The Essential Credential for Childcare: Everything you Need to Know about Working with Children Checks

In the childcare sector, safeguarding children is a non-negotiable priority, and ensuring the right people are entrusted with their care is essential.

This is where the Working with Children Check (WWCC) comes in—a credential designed to screen individuals working with children to help protect young people from harm. While WWCCs are required nationwide, each Australian state has its unique regulations and requirements.

So let’s break it down.

What is a working with children check or state equivalent?

These checks are a screening process to assess an individual’s suitability to work with children and/or vulnerable people. It considers their criminal history, and in some states, additional background information to determine if they pose a risk to the safety of children.

The key distinction of these checks is that they are LIVE, continuously updated, unlike a Police Check, which is a static point in time check.

For childcare providers, compliance with WWCC requirements is mandatory, with specific obligations depending on the state or territory.

1. New South Wales (NSW)
   In NSW, the Office of the Children’s Guardian oversees WWCCs. The check is required for anyone in child-related work, including childcare, and must be renewed every five years.
   Legislation: Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012
   Requirements: Individuals apply online, and the check includes a National Criminal History Check and a review of any workplace misconduct.
2. Victoria (VIC)
   Victoria’s Department of Justice and Community Safety administers the Working with Children Check, which must be renewed every five years.
   Legislation: Working with Children Act 2005
   Requirements: The check includes a criminal history review, and individuals are reassessed if new relevant information arises.
3. Queensland
   Queensland refers to its screening as a “Blue Card.” The Blue Card system mandates checks for people in regulated employment and business in child-related environments, including childcare. There is also a Blue Card exemption.
   Legislation: Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
   Requirements: The Blue Card is valid for three years, and the renewal process includes regular police checks.
4. South Australia
   South Australia’s Department of Human Services manages its WWCC. The check is required for anyone working or volunteering with children and is valid for five years.
   Legislation: Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
   Requirements: The check includes national criminal history and background information from government and other sources.
5. Western Australia
   In Western Australia, the WWCC is mandatory for people employed or volunteering in child-related work. It must be renewed every three years, and the Department of Communities oversees the process.
   Legislation: Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004
   Requirements: Checks include a national criminal history review and consideration of other relevant information.
6. Tasmania
   In Tasmania, WWCCs are valid for three years and required for anyone working with children, including in childcare services. Applications are submitted to the Department of Justice.
   Legislation: Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013
   Requirements: The check involves a national criminal history check and any relevant background information.
7. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
   The ACT requires a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration rather than a WWCC. This screening is required for those working with children and is valid for three years.
   Legislation: Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011
   Requirements: A national criminal check, as well as ongoing monitoring of relevant information.
8. Northern Territory
   In the Northern Territory, the Ochre Card is required for individuals working with children. The check must be renewed every two years.
   Legislation: Care and Protection of Children Act 2007
   Requirements: Includes a criminal history check and other background reviews.

Revoked Or Expired

Between 1 and 8 Working with Children Checks are revoked in EACH Australian State EVERY day.

Working With Children Checks may not be valid as they have expired or have been revoked. It is the crucial responsibility of the childcare provider to ensure suitability of their workforce every day. Child safeguarding needs to be the number one priority for childcare centres, and credential compliance is a key component.

The Administrative Burden

For childcare organisations, managing Working with Children Checks across multiple locations or a large workforce can be a complex, time-consuming task. It is an immense task for HR teams or administrators to ensure every employee’s check is up to date, meets legislative requirements, and is renewed before expiration.

This task becomes particularly challenging when considering the variations in requirements across states and territories, as well as the need for regular rechecks to maintain compliance.

Automating and centralising WWCC management can significantly reduce this burden. A credential management tool like Oho’s enables organisations to track, verify, and update WWCCs in real-time, ensuring compliance and freeing HR teams to focus on other critical aspects of workforce management.

Oho verifies Working with Children Checks, Teachers Licenses, VEVO Visa Entitlements, NDIS Worker Screening Check, AHPRA Registrations and more. Oho can also manage the expiry of drivers licences, first aid certifications, qualifications and more.