Introduction
The Working with Children Check is an NSW requirement for anyone who volunteers in child-related work. It involves a criminal history record check and may also include a review of past incidents of misconduct that were not reported to the police. Police checks take up to 4 weeks to process. The outcome of a criminal background check is either a bar against working with children or a clearance to work with children. The check aims to prevent sexually abusive individuals from working with children.
The check will be valid for five years, but the applicant will be checked regularly to make sure the check remains valid. The WWCC requires a fee for paid employees and self-employed persons. The fee is waived for volunteers, students on professional placements, and potential adoptive parents or authorized carers. Applications for the WWCC are available online.
Eligibility for Working with Children Check
- Any person who is 18 years old or more
- Any person whose job involves a direct connection with children
What you need
- Personal data such as date and place of birth
- Following proof of identity documents
- One identity document initiation
- One key use in community documents
- Two minor use in community documents
You must include a signature and photo with at least one of your documents. You must provide original documents that are current at the time of application.
These documents do not meet the standards
- Laminated original paper documents
- Invalid documents
- Photocopies
The digital version of the in New South Wales driver’s license is acceptable.
How to apply for Working with Children Check
- Visit the website.
- Fill out the online application form and you must enter your name exactly as it appears on your identity documents in the form.
- You will need to visit a service center to provide your original identity documents and pay the fee.
After you provide your documents at the service center, they will immediately start the National Police Criminal History check. It might take up to four weeks to complete your criminal record checking.