Working with Children Check
Administered by: Department of Communities / Working with Children Screening Unit
When is this licence required?
You will need a Working with Children (WWC) Check to engage in paid or unpaid child-related work in Western Australia and the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The WWC Check assesses the criminal records and other relevant information about people who engage in child-related work to see if there is an unacceptable risk of harm to children.
You are considered to be in child-related work if the usual duties of the work involve or are likely to involve contact with a child in connection with one of the categories below and no exemptions apply:
- Child care service
- Community kindergarten
- Educational institution for children
- Coaching or private tuition service
- Arrangement for the accommodation or care of children
- Placement arrangement or secure care arrangement
- Performance by an officer (of the Department of Communities)
- Detention centre
- Community child health service
- Counselling or other support service
- Religious organisation
- Club, association or movement with significant membership or involvement of children
- Ward of a public or private hospital where children are ordinarily patients
- Baby sitting or child minding service
- Overnight camp
- Transport service specifically for children
- School crossing service
- Children's entertainment or party service.
You can find more information regarding these categories on the WWC website.
What are the ongoing eligibility requirements for this licence?
While holding a WWC Card, any relevant change (including criminal charges or reportable conduct) will result in a re-assessment of your eligibility to continue to engage in child-related work.
How much does this licence cost?
| Task | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | Application | $87.00 | Self-employed and paid workers. Fees for 2024-25 |
| Initial | Application | $11.00 | Volunteers and unpaid workers. Fees for 2024-25 |
| General | Duplicate Certificate | $11.00 | Fees for 2024-25 |
How often do you need to apply for this licence?
3 years
Are there any specific application requirements?
| Task | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial | You can obtain an application form from the nearest authorised Australian Post outlet or you can obtain one by contacting the WWC Screening Unit. |
| Initial | To make your application you must:
|
| Renew | There are two ways you can renew your WWC Card:
|
What resources provide more information?
| Task | Type | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Comply | Application Guidance | Working With Children Check - Resources and Guides: Fact Sheets and Other Resources |
| Initial | Application Guidance | Working with Children Check - Application and Renewal Process |
What legislation specifies this licence?
Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004 (Western Australia)
Working with Children (Screening) Regulations 2005 (Western Australia)
Who can you talk to for more information?
Enquiries
Department of Communities / Working with Children Screening Unit
| Mailing address | PO BOX 8553 Perth BC, Western Australia 6849 |
| Phone | 1800 883 979 |
| checkquery@communities.wa.gov.au | |
| Business website | Working with Children Screening Unit |
More Information
The Small Business Development Corporation does not provide legal advice. The materials present on the SBDC website are provided voluntarily as a service to our clients and do not constitute legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought when appropriate.
The information and advice provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of release on the internet. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed within the website and that they should verify all relevant representations, statements and information.
By accessing information at or through this site each user waives and releases the SBDC, the State of Western Australia, and their respective officers, employees, and agents to the full extent permitted by law from any and all claims (including claims in negligence) relating to the usage of the material made available through the website, including in regards to any omission and/or errors. In no event shall the SBDC, the State of Western Australia, or its respective officers, employees or agents be liable for any incident or consequential damages resulting from use of, or reliance on the material.