme uses a two-stage assessment: an initial automated screen against criminal records and a secondary assessment for applicants with relevant history. Standard processing takes 2–4 weeks, though assessments can take significantly longer. Employers must sight the original WWCC card and verify the holder's status through the Department's online system before work commences.
Queensland (Blue Card)
Queensland's equivalent is the Blue Card, administered by Blue Card Services within the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. The Blue Card system is one of Australia's most comprehensive child protection screening schemes.
Applications are submitted online or via paper form. A Blue Card costs $96.55 for paid employees and is free for volunteers and students. Cards are valid for 3 years — the shortest validity period of any Australian jurisdiction.
Queensland's scheme screens against criminal history, police investigations, disciplinary information from professional bodies (such as the Queensland College of Teachers), and child protection order history. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks for new applications, though this can vary. Employers must register as a Blue Card-linked organisation and are notified if a cardholder's status changes.
One unique aspect of Queensland's system is the No Card, No Start policy, which took full effect in 2021. This means individuals cannot begin child-related work until their Blue Card has been issued — there is no interim or provisional authorisation for paid employees.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the WWCC is managed by the Department of Communities. Applications are submitted online, with identity verified at an Australia Post outlet.
The check costs $11 for paid workers — the cheapest in the country — and is free for volunteers. Cards are valid for 3 years.
WA's scheme results in either an Assessment Notice (clearance) or a Negative Notice (bar). Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks. Employers must verify the card status using the applicant's WWCC number and date of birth before the individual commences child-related work.
South Australia
South Australia's WWCC is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Screening Unit. As of 2024, SA operates a standalone WWCC scheme that replaced the previous DCSI screening process.
Applications are submitted through the DHS screening portal. The check costs $55.50 for employees and is free for volunteers. Clearances are valid for 5 years with ongoing monitoring.
SA's scheme assesses national criminal history, state disciplinary records, and child protection information. Processing generally takes 1–4 weeks for clear applications. Employers can verify a worker's clearance status through the online verification system using their screening number.
Tasmania
Tasmania's Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) is managed by the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) division within the Department of Justice. Notably, Tasmania's scheme covers both children and vulnerable adults — a broader scope than most other states.
Applications are submitted online. The registration costs $17.60 for employees and is free for volunteers. Registrations are valid for 3 years.
Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks. The RWVP card is issued upon clearance, and employers must verify the registration status before allowing the individual to work with vulnerable people.
Northern Territory (Ochre Card)
The Northern Territory's clearance is known as the Ochre Card, issued by Safe NT within the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities. Like Tasmania, the NT scheme covers both children and vulnerable people.
Applications are lodged online through the Safe NT portal. An Ochre Card costs $55 for paid workers and is free for volunteers. Cards are valid for 2 years — the shortest validity period of any Australian jurisdiction.
The Ochre Card screening process considers national criminal history, NT care and protection records, and information from the NT Police. Processing takes 2–6 weeks for standard applications. The shorter validity period means more frequent renewals, which the NT government considers appropriate given the territory's unique demographics and regional challenges.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT's WWCC is managed by the Access Canberra division of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate. The scheme operates under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011, covering both children and vulnerable adults.
Applications are submitted online via Access Canberra. The registration costs $78 for employees and is free for volunteers. Registrations are valid for 5 years with continuous monitoring.
Processing usually takes 3–5 weeks. Employers must verify registration status through the Access Canberra online portal. The ACT scheme is notable for its broad definition of "vulnerable people," which captures a wider range of roles than purely child-related checks in other jurisdictions.
Who Needs a Working With Children Check?
A WWCC is required for anyone engaged in child-related work, which generally means work that involves direct contact with children (under 18) or access to confidential records about children. This includes both paid employment and volunteer roles.
Common roles and sectors that require a WWCC include:
- Education: Teachers, teacher aides, school administration staff, tutors, and school bus drivers
- Childcare: Early childhood educators, family day care providers, nannies, and au pairs
- Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals who treat children
- Religious organisations: Clergy, youth group leaders, Sunday school teachers, and camp counsellors
- Sport and recreation: Coaches, trainers, umpires, and committee members of junior sporting clubs
- Disability services: Support workers providing services to children with disabilities
- Child protection: Foster carers, kinship carers, and authorised carers
- Entertainment: Anyone involved in activities or services where children participate
The specific definition of "child-related work" varies by state and territory. Some jurisdictions cast a wider net than others — for example, Tasmania and the NT include vulnerable adults in their screening requirements, while Queensland's Blue Card system has one of the most detailed lists of regulated activities in the country.
Parents volunteering at their own child's school are often exempt, but this varies by jurisdiction. When in doubt, check with the relevant state authority or your employer's compliance team.
How to Apply for a WWCC
While each state has its own process, the general steps for obtaining a WWCC are broadly similar across Australia:
- Step 1 — Determine your jurisdiction: You need to apply in the state or territory where you will be working, not where you live. If you work across multiple states, you may need clearances in each jurisdiction.
- Step 2 — Submit your application online: Most states now offer online applications. You'll provide your personal details, identity documents, and information about the child-related role you're applying for.
- Step 3 — Verify your identity: Depending on the state, you'll need to present original identity documents at an Australia Post outlet, Service NSW centre, or other approved location. Some jurisdictions accept digital identity verification.
- Step 4 — Pay the fee: Fees range from $11 (WA) to $114.40 (VIC) for paid workers. Volunteers are free in every jurisdiction.
- Step 5 — Wait for your result: Processing takes anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks depending on the state and whether your application requires further assessment.
Once cleared, you'll receive either a card (physical or digital) or a clearance number that your employer can verify. Most jurisdictions also notify the employer directly if you've listed them on your application.
It is important to apply well before you need to start work. Some states — particularly Queensland under the No Card, No Start policy — do not allow individuals to commence child-related employment until the clearance is issued. Planning ahead avoids delays in onboarding new staff.
Processing Times and Costs
Processing times and costs vary significantly across jurisdictions. Here is a summary of the current fees and typical turnaround times:
- NSW: $80 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 1–4 weeks
- VIC: $114.40 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 2–4 weeks
- QLD (Blue Card): $96.55 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 4–8 weeks
- WA: $11 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 2–4 weeks
- SA: $55.50 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 1–4 weeks
- TAS: $17.60 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 2–6 weeks
- NT (Ochre Card): $55 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 2–6 weeks
- ACT: $78 (paid) / Free (volunteer) — 3–5 weeks
Several factors can slow processing: a common name shared with someone who has a criminal record, relevant criminal history that triggers a secondary risk assessment, or incomplete identity verification. Applications submitted during peak periods (beginning of school year, start of sporting seasons) may also experience longer turnaround times.
There are no express or expedited processing options available in any jurisdiction. If you need a clearance quickly, the best strategy is to ensure your application is complete and accurate the first time, and to verify your identity as soon as possible after submitting.
Portability Between States
One of the most common questions about WWCCs is whether a clearance from one state is valid in another. The short answer is: generally no. Each state and territory operates its own independent scheme, and a clearance issued in one jurisdiction is not automatically recognised in another.
However, there have been ongoing efforts to improve portability. The National Reference System (NRS), coordinated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse's recommendations, aims to allow states to share relevant information when processing WWCC applications. This means that while you still need to apply in each state where you work, the assessment process can draw on information from other jurisdictions.
In practice, if you work across state borders — for example, a sports coach who operates programs in both NSW and Queensland — you will need a valid clearance in each state. The costs and administrative burden of maintaining multiple clearances is a recognised issue, and there have been calls for a single national WWCC, but as of 2026 this has not been implemented.
Some mutual recognition arrangements exist between specific pairs of jurisdictions. For example, the ACT and NSW have historically had closer cooperation on screening due to geographic proximity. However, these arrangements are limited and should not be relied upon as a substitute for holding the correct clearance in each state where you perform child-related work.
Employer Obligations
Employers have significant legal obligations when it comes to WWCCs. Failing to comply can result in substantial fines and, in some jurisdictions, criminal penalties for both the organisation and responsible individuals.
Key obligations for employers include:
- Verify before work begins: Employers must confirm that a worker holds a valid WWCC before they commence child-related duties. This means sighting the card or clearance notice and verifying it through the relevant state portal.
- Maintain a register: Most jurisdictions require employers to keep a register of all employees and volunteers who hold a WWCC, including their clearance number, expiry date, and the date the clearance was verified.
- Monitor expiry dates: Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workers' clearances remain current. Allowing someone to work with a lapsed clearance is an offence in most states.
- Report changes: If an employer becomes aware that an employee has been charged with or convicted of a relevant offence, they may be required to report this to the relevant screening authority.
- Register as a child-safe organisation: In some jurisdictions (notably Queensland), employers must register as a linked organisation with the screening body to receive notifications about their employees' clearance status changes.
For organisations using Refchecks, WWCC verification can be integrated into your standard pre-employment screening workflow. When you initiate a Working With Children Check through our platform, we verify the candidate's clearance status directly with the relevant state authority and include the result in your candidate pack — saving your compliance team the manual verification step.
Given the serious consequences of non-compliance, we recommend that employers establish a system for tracking WWCC expiry dates and initiating renewals well before clearances lapse. A proactive approach is far less costly than dealing with a compliance breach after the fact.