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About the Check

The Working with Children (WWC) Check commenced operation in April 2006.

It contributes to the safety of Victoria’s children when they are being cared for, or participating in a range of activities, by seeking to prevent those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work.

The Working with Children Act 2005 requires that people who work or volunteer in certain child-related work apply for, and pass, a WWC Check. It aims to strike a balance between protecting children under 18 years of age, promoting volunteering and safeguarding the rights of individuals.

 Applicants records are checked for any criminal offences specified in the Act. They are also checked for findings by specified professional disciplinary bodies which are the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the out of home carers Suitability Panel and relevant determinations under the Health Professions Registration Act 2005 by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).Criminal offences not specified in the Act can also be considered if exceptional circumstances exist and there is a significant link between the offence and a risk to the safety of children. 

Benefits of the Check

The benefits of the WWC Check include:

•  Ongoing checking of a person’s criminal record while the person’s WWC Check is valid. The department is also advised during the term of the WWC Check of any relevant findings made against a person by the out of home carers Suitability Panel, or against a person currently registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and of relevant determinations by VCAT
• Providing employers, volunteer organisations and agencies with the ability to verify the validity of WWC Check cards at any time 
• WWC Check cards are valid for five years (unless suspended or revoked sooner because of a relevant change in the holder’s circumstances, or voluntarily surrendered by the holder) 
• Card holders do not need to apply for a new WWC Check when they change their employer or volunteer organisation, unless they are moving from volunteer to paid work. However, card holders are required to notify the Department of Justice within 21 days of a change in the employer, volunteer organisation or agency they work with, or any additional employer, volunteer organisation or agency they start work with.