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Your Privacy

The Department of Justice will only use the information obtained through Working with Children (WWC) Checks as permitted by law.

The Working with Children Check Unit at the Department of Justice is bound by Victorian privacy laws (Information Privacy Act 2000 and Health Records Act 2001).

Under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, your personal information (including information obtained from police and the Victorian Institute of Teaching) may also be disclosed to the Child Safety Commissioner, who is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the administration of the Working with Children Act 2005.

Under the Working with Children Act, it is an offence to disclose any information acquired during the check. However, the Act does allow certain circumstances where disclosure may be allowed. For example:

• in good faith for carrying out the purposes of the Act
• in good faith to assist in making employment-related decisions in relation to child-related work
• in good faith for the purposes of a reference check on the applicant for child-related work
• as required or authorised by another Act
• to courts or tribunals during legal proceedings and where the WWC Check Unit needs to obtain legal advice or representation
• where a court or tribunal makes an order for the disclosure of information
• with your written consent.

Note: If you have a criminal record, the Department of Justice will not disclose the details of your criminal record to your employer or agency without your consent. If you are issued with an Interim Negative Notice or Negative Notice, your employer will also receive a copy of the notice. This will not include any information about your criminal record.

More information on privacy

Please see the privacy information on the Department of Justice website and the Website Privacy Statement.