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Working with Vulnerable People Registration - Australian Capital Territory

Description

You will need this registration if you intend to work or volunteer in regulated activities or services involving vulnerable people in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

A vulnerable person means a child under the age of 18 years or an adult who is disadvantaged. This registration functions as a background check that aims to help reduce the risk of harm or neglect of vulnerable people in the ACT.

Regulated activities and services include:

  • child protection services
  • justice facilities for children
  • childcare services
  • child education services
  • child accommodation services
  • counselling and support services for children
  • commercial services for children (entertainment or party service, gym or play facility, photography service or running talent or beauty competitions)
  • mental health services
  • migrant, refugee or asylum services
  • homeless people services
  • housing and accommodation for the disadvantaged
  • justice facilities
  • victims of crime or prevention of crime programs
  • addiction services
  • community service providing held to people and families suffering social or financial hardship or trying live independently needing support
  • disability service
  • respite care service
  • emergency service.

You may also need this registration if you provide:

  • public transport for vulnerable people
  • coaching and tuition for vulnerable people
  • vocational and educational training for vulnerable people
  • religious service or activities for vulnerable people
  • memberships for clubs and associations that have a significant membership or involvement by vulnerable people.

You will also need this registration if you are one of the key personnel of a registered NDIS provider that is providing an NDIS activity. NDIS activity means a support or a service provided to people with a disability by a registered NDIS provider under the NDIS Act.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

Once your application has been received, a risk assessment national criminal history check will be completed to determine if you pose any risk working with vulnerable people. If it is determined that you do, you will not be granted this registration.

People with a Class A disqualifying offence will be automatically excluded from participating in a regulated activity involving children or in an NDIS activity. Class A offences include murder, culpable driving causing death, and sexual offences against vulnerable people.

People with a Class B disqualifying offence will be excluded from participating in a regulated activity involving children or in an NDIS activity unless exceptional circumstances exist. Class B disqualifying offences include, but are not limited to, child neglect, drug, fraud and theft offences.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

All people with WWVP registrations will have their activities monitored by the agency during the duration of their registration to ensure they remain suitable to work with vulnerable people.

Duration

As specified

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $146.00

Fees for 2023-24

Other resources

Task Business Structure Resources
Comply All Background Check Risk Assessment Guidelines 2021 (Opens in new window)

Act(s) name

Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 Australian Capital Territory

Regulation(s) name

Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Regulation 2012 Australian Capital Territory

Lodgement process

Apply

Attend an Access Canberra Service Centre to provide proof of your identity and have your photo taken.

Application process

Apply

Complete a Working with Vulnerable People application for registration.

Approval time

Approximately 8 working days

Additional information

There are three types of registration cards:

  • general registration for people who are able to work in all regulated activities
  • role-based registration for people who are restricted to only working in specific regulated activities with a stated employer
  • conditional registration for people who have conditions associated with their registration.

You will not require this registration, if you:

  • are engaged in a regulated activity for not more than 3 days in any 4-week period or 7 days in any 12-month period
  • are registered to undertake the regulated activity under a corresponding law and are engaged in the activity for not more than 28 days in any 12-month period
  • are a close relative of each vulnerable person taking part in any regulated activity
  • are engaged in the activity as a school student on a work experience placement or doing practical training.

Administering agency

Community Services Directorate

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.