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How the Check is Different from a Police Records Check

There are four major differences between the Working with Children (WWC) Check and a standard police records check.

• Not all offences are of concern to the WWC Check. The WWC Check primarily considers serious sexual, violent and drug offences, but may also consider other relevant offences.
• While a standard Police Records Check gives information about a person’s past criminal record, the WWC Check conducts ongoing monitoring of all cardholders. This means the Department of Justice is notified of new offences and charges made against cardholders. The department will re-assess a person’s eligibility to hold a WWC Check card if the new charges, convictions or findings are relevant to the Check.
• A new WWC Check is not required when you change your employer or volunteer organisation unless you move from a volunteer to a paid position. The WWC Check is valid for five years, unless revoked, suspended or surrendered during that time. However, when you change your place of child-related employment or volunteer work, you must inform the department of the organisation’s details, in writing, within 21 days of the change.
• The WWC Check also considers relevant determinations of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal under the Health Professions Registration Act 2005 and findings made against a person by a prescribed professional disciplinary body. Currently, these are the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the out of home carers Suitability Panel.