If you plan to do child-related work in Victoria you'll need to apply for a Working with Children (WWC) Check to obtain a WWC Clearance, unless you're exempt under the Act.
If you pass the WWC Check, you will be issued with a WWC Clearance that is valid for 5 years, unless it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered.
By law, there are some activities or jobs that need a check to obtain a Clearance. If you can’t find your type of activity or work listed, you won’t need a Clearance unless your organisation has asked you to get one.
The purpose of the WWC Check
The WWC Check assists in protecting children from harm by ensuring that people who work with or care for them are subject to a screening process.
Your obligation to apply for a WWC Check Clearance
You are breaking the law if you start child-related work without applying for a WWC Clearance first. Your organisation is also breaking the law if they allow you to engage in child-related work before you have applied for a Clearance.
Volunteer Clearance versus Employee Clearance
There is one assessment process for the WWC Check, but you must choose between two application types depending on the type of Clearance you require:
- Volunteer
- Employee
If you’re getting paid for child-related work (excluding reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses), you’ll need to apply as an employee.
Volunteer Clearance
If you plan to do volunteer child-related work in Victoria (where you're not paid for the work), you’ll likely need a WWC Clearance. Some examples of volunteer child-related work are:
- coaching a sports team
- being a Scout leader
- helping with school-based activities.
We’ve created a list of job categories that need a WWC clearance to help you decide if you need a WWC Clearance.
If you're reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur in doing voluntary work, you are still eligible for this type of Clearance.
Employee Clearance
To do paid child-related work, you might need an employee Clearance. Some examples of paid child-related work are:
- Teacher’s aides
- child care
- child protection services
- healthcare professionals in a hospital paediatric ward.
The employee Clearance covers both paid and volunteer work. In some circumstances, you may not need a WWC Clearance. Find out when exemptions apply.
Costs of the WWC check
Fees from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027
| Type of WWC Clearance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Volunteer Clearance / renewal of volunteer Clearance / replacement of volunteer card | Free |
| Employee Clearance | $139.20 |
| Volunteer to employee Clearance | $139.20 |
| Renewal of employee Clearance | $105.30 |
| Replacement of employee Clearance card | $8.60 |
The Victorian Government has a policy of indexing certain fees each year. You can find out more of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing page Indexation of fees and penalties.
What your card looks like
The card will display your:
- name
- photograph
- card number
- card type
- card expiry date
What your digital card looks like
Your digital card is stored on your Service Vic app.
You can see if someone’s card is current or expired by using the Service Victoria app to scan the QR code on the digital card. A cancelled or suspended card can’t be scanned with the app.
The card will display your:
- name
- photograph
- card number
- card type
- card expiry date
- QR code for scanning
What we look for with the WWC Check
We assess a range of information to determine your suitability for a WWC Clearance.
When you apply, we’ll consider:
- criminal record in all Australian states and territories, including serious sexual, violent and drug offences you have been charged with, regardless of the outcome
- professional conduct findings, including findings made:
- by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
- by the Suitability Panel, established under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, which makes findings related to the suitability of registered out-of-home carers
- under the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
- current or previous reporting obligations or orders under the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 or the Serious Offenders Act 2018.
- any other information that is relevant to assessing child safety risk, including allegations of reportable conduct that have not been substantiated or an investigation has not concluded.
Relevant offences under the Worker Screening Act 2020
The Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) classifies a range of relevant WWC offences into three categories: Category A, Category B and Category C. Category A offences are the most serious. We also screen and monitor every applicant and Clearance holder for any new offences or charges that are relevant under the Act.
When you receive your Clearance
Show your physical or digital card to every organisation you engage in child-related work before you start work so they can verify your clearance.
You are responsible for:
- making sure your personal and organisation’s details are up to date
- not letting anyone else use your check for child-related work
- letting us know if any of your circumstances change, including if you are charged with or found guilty of any offences
- renewing your Clearance before it expires if you are, or will still be doing, child-related work
- changing your Clearance from volunteer to employee if have a volunteer clearance but are going to do paid child-related work.
These tasks can all be done online at Service Vic.
Difference between a Working with Children Check and a Police Check
The Working with Children Check and Police Check are different checks. Depending on what your organisation requires, you might need both.
What is a Police Check?
A Police Check provides a record of a person’s criminal history and other releasable information. You may need a Police Check when you start a new job, volunteer or undertake work experience. An employer may use a Police Check to assess your suitability for work that does not require a WWC Check.
If you need to obtain a Police Check for paid or unpaid work, licences or registration in Victoria, contact Victoria Police.
If you need a Police Check for immigration and visa applications, working overseas, adoption, a Federal Government job, or for any other reason under Commonwealth legislation, contact the Australian Federal Police.
You can get a Police Check online via their website or download an application form to complete.
How is a Working with Children Check different?
Under the Worker Screening Act 2020, if you’re doing doing child-related work and are not otherwise exempt, you must have a WWC Check and receive a WWC Clearance even if you already have a Police Check.
A Police Check provides information about a person’s disclosed criminal history. A WWC Check is a screening and risk assessment to determine whether a person is suitable to engage in child-related work.
The main differences between a Working with Children Check and a Police Check are:
| Working with Children Check | Police Check |
| Determines whether a person is suitable to work with children. | Provides information about a person’s criminal history. |
| Looks beyond criminal convictions to assess risk. | Primarily reports disclosable criminal history and certain other police information. |
| Is valid for five years and includes ongoing monitoring. Clearance holders are continuously monitored, and their Clearance can be suspended or revoked if new relevant information arises. Other regulators and prescribed bodies notify us about changes to your circumstances while you have a Clearance. | Is accurate only at the time it is issued. There is no ongoing monitoring. |
| Takes into account a wide range of information, including certain charges, findings of guilt with or without conviction, relevant professional disciplinary findings, and other information relevant to assessing risk to children. | Generally includes disclosable court outcomes and some pending matters, subject to spent convictions legislation and national police checking rules. |
| You can be issued or denied a WWC Clearance after a WWC Check. | You cannot pass or fail a Police Check. This does not decide whether someone is suitable for a role; it simply reports the information that is releasable. |
| Is mandatory for many child-related occupations and volunteer roles. | May be requested by employers across many industries but is not specific to working with children. |
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