Working with Children Check
In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm.
The Working with Children (WWC) Check creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria. The WWC Check helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work.
If you work or volunteer with children you may need to apply for a WWC Check. Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies must ensure that any of their staff or volunteers who need a WWC Check have applied by the due date.
The WWC Check is being phased in over five years. If you need a WWC Check, you must apply by the due date for your field of child-related work. The next due date is 30 June 2010.
Important information regarding the WWC Check application form
Filling in your application form? Reached Question 11? Please note that Code 42 no longer exists. If you do use this code, it may delay the processing of your application. For a list of current codes, refer to page 6 of the application form. Otherwise you can also view the list of codes by going to the 'List of Occupational Fields' link under the 'Focus On' menu on the right hand side of this page.
When to Apply
The Working with Children (WWC) Check is being phased in from 2006 to 2011. Each year different child-related occupational fields will be introduced. If you are required to pass the WWC Check, you must apply by the due date or you may be subject to penalties under the Working with Children Act. You can lodge your application at any time before the due date.
Note: If you work or volunteer in two or more occupational fields, you must apply by the earliest of the two or more due dates.
The next deadline for applications for the WWC Check is 30 June 2010. Applications for those people undertaking ‘child-related work’ as defined in section 9 of the Working with Children Act 2005 in connection with the following occupational fields must be made by this date:
Clubs, associations or movements of a recreational or sporting nature in connection with all remaining sport and recreation groups not previously phased-in that :
- provide services or conduct activities for, or directed at, children, or
- whose membership is mainly comprised of children
Coaching or tuition services of any kind for children.
For other occupational fields and deadlines, see the WWC Check ‘Phasing-in schedule’ under the ‘Focus On’ menu on the right hand side of this page.