Working with children - Blue Card

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian requires people who work with children (under 18 years of age) in particular categories of paid and voluntary employment or carrying on particular businesses to undergo screening through the 'Working with Children Check'. If a person is eligible to work with children then they will receive a positive notice and a Working with Children Blue Card.

Before you can attend your first professional experience placement, you must hold a valid Blue Card.

It is essential that you don’t delay in lodging your application. The screening process can take up to 12 weeks or more and we recommend that this be the first activity you undertake at the commencement of your studies.

Further information is available on:

• How to apply for a Blue Card (PDF 344KB) 
• How to renew your Blue Card (PDF 358KB) - A renewal application can be submitted up to 16 weeks before the expiry date and must be lodged no later than 6 weeks prior to the expiry of the card or this will delay placement for professional experience. The rules governing the process to renew a Blue Card as a student for Professional Experience are different to those rules for paid employees that require a Blue Card.
• The process to follow if you already have a Blue Card (PDF 352KB)

Disqualified persons

Certain people are disqualified up front from applying for a Blue Card. It is an offence for a 'disqualified person' to apply for a Blue Card. Penalties of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $37,500 may apply if a 'disqualified person' signs a Blue Card application form.

For information regarding disqualifying offences, please telephone the Blue Card Contact Centre on 1800 113 611 or go to the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian website.