The Working with Children Check explained

All the basics about the Working with Children Check, including who needs it, the different types and the cost.

On this page

• The purpose of the check
• Your obligation to apply for a check
• Volunteer check versus employee check
  • Volunteer check
  • Employee check
  • Fees valid until 30 June 2024
  • Fees from 1 July 2024
  • Relevant offences under the Worker Screening Act 2020
  • What is a Police Check?
  • How is a Working with Children Check different?

  If you plan to do child-related work in Victoria you'll need to apply for a Working with Children Check (check), unless you're exempt under the Act.

  If you pass the check, it is valid for 5 years, unless it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered.

  By law, there are some activities or jobs that need a check. If you can’t find your type of activity or work listed, you won’t need a check unless your organisation has asked you to get one.

  The purpose of the check

  The check assists in protecting children from sexual and physical harm by ensuring that people who work with, or care for, them are subject to a screening process.

  Your obligation to apply for a check

  You are breaking the law if you start child-related work without applying for a check first. Your organisation is also breaking the law if they allow you to do child-related work when you have not yet applied for a check.

  Volunteer check versus employee check

  There is one assessment process for the check, but you must choose between 2 application types:

  If you’re getting paid for child-related work (excluding reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses), you’ll need to apply as an employee.

  Volunteer check

  If you plan to do volunteer child-related work in Victoria (where you're not paid for the work), you will likely need this check. Some examples of volunteer child-related work are:

  • Coaching a sports team
  • Scout leader
  • School-based activities.

  We’ve created a list of job categories that need a check for you to use to work out if you need a check.

  If you're reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur in doing voluntary work, you are still eligible for this type of check.

  Employee check

  To do paid child-related work, you might need an Employee check. Some examples of paid child-related work are:

  • Teacher’s aides
  • Child care
  • Child protection services
  • Healthcare professionals in a hospital paediatric ward.

  The employee check covers both volunteer and paid work. There are some scenarios in which you may not need a check. Find out when exemptions apply.

  Costs of the check

  Fees valid until 30 June 2024

  Type of check	Cost
  Volunteer check / renewal of volunteer check / replacement of volunteer card	Free
  Employee check	$128.20
  Volunteer to employee check	$128.20
  Renewal of employee check	$97.00
  Replacement of employee check card	$8.00

  Fees from 1 July 2024

  Type of check	Cost
  Volunteer check / renewal of volunteer check / replacement of volunteer card	Free
  Employee check	$131.60
  Volunteer to employee check	$131.60
  Renewal of employee check	$99.60
  Replacement of employee check card	$8.20

  What your card looks like

  The card will display your:

  

  • name
  • photograph
  • card number
  • card type
  • card expiry date

  What your digital card looks like

  Your digital card is stored on your Service Vic app.

  You can see if someone’s card is current or expired by using the Service Victoria app to scan the QR code on the digital card. A cancelled or suspended card can’t be scanned with the app.

  The card will display your:

  

  • name
  • photograph
  • card number
  • card type
  • card expiry date
  • QR code for scanning

  What we look for with the check

  The check looks at a few different elements to determine if you’re permitted to do child-related work in Victoria.

  When you apply, we’ll look at and assess your:

  • criminal record in all Australian states and territories across your lifetime – including serious sexual, violent and drug offences you have previously been charged with, regardless of the outcome of those charges
  • professional conduct, which is determined by:
    • the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
    • the Suitability Panel, established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, which makes findings related to the suitability of registered out-of-home carers
    • the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) through the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

    Relevant offences under the Worker Screening Act 2020

    The Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) classifies a range of relevant WWC offences into three categories: A,B and C. Applicable WWC offences are categorised according to severity with category A offences being the most severe. We also screen and monitor every applicant and Check holder for any new offences or charges that fall within the Act.

    • Category A offences (Schedule 2)
    1. An offence (other than a child abuse material offence, a carnal knowledge offence or an offence specified in clause 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 of this Schedule) specified in clause 1 of Schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (sexual offences) in circumstances where the person against whom the offence is committed is a child or, in cases of an offence of bestiality, against an animal.
    2. A child abuse material offence or an offence under a law of a jurisdiction other than Victoria that if it had been committed in Victoria, would have constituted a child abuse material offence.
    3. An offence specified in clause 2(a) of Schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (murder).
    4. The common law offence of rape.
    5. An offence against section 38 of the Crimes Act 1958 (rape).
    6. An offence against, or for which the penalty or the maximum or minimum penalty is fixed by, any of the following sections (as amended) of the Crimes Act 1958 inserted by section 3 of the Crimes (Sexual Offences) Act 1991 and repealed by section 3 of the Crimes (Rape) Act 1991—
       1. section 40 (rape);
       2. section 41 (rape with aggravating circumstances).
       1. section 45(1) (rape);
       2. section 45(3) (rape with aggravating circumstances).
       1. section 44(1) (rape);
       2. section 44(2) (rape with mitigating circumstances).
       1. An offence (other than a child abuse material offence, a carnal knowledge offence or an offence specified in clause 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 of Schedule 2) specified in clause 1 of Schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (sexual offences) in circumstances where the person against whom the offence is committed is not a child.
       2. A carnal knowledge offence.
       3. An offence specified in clause 2 of Schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (violent offences) other than murder or attempted murder.
       4. An offence specified in clause 4 of Schedule 1 to the Sentencing Act 1991 (drug offences).
       5. An offence against section 71AB (trafficking in a drug of dependence to a child) or 71B (supply of a drug of dependence to a child) of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 or an offence under a law of a jurisdiction other than Victoria that, if it had been committed in Victoria, would have constituted an offence against section 71AB or 71B of that Act.
       6. An offence—
          1. against section 46 or 47 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 or against Part 5 of that Act (other than section 70); or
          2. against the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005 (other than section 42(3)); or
          3. against the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009 (other than section 182, 186 or 189(1A)); or
          4. against the Serious Offenders Act 2018 (other than section 277, 281, 284 or 289A); or
          5. under a law of a jurisdiction other than Victoria that, if it had been committed in Victoria, would have constituted an offence against—
             1. section 46 or 47 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 or Part 5 of that Act (other than section 70); or
             2. the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005 (other than section 42(3)); or
             3. the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009 (other than section 182, 186 or 189(1A)); or
             4. the Serious Offenders Act 2018 (other than section 277, 281, 284 or 289A).
             1. against any of the following sections of the Crimes Act 1958—
                1. Section 49O (1) (failure by a person in authority to protect a child from a sexual offence);
                2. Section 327 (failure to disclose sexual offence committed against child under the age of 16 years); or
                1. against any of the following sections of the Crimes Act 1958 if the offence was committed before the commencement of the Crimes (Amendment) Act 1985;
                   1. section 19(unlawfully and maliciously wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm);
                   2. section 37 (common assault); or
                   1. against section 17(1) (obscene, indecent, threatening language and behaviour etc. in public) of the Summary Offences Act 1966 constituted by indecent behaviour if the offence was committed before the commencement of the Vagrancy (Repeal) and Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2005; or
                   2. under a law of a jurisdiction other than Victoria before the commencement of the Vagrancy (Repeal) and Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2005, would have constituted an offence against section 17(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1966 constituted by indecent behaviour.
                   1. against section 7(1)(c) (willful and obscene exposure) of the Vagrancy Act 1966 if the offence was committed before the commencement of the Vagrancy (Repeal) and Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2005; or
                   2. under a law of a jurisdiction other than Victoria that, if it had been committed in Victoria before the commencement of the Vagrancy (Repeal) and Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2005, would have constituted an offence against section 7(1)(c) of the Vagrancy Act 1966.
                   1. against any of the following sections of the Crimes Act 1958—
                      1. section 63 (child stealing);
                      2. section 75A (armed robbery); or
                      1. against any of the following sections of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005—
                         1. section 493 (failing to protect a child from harm);
                         2. section 494 (leaving a child unattended); or
                         1. against the following sections of the Surveillance Devices Act 1999—
                            1. section 7 (installing, using or maintaining a device to record or observe a private activity);
                            2. section 9B (employer installing, using or maintaining a device to record or observe a private activity of a worker); or

                            When you receive your check

                            Show your physical or digital card to every organisation you do child-related work for, and make sure you provide your check information to them before you start working.

                            You are responsible for:

                            • making sure your personal and organisation’s details are up to date
                            • not letting anyone else use your check for child-related work
                            • letting us know if any of your circumstances change, including if you are charged with or found guilty of any offences
                            • renewing your check before it expires if you are, or will still be doing, child-related work
                            • changing your check from volunteer to employee if have a volunteer check but are going to do paid child-related work.

                            These tasks can all be done online at Service Vic.

                            Difference between a Working with Children Check and a Police Check

                            The Working with Children Check and Police Check are different checks. Depending on what your organisation requires, you might need both.

                            What is a Police Check?

                            A Police Check is not an assessment, like the Check, but a list of findings. You might need a Police Check when you start a new job, volunteer or do work experience. Your employer might use a Police Check to assess your suitability for other kinds of work.

                            If you need to obtain a Police Check for paid or unpaid work, licences or registration in Victoria, contact Victoria Police.

                            If you need a Police Check for immigration and visa applications, working overseas, adoption, a Federal Government job, or for any other reason under Commonwealth legislation, contact the Australian Federal Police.

                            You can get a Police Check online via their website or download an application form to complete.

                            How is a Working with Children Check different?

                            Under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) if you’re doing child-related work and are not otherwise exempt under the Act, you must have a Check even if you already have a Police Check.

                            The main differences between a Working with Children Check and a Police Check are:

                            1. A Police Check won’t allow you to do child-related work in Victoria.
                            2. You can’t pass or fail a Police Check, but you will pass or fail a Working with Children Check.
                            3. A Working with Children Check is valid for 5 years (unless suspended, surrendered or revoked), but a Police Check only provides results as at the date of issue.
                            4. When you apply for a Check, we review professional conduct determinations and findings from prescribed bodies listed in the Act. A Police Check doesn’t.
                            5. We are notified by other regulators and prescribed bodies about changes to your circumstances while your Working with Children Check is valid. A Police Check only provides a snapshot as at the date of the check, with no future information provided.