To protect children from potential harm or sexual abuse, all people who work directly with children under 18 years of age must have a WWC Check unless an exemption applies.
WWC Checks are carried out by the Social Services Regulator
Who needs a Working with Children Check
The kinds of paid or voluntary work where you may need a WWC Check include:
- childcare, childminding, babysitting, kinship care and child fostering
- children's services
- educational institutions
- paediatric wards
- clubs and religious organisations
- transport services specifically for children
- counselling
- children's party services
- student exchange accommodation services
- coaching or tutoring services for children.
For a complete list of the types of jobs that require a WWC Check, visit Do I need a Working with Children Check? on the Victorian Government website.
It is against the law to do child-related work without first getting a WWC Check. If you have applied for a check, you may be able to do child-related work while you wait for your application to be decided. Visit Working whilst the application is being processed on the Victorian Government website.
When a Working with Children Check is not needed
The following people do not need a WWC check:
- People under 18.
- Parent volunteers (if their child ordinarily participates in the activity).
- People closely related to each child they have contact with in their child-related work, for example a grandparent. This exclusion does not apply if the person is a kinship carer. A person who works as a kinship carer must hold a WWC Check.
- 18-year-old and 19-year-old students doing volunteer work organised by the student’s educational institution.
As they are already checked in a similar way, exemptions also apply to:
- sworn police officers
- teachers registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
There is a full list of exemptions at Do I need a Working with Children Check? on the Victorian Government website. The exemptions do not apply to people who have failed the check and have been given a WWC Exclusion.
How to apply for a Working with Children Check
To apply for a WWC Check, you must fill in the online application form on the Victorian Government website. You will also need to prove your identity, either online or at a post office.
After completing the form, you will get an email with instructions on how to finalise your application at a post office. A passport photo is needed for your application and this will be taken at the post office free of charge.
If you are applying for an employee you will need to pay an application fee. You will also need to prove your identity, either online or at a post office.
What is checked
Criminal history and charges
The WWC Check considers criminal history so that people with specific offences and charges are not allowed to work directly with children. These people are given a WWC Exclusion which means they are excluded from working with children.
Not all offences, charges or allegations will result in a WWC Exclusion. Offences are categorised according the potential risk to children.
The offences that are most relevant to the check are:
- serious sexual offences
- violence offences
- drug offences
- offences that are considered to present an unjustifiable risk to the safety of children.
These charges may still be considered as part of the WWC Check even if you were not convicted or found guilty of the offence.
Spent convictions may also be considered.
Information from other organisations
Other information for the WWC Check can come from:
- professional disciplinary bodies – for instance, professional conduct findings
- courts and tribunals – for instance, family violence intervention orders
- other government agencies – for instance, child protection or family violence information from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Child safety risk information
The Social Services Regulator may also consider child safety risk information. This includes information from Victoria Police about suspected criminal activity, even if a person has not been charged with or convicted of an offence. It also includes information in child protection reports.
When you apply for a WWC Check, you consent to the Social Services Regulator gathering child safety risk information about you.
Read things you need to know for more information about what is checked.
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change while you are waiting for the WWC Check to be finished, you will need to let the Social Services Regulator know.
If you pass the WWC Check you also need to tell the Social Services Regulator if circumstances change.
New offences must be reported within seven days
If you hold Working with Children Clearance, you must notify both the Social Services Regulator and your employer if you are charged with a serious offence. Penalties apply if you fail to notify them within seven days of the change.
Notify changes to name, address or contact details
After lodging your application, or passing the Working with Children Check, you must notify the department within 21 days if there are any changes to your name, address or contact phone number.
Read more about your responsibilities at information for cardholders.
If you pass the Working with Children Check
If you pass the WWC Check, the Social Services Regulator will issue a WWC Clearance and you will be sent a card in the mail.
How long does the Working with Children Clearance last
The WWC Clearance lasts for five years.
If you fail the Working with Children Check
If you fail the WWC Check, the Social Services Regulator will issue a WWC Exclusion. This means that you are prevented from doing any child-related work for a period of five years, unless your circumstances change.
After five years, you can reapply for a WWC Check.
If there is a relevant change of circumstances, you can make another application for a check without waiting five years. For example, if you were charged with an offence but were found not guilty, or if charges were withdrawn.
If the Social Services Regulator believes you are an unjustifiable risk to children, it will tell you that it intends to issue an Interim WWC Exclusion. This gives you the opportunity to ask the Social Services Regulator to consider why you think you should pass the check. If the Social Services Regulator considers these reasons and you fail, you will be issued with a Final WWC Exclusion which prohibits you from working with children. If you do not provide any reasons in response to an Interim WWC Exclusion, the Social Services Regulator must issue you with a Final WWC Exclusion.
If you receive an Interim WWC Exclusion, it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer before you respond to the Social Services Regulator. You cannot work with children if you have received an Interim WWC Exclusion.
If you disagree with a Working with Children Exclusion
Read about your options if you disagree with a Working with Children Exclusion.
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