business.gov.au

Application for a blue card - Queensland

Description

You will need a blue card to work, volunteer or operate a business with or involving children unless a valid exemption applies. You must have your blue card before you start work with children. The blue card system regulates specific services and activities relevant to children to ensure safe environments are created. The blue card system applies to all activities and services under these categories:

  • care of children under the Child Protection Act 1999
  • child accommodation services
  • childcare services
  • churches, clubs and associations
  • business relating to licensed care services under the Child protection Act 1999
  • disability work
  • education and care services
  • education programs conducted outside of school
  • education services and activities conducted inside a school
  • emergency services cadet program
  • entertainment, beauty and photography services
  • health, counselling and support services
  • hostels for children other than a residential facility
  • justice and detention services
  • non-state schools - directors of governing bodies and authorised persons
  • private teaching, coaching or tutoring
  • religious representatives
  • residential facilities
  • schools
  • school boarding facilities
  • school crossing supervisors
  • sport, active recreation, gyms and play facilities.

Blue card requirements will vary depending on which regulated industry you plan to work, volunteer or operate within.

A person will also need a blue card if they are an executive officer of a corporation that operates a business regulated by one of the categories.

Service type

Licence

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

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a blue card, you must not:

  • have been convicted of a disqualifying offence under schedule 4 or 5 of the Act
  • be a reportable offender with current reporting obligations
  • be subject to a child protection offender prohibition order
  • be prohibited by a court from applying for or holding a blue card
  • be subject to a sexual offender order

If any of the above apply to you, you cannot start or continue:

  • paid or voluntary child related work
  • child related business regulated by the blue card system
  • paid or voluntary work in restricted employment.

If you are a blue card holder and there is a relevant change in your eligibility, you will become a disqualified person and unable to engage in your business or employment regarding children. You must immediately notify the agency if there is a change in your police information.

Duration

3 years

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $104.70

Blue card application (excluding volunteers, students or exemption card applicants). Fees for 2025-26
Apply Application All -

No fees are required for volunteers, students or exemption cards.
Apply Application All $15.00

Existing disability worker screening clearance applying for a blue card using the DWS form. Fees for 2025-26
Apply Miscellaneous All $104.70

Eligibility declaration. Fees for 2025-26
Cancel Cancellation All $104.70

Cancel a negative notice. Fees for 2025-26
General Duplicate Certificate All $15.85

Replacement card - all applicants. Fees for 2025-26
Vary Variation All $104.70

Change from volunteer or student to paid employment or business operation. Fees for 2025-26

Application process

Apply

You can apply for a blue card or exemption card by using the online applicant portal or downloading the paper form.

Approval time

For applications with no criminal history or other concerning information, most are approved within five days. The physical blue card is then forwarded by post and can take up to 21 days to receive.

Administering agency

Department of Justice

Contact details

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