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NDIS Compliance

NDIS Working With Children Check (WWCC) FAQ

August 11, 2025

What is the Working With Children Check? 

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children receiving NDIS supports. The Working With Children Check assesses whether a person seeking to work, or already working with children, in certain NDIS roles does not present an unacceptable risk of harm to people with disability.

Who Needs a Working with Children Check?

Those in Risk Assessed roles including:

  • Workers, volunteers or contractors are engaged in child-related work;
  • Is likely to have more than incidental contact with children (under 18), including face-to-face, phone or online interactions; or 
  • Involves the direct delivery of specified services and supports to a child;
  • Is Key Personnel.

State Based Requirements 

State/Territory WWCC Validity Period Check Name
New South Wales (NSW) 5 years Working With Children Check
Victoria (VIC) 5 years Working With Children Check
Queensland (QLD) 3 years Blue Card
Western Australia (WA) 3 years Working With Children Check
South Australia (SA) 5 years Working With Children Check
Tasmania (TAS) 5 years Working With Vulnerable People Registration
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) 3 years Working With Vulnerable People Registration
Northern Territory (NT) 2 years Ochre Card (Working With Children Clearance)

Each worker must obtain a WWCC for each state/territory that they undertake child-related work in. 

Workers must renew their WWCC before the expiry date to continue working in child-related roles. 

There are different requirements for each state/territory to commence work upon application, please refer to the specific state/territory for their specific requirements. 

Obtaining a Working With Children Check

WWCCs are administered separately in each state/territory. Requirements, names, validity periods, and fees may vary:

Provider Responsibilities 

  1. Determine Risk Assessed Roles - which roles require a WWCC, document this in your risk assessed role register.
  2. Verify WWCC Clearance - Employers are required to verify and record WWCC clearances for workers in risk assessed roles.
  3. Monitor Expiry Dates - Record and track expiry dates, workers are required to renew their WWCC prior to expiry.
  4. Retain Records - include up-to-date records that are available for audit.
  5. Ensure workers have a current WWCC and are “Cleared” - to safeguard and protect children. 

As an Employer - How to Verify WWCCs

Each state/territory has its own online portal for employers to verify WWCCs:

State Verification Portal Notes
NSW Check WWCC here Requires registration as an employer
VIC Check status here Publicly searchable
QLD Blue Card Organisation Portal Must link employee to your organisation
WA WWCC Check Employer Portal Manual confirmation or call
SA Screening Check Verification Requires registration to verify
TAS My Registration Portal Verify via email or online
ACT WWVP Online Services Register as an employer
NT Ochre Card Verification Request through SAFE NT

Record Keeping 

Registered and Unregistered Providers must maintain up-to-date records of:

  • WWCC numbers
  • Expiry dates
  • State of issue
  • Clearance outcomes

Be prepared to present these during NDIS audits or investigations.

WWCC Clearance Outcomes - Overview 

Outcome Description What it Means for Employers
Cleared / Approved The individual has passed the screening process and is authorised to engage in child-related work. ✔️ Can begin or continue working with children. Ensure you record expiry and reverify as required.
Pending The application has been submitted and is under assessment. ⏳ Cannot start child-related work until clearance is granted. May result in a delay.
Conditional Clearance In rare cases, a person may be cleared with restrictions (e.g. only under supervision, or not in certain settings). ⚠️ Must comply with conditions. Providers should assess whether restrictions are appropriate for the role.
Suspended Clearance has been temporarily removed (e.g. pending investigation or charges). ❌ The individual must be removed from child-related work immediately.
Barred / Negative Notice The person has been deemed unsuitable due to criminal history or other risks to child safety. 🚫 Legally prohibited from working or volunteering in child-related roles. Hiring or retaining them is a serious offence.
Expired The WWCC has passed its validity date. ⛔ Must renew before continuing child-related work. Workers cannot legally work with children on an expired check.

Human Resource Policies and Procedures

Human Resource policies and procedures should include all processes related to NDIS Worker Screening and Working with Children Checks (WWCC), specifically:

  • Requirements for risk assessed roles and the requirements for worker screening, WWCCs.
  • Processes for when a worker is issued with a conditional clearance, is suspended, is barred or their check has expired. 

Participant Safeguarding 

Working with Children Checks are a key part of keeping participants safe, protecting them from potential harm and creating a safe, respectful, and trustworthy environment. At the end of the day, it's about giving participants—and their families—confidence in the people they’re relying on for support.

References:

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