Working with Children Check - Victoria

Description

You may need a Working with Children (WWC) Check to do child related work.

The WWC Check is a criminal check for people who have regular and / or direct contact with children under the age of 18 which may not be directly supervised by another person. The assessment is compulsory for employment in certain occupations in Victoria.

Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies must ensure that any of their staff or volunteers who need a WWC Check have it completed.

The WWC Check is designed to complement good recruitment, selection (including reference checking), supervision and training practices for staff and volunteers who work with children. It involves an identity check, national police records check and a check of records from prescribed professional disciplinary bodies such as teaching institutions.

Operations that will need you to apply for a WWC Check include:

  • child protection services, fostering, youth justice and community services
  • educational institutions and all kinds of child care services
  • counselling and other support services for children
  • transport services specifically for children
  • refuges or other residential facilities used by children
  • religious organisations, clubs, associations or movements
  • commercial babysitting, nannying or child-minding services
  • camps, sports and recreation facilities, child gyms and play facilities
  • school crossing services
  • entertainment or party services
  • photography services
  • talent or beauty competitions.

Applications may be made as an individual or on behalf of an organisation that will receive the information for employment, voluntary work and occupation-related licensing or registration purposes.

Generally, information about you as an individual and your criminal history cannot be released by Victoria Police to an organisation without your written consent, and strict guidelines apply to the release of criminal history information to any individual or organisations.

Service type

Licence

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

Exemptions

If you are unable to complete the online process, you must contact the Department to organise a possible alternative. Please contact the Department for more information.

Eligibility requirements

You must submit an application form for assessment, which includes:

  • your proof of Identity
  • your address for the last five years
  • the name, postal and physical addresses of each organisation you intend to do child-related work for
  • the type of work that is involved
  • passport photograph
  • the application fees.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

You will need to advise the Department of any changes in circumstances, such as:

 

  • your name or address details
  • your status as an employee or volunteer
  • moving to new employment
  • any criminal offence charges against you.

A person with an application must notify the secretary of changes within 21 days of becoming aware of the changed or penalties will apply.

Duration

Five years. Applicants will continue to be checked for new offences and disciplinary findings by professional registration bodies.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $128.20

Fees for 2023-24

Lodgement process

Apply

Complete your application form to generate an application summary. Lodge this document and present your Proof of Identification at an Australia Post outlet to finalise the application process. Please consult the responsible agency for more information.

Approval time

Please allow three weeks for the assessment process and delivery of your card.

Administering agency

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Contact details

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