Pre-Employment Volunteer Screening
It is common practice for most not-for-profit organisations to request some form of pre-employment compliance check for their potential volunteers.  Depending on the organisation and the role, it may be a:
  • Working with Children Check
  • Working with Vulnerable People Check
  • Child Safe eLearning Course
  • National Police Check
  • Driving History
Obtaining these checks is not a daunting task however we aim to make the process as simple as possible for you. We have provided information on the process, how they each work, who is eligible and who is exempt and have included links to frequently asked questions and the online application forms.
How to Apply for a NSW Working with Children Check
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​When applying for a WWCC for the purpose of volunteering, there is no fee. The application process for a new WWCC application is as follows;
  1. Complete the online application form (link below)
  2. Take your email receipt, your proof of identity documents and to a Service NSW 
  3. Your WWCC application will undergo screening
  4. Once you receive your WWCC, give your WWC number to your employer to verify your details online​
  5. A WWCC is valid for 5 years.
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How to Renew your WWCC
​If you are renewing your WWCC after 5 years, please renew, do not re-apply. You will need the exact details entered on your original application to update or renew your WWCC. The email you receive when you are granted a WWCC clearance has the details you will need, including your Working with Children Check number for future reference so be sure to store it somewhere secure.
Proof of Identity Process
When you apply for or renew a NSW WWCC, you must prove your identity. The documents you use to prove your identity allows the Office of the Childrens Guardian to:
  • conduct a national criminal history check
  • gather any findings of misconduct by a reporting body or the NSW Ombudsman and all information necessary to assess your application
  • be assured you are who you say you are

Identity Documents 
Take all your identity documents to a Service NSW Centre to have your identity verified.  Make sure that :
  • all documents are in the same name (if not, a change of name or marriage certificate will be required)
  • documents must be the original document and must not be laminated
  • documents must be current and include at least one photo ID.
You must visit a Service NSW Centre within 28 days of completing the online application form.
Working with Vulnerable People Check - WWVP
Every community has its vulnerable population and it is the responsibility of the people, the community and the government to ensure that they are not manipulated, coerced or "bullied" out of their rights. This is why in some States and Territories, it is mandatory by legislation to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People check. The Working with Vulnerable People check is a pre-employment check in some Australian States and Territories to help reduce crime, sexual offences, improper behaviours and harm to the vulnerable members of our society.

​Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Check in NSW
​There is currently no specific legislation covering working with vulnerable people checks (WWVP) however the registration required for an individual to be eligible to work with children is referred to as the Working with Children Check (WWCC). The check remains valid for 5 years and the applicant is continuously monitored to see if they are eligible to maintain their registration.

See the Working with Children section above for details on applying for a WWCC.
Office of the Childrens Guardian - Child Safe E-Learning 
For HNS Internal Volunteers
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​ChildSafe E-Learning Instructions
  • Click on the Link below to get started
  • Scroll down to First Time Users and Select Register
  • Set up your password protected profile and then select Register
  • Once you have completed your profile, choose eLearning Courses
  • Select Child safe eLearning – Keeping children safe in organisations
  • There are 11 units, you only need to complete 9 of these units as the last 2 units are for HR/Management
  • Once you have successfully passed all 9 units, you will be forwarded a Certificate of Completion.
  • Email your Certificate to [email protected]
  • If you have any questions or need assistance, please make contact with us 

**For those who are not comfortable with completing this on their own, please give us a call.  We would be happy for you to come into the office and set up your profile and do the Course together.

Phone: 6584 1917
[email protected]
The Volunteer Resource Centre workdays are Tuesday's and Thursday's from 8am to 3pm.
National Police Check
If you are a potential volunteer or an organisation looking to obtain a National Police Check, there are several different organisations that can provide this service and their costs can vary.

The Centre for Volunteering has partnered with the NSW Police Force to offer volunteers and organisations a National Police Check at the reduced rate of $15. Once obtained, this check remains in the applicant’s personal portfolio and can be used towards future volunteering applications and endeavours.

Who is it for

​For individuals you must be:
  • 14-years old or over when applying
  • A permanent resident of NSW
Please note this is for NSW residents only. If you live outside NSW, you can apply for a national police check in your state or territory.

For Organisations you must be:
For organisations you must be:
  • A NSW registered organisation or a national organisation with its head office located in NSW and hold an ABN/ACN
  • Demonstrate that checks are required for employment, licencing, volunteers, adoption and/or probity purposes
  • Agree to the terms and conditions of registration outlined in the P828 application form.
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How it's works
All applicants will need:
For Individuals wanting to apply, you will need to:
  • Complete an Expression of Interest. You will be asked for your first name, last name, email address and purpose for volunteering as well as a contact number.
  • Once your Expression of Interest is processed (usually within 2 to 3 business days) you will receive a secure link to your elected email address. Follow the prompts, complete the application using your ID documents and make your payment. Once your application has been approved you will receive your National Police Check certificate.

Please Note: 
If you don’t use this secure link within 7 days of issue, you will need to notify The Centre for Volunteering for a new link to be sent.
  • The majority of National Police Checks are completed within the hour, however for some applications, it may take up to 10 business days to process.
  • If you have any questions regarding lodgement of your application, please contact the team at Criminal Records NSW Police Force on 02 8835 7888.
  • If you need a criminal record check for Australian citizenship, residency, spouse visa, guardianship of a child from another country, working visa, or while travelling or living abroad, you can apply online via the Australian Federal Police website.
​You can apply by clicking on the relevant links below.
Frequently Asked Questions
CLICK BELOW
National Police Certificate Verification
The National Police Check verification service verifies the authenticity of a National Police Certificate. Please use the National Police Certificate Number, Application Number and Last Name on the Certificate and click the Verify button to validate the certificate.

The National Police Check verification will show details of the matching certificate. If you are unable to validate the certificate details, the result will display "match not found". The Applicant should contact Criminal Records for further assistance.
Organisations
​Information Pack
To authenticate a NSWPF issued National Police Check Certificate, please click on the button below.
​Applications submitted prior to the 9 February 2021 cannot be verified using this verification service.
Obtaining your NSW Driving History
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A driving record is a history of offences recorded against your licence, and you're able to buy a copy of your own record if you need it.

You can order 2 types of driving record online:
  • an uncertified driving record that cannot be used for legal proceedings, or
  • a certified driving record that can be used for legal proceedings.
Note: Certified driving records will be posted to you at the mailing address recorded with Transport for NSW – they should be received within 10 to 14 days.

Eligibility
  • NSW driver licence holders who have a MyServiceNSW Account.
  • NSW residents who have previously held a NSW driver licence and wish to access their driving record.

What you need
  • a MyServiceNSW Account. If your account is new or you haven't previously entered them, you'll also need:
    • your NSW driver licence details, or
    • the plate number of a vehicle registered in your name
    • your payment.

If you're unable to order online, you will need
  • the PDF form – 'Access to Own Personal Records Application'
  • proof of identity documents (such as passport, Photo Card)
  • detailed description of the information you'd like to access
  • your payment.

How to order online
Select the 'Order online' button.
  1. Log in or create your MyServiceNSW Account. Enter your NSW driver licence details if your account is new or you haven't previously entered them.
  2. Read and accept the Terms and Conditions.
  3. Select 'Buy a certified driving record' or 'Buy an uncertified driving record'.
  4. Check and confirm your order details.
  5. Enter your payment details.
  6. Print your transaction receipt, and:
    • download your uncertified driving record, and
    • your certified driving record will be posted to you within 10 to 14 business days (if applicable).

In person at a Services NSW Office
  1. Make sure you attach all the required documents.
  2. Visit a service centre and submit your application with payment in person or send to the contact details on the form.
    • Uncertified driving records are available immediately.
    • Certified driving records will be posted to you within 10 to 14 business days.

More Information
  • Only the certified driving record can be used as evidence in legal proceedings or in a court of law. You cannot use an uncertified driving record in court or for a driver licence disqualification application.
  • If you require the record to be mailed to a state other than NSW, you'll need to order via post, using Access to Own Personal Records Application – PDF.
  • When you buy a certified driving record, you automatically get an uncertified driving record as well.
  • If you buy an uncertified driving record, it will be available immediately, and for 7 days.

Payment Methods
You can review transaction payment options on the Service NSW webpage payment methods page.

Documents
Links
Sample of NSW Certified Driving Record
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Police Checks and child safety screening programs work?
In Australia, approved agencies are only able to check someone's criminal history or any reports on their professional conduct if they have the informed consent of the individual involved. Police Checks carried out in each state and territory provide a nationwide screening of criminal history information.

The WWCC or WWVPC and the Police Check may be separate checks depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in Victoria, they are separate checks, whereas in New South Wales, a WWCC includes a National Police Check. Employers may require individuals to obtain both checks. 

Most jurisdictions across Australia offer one certification type to individuals engaged in child-related work (NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA). All certifications are valid for a set length of time (between 2 and 5 years) and are subject to ongoing monitoring of an individual’s suitability for child-related work.

This means that if a relevant criminal offence is committed during the validity of the check or if the individual is subject to relevant work-related disciplinary procedures, the administering authority may inform employers of the offence and alter or withdraw an individual’s entitlement to work with children.

Individuals can carry their certification between positions without undergoing repeated screening while their WWCC is valid but not between jurisdictions
Who must undergo pre-employment child safety screening?
All jurisdictions in Australia have some form of child-related employment or volunteering pre-screening legislation. These laws make it mandatory for certain individuals engaged in occupations such as education and childcare, child protection, child and family welfare, health, entertainment and recreation, and religious services to meet screening requirements. There are differences across the states and territories about who is required to undergo screening and how different occupations are identified. The requirements of each jurisdiction are summarised in the sections below. If you are unsure whether you need to obtain a WWCC, contact the relevant body in your state or territory. State and territory contact details are provided below.
Are there other child safety requirements for my job?
In addition to child-related employment pre-screening legislation, all states and territories have legislation that requires people who wish to register in certain occupations (e.g. teachers, doctors or child care workers) to be screened for criminal offences. This means that even if child-related employment pre-screening legislation did not exist, there are still requirements for individuals working in certain occupations to undergo screening (e.g. in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic); Medical Practitioners Registration Act 2001 (Qld); Child Care Act 2001 (Tas)). Where professional registration requirements require screening, certain persons are exempt from the WWCC (e.g. in Victoria, persons registered under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006).
Organisations may also have developed their own policies that require employees and volunteers to undergo National Police Checks. State and territory police provide criminal history checks to individuals and organisations wishing to obtain Police Checks for employment, voluntary work and occupation-related licensing or registration purposes.
What is the difference between a Police Check ANd a Working with Children Check? 
WWCCs and WWVPCs generally involve a criminal history check, screening of reports on individual’s professional conduct and assessment of other relevant information such as the presence of any court orders. Applicants will either pass or fail a screening check. 
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In contrast, Police Checks are not an assessment. They only provide information up to the date of issue, while WWCCs and WWVPCs are a certification that can last several years. A Police Check alone will not allow an individual to do child-related work in Australia. Police Checks identify and release relevant criminal history information relating to convictions, findings of guilt or pending court proceedings.
However, due to spent conviction/non-disclosure legislation and information release policies, there are limitations on the information a Police Check can provide. 

WWCCs are both more extensive and more targeted than Police Checks, as the purpose of a WWCC is to assess the level of risk an individual poses to children's safety. For example, WWCCs draw together information from various sources but with a primary focus on certain types of offences (e.g. sexual offences, offences related to the harm or mistreatment of a child). In general, WWCCs consider:
  • convictions – whether or not they are considered spent or were committed by a juvenile
  • apprehended violence orders and other orders, prohibitions or reporting obligations
  • charges (i.e. where a conviction has not been recorded because; for example, a proceeding has not been heard or finalised by a court, or where charges have been dismissed or withdrawn)
  • relevant allegations or police investigations involving the individual
  • relevant employment proceedings and disciplinary information from professional organisations (e.g. organisations associated with teachers, child care service providers, foster carers and health practitioners).
Is my pre-employment screening transferable between jurisdictions?
WWCCs and WWVPCs are not transferable between states and territories. Organisations or individuals that work or volunteer with children across state or territory boundaries need to ensure that they have the appropriate clearance checks and screenings for each separate jurisdiction. Exemptions to this requirement exist in some cases for visitors who work interstate for a brief period and have a valid check from their original state or territory. Where applicable, these exemptions are outlined in the jurisdiction summaries below.
What are the limitations of pre-employment screening?Policy and legislation that provide for the pre-employment and volunteer screening of adults who work or volunteer in child-related organisations are important for creating and maintaining child-safe organisations. However, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has found the schemes operating in Australia to be inconsistent and complex. The Royal Commission report highlights several issues including inadequate information sharing and monitoring of WWCCs across jurisdictions; the non-transferability of WWCCs across jurisdictions; and the inability of screening agencies to access WWCC decisions in other jurisdictions (Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2015). A set of National Standards for WWCCs were endorsed by state and territory ministers, in part in response to the need for greater national consistency. However, there are still differences in regulations across jurisdictions.
What are the limitations of pre-employment screening?
Policy and legislation that provide for the pre-employment and volunteer screening of adults who work or volunteer in child-related organisations are important for creating and maintaining child-safe organisations. However, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has found the schemes operating in Australia to be inconsistent and complex.

The Royal Commission report highlights several issues including inadequate information sharing and monitoring of WWCCs across jurisdictions; the non-transferability of WWCCs across jurisdictions; and the inability of screening agencies to access WWCC decisions in other jurisdictions (Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2015).

​A set of National Standards for WWCCs were endorsed by state and territory ministers, in part in response to the need for greater national consistency. However, there are still differences in regulations across jurisdictions.
What role do organisations have in protecting children?
Organisations play an important role in protecting children, beyond adhering to pre-employment screening and volunteer regulations. WWCCs, WWVPCs and Police Checks should be implemented in conjunction with other measures to minimise the risk to children's safety.

These additional measures may include pre-employment interviews, thorough reference checks, policy development for child-safe environments, and robust accountability frameworks for responding to allegations of misconduct.

In 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission released the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2017). These principles are considered fundamental to making an organisation safe for children and are intended to ensure a nationally consistent approach for all organisations that work or have contact with children.

All organisations working with or coming into contact with children are encouraged to become a child safe organisation (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2018). (For more information on child safe organisations and links to resources for organisations, see the CFCA short article: Child safe organisations: Information for organisations on how to keep children safe .) WWCCs, WWVPCs and Police Checks should be implemented in conjunction with these principles. 
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In 2020, the Australian National Office for Child Safety released the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (2nd ed). This framework sets out minimum standards for Commonwealth entities to create and maintain behaviours and practices that are safe for children. The framework includes 4 key requirements and guidance for implementation: (a) conducting an annual risk assessment and mitigation, (b) training and compliance with the framework and relevant legislation (including with WWCC/WWVP legislation), (c) adopting and implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and (d) publishing an annual statement of compliance.
Working with Children Legislation - NSW

Working with Children Check (WWCC) is valid for 5 years

Who is required to obtain a check
  • employees and volunteers aged 18 years or older working in child-related roles, where contact with children is a usual part of the work, and not just incidental
  • adults who reside or stay regularly on the property of an authorised carer, home-based education and care service providers, family daycare service providers, potential adoptive parents, and heads (e.g. chief executive officers) of organisations captured by the Child Safe Scheme

  Exemptions

A WWCC is not required if a person engages in a child-related role and:
  • is under the age of 18 years
  • works for a period of not more than a total of 5 working days in a calendar year, if the work involves minimal direct contact with children or is supervised when children are present
  • carries out the work in the course of an informal domestic arrangement that is not carried out on a professional or commercial basis
  • engages in work that only involves direct contact with children who are close relatives of the worker, other than a worker who carries out the work in the capacity of an authorised carer
  • is a parent or close relative of a child when volunteering at their children’s usual school and extra-curricular activities (except where the person is providing personal care for children with disabilities, participating in a formal mentoring program or at an overnight camp for children)
  • is a police officer or a member of the Australian Federal Police when working in his or her capacity as a police officer
  • is a health practitioner in private practice, if the provision of services by the practitioner in the course of that practice does not ordinarily involve treatment of children without one or more other adults present
  • is a co-worker or work supervisor of a child unless the worker is engaged in community justice child placement work or works as an inspector carrying out works under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008.
  • is a home care worker who holds a police certificate that is current for the purposes of the Accountability Principles 1998 made under the Aged Care Act 1997 of the Commonwealth and if their work is home care worker and the clients are not primarily children
  • is working in and visiting NSW from outside the state for the purposes of a one-off event (e.g. jamboree, sporting or religious event) 
  • is a health practitioner working in and visiting NSW from outside the state and works 5 days or less in any 3-month period
  • holds an interstate WWCC in the jurisdiction in which the person ordinarily resides, or is exempt from the requirement to have such a check in that jurisdiction, and works 30 days or less in NSW 
  • is a visiting speaker, adjudicator, performer, assessor or other similar visitor at a school or other place where child-related work is carried out and if the work of the person at that place is for a one-off occasion and is carried out in the presence of one or more other adults
  • for short-term emergencies, where an employer deems it is necessary for a worker to engage with children to prevent an increased risk to the safety of children, but not for longer than 5 consecutive days.
The Children's Guardian has the discretion to grant a ‘continuing residence approval’ to a person who turns 18 while residing with an authorised carer and has been refused a WWCC clearance.
The Children’s Guardian must be satisfied that an appropriate risk mitigation plan is in place. The approval will allow the person to continue residing with the authorised carer in that placement.

What Services or Sectors need to Register?

Services or sectors that need workers to have WWCC clearances:
  • child development, including mentoring or counselling services
  • child protection
  • children's health services (including  wards of hospitals where children are treated)
  • clubs, associations, movements or other bodies (including cultural, recreational or of a sporting nature) providing programs or services for children 
    disability including respite care or other support services for children with a disability
  • early education and child care services
  • education services (including schools, private coaching or tuition of children)
  • entertainment, including sporting and cultural venues and services used primarily by children
  • justice services
  • religious organisations
  • residential services (including refuges used by children, long-term home stays, boarding houses and overnight camps)
  • transport services for children (e.g. school bus services, school-crossing supervisors).

In addition, the following roles are also defined as child-related work roles: an approved provider or manager of education and care services; a nominated supervisor of education and care services; heads of child safe organisations; an authorised carer; an assessment officer; the principal officer of a designated agency; and the principal officer of an accredited adoption service provider.

Information Considered in the Screening Check Includes:
  • national criminal history, including:
    • convictions (spent or unspent)
    • charges (whether heard, unheard or dismissed)
    • juvenile records
  • any findings of misconduct by a relevant entity, including: (a) sexual misconduct or offence committed against, with or in the presence of a child, including grooming a child, and (b) any serious physical assault of a child. 
  • a National Police Check is part of the WWCC

Note: Under the Reportable Conduct Scheme relevant entities must notify the Office of the Children’s Guardian when they become aware of any reportable allegations or convictions made against relevant employees, volunteers or contractors (where a Working With Children Check is required). A workplace investigation must be completed.

Having a criminal record does not necessarily bar you from working with children. You can still apply for a WWCC. The outcome of the WWCC will depend on the type of criminal or workplace records you have.
The Act outlines the type of records that require further assessment (see Schedule 1) or will result in an automatic bar (see Schedule 2). Also see The Office of the Children's Guardian NSW website for further information.

Worker and Employer Obligations
  • Individuals are required to provide original, current proof-of-identity documents when applying or renewing their WWCC.
  • Individuals are legally required to update their contact details within 3 months of changes being made. 
  • Employers operating within a child-related industry are required to register online with the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG). 
  • Employers are required to identify the roles which require a WWCC and provide information relevant to an assessment of whether a person poses a risk to the safety of children in response to a request from the OCG.
  • Employers must verify that their workers or volunteers who work with children have a WWCC or have applied for one, and that checks are renewed when required. Workers whose WWCC cannot be verified must be removed from work with children.
  • Employers must keep up-to-date records for each worker or volunteer who works with children, including: their full name, date of birth, WWCC number, verification date, verification outcome, expiry dates, their work status.
  • Penalties may apply for non-compliance.

Who Makes the Application for a WWCC?
Individuals are responsible for their own application for certification.
For more information Working with Children Check – Office of the Children's Guardian
Where to apply Online: How to apply for a WWCC – Office of the Children's Guardian or click the link below.
For more information about any of the Pre-employment Compliance Checks or have a general enquiry about volunteering, please contact us by completing the form below, calling the VRC on 6584 1917 or send us an email - [email protected].

    Pre-employment Volunteer Screening Enquiry Form