A NSW Working With Children Check (WWC) clearance is valid for five years. In March 2018 the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) began contacting clearance holders to renew their WWC.
All Union members holding a WWC clearance whose contact details are up to date will be contacted by the OCG three months before their WWC number expires, explaining what they need to do to renew their WWC clearance number for another five years. The OCG does not send a further reminder.
NSW Education Standards Authority accredited teachers
A current WWC clearance number for paid employment is also a mandatory requirement of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for accreditation to teach in a NSW school or early childhood service or centre.
NESA implements the following WWC renewal reminder system for NSW accredited teachers:
- three months before expiry: NESA will email the teacher a reminder to renew their WWC clearance number
- six weeks before expiry: If NESA haven’t received the teachers renewed WWC clearance number they will be sent another reminder, and
- three weeks before expiry: a final reminder is sent.
If a NSW accredited teacher has not notified NESA of their renewed WWC clearance number at least two weeks before the expiry of their current WWC clearance number, they will receive a notice of intention to suspend their accreditation. If their WWC is not verified by NESA before the expiry date, their accreditation will be suspended and they will not be able to teach in any NSW school or early childhood service or centre.
All Union members are reminded not to ignore the renewal reminder email sent to you by the OCG, and if applicable the emails from NESA.
Renewal applications cannot be submitted until three months before your WWC clearance number expiry date and can be done until the expiry date. To renew go to www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check and choose the Renew your WWC number panel.
After completing the WWC number renewal you will be sent an email confirmation with a new expiry date for your WWC clearance number. Provide these details to your employer who engages you to work with children and if applicable to NESA. They will need to re-verify your renewed WWC clearance number and new expiry date.
We encourage members with any issues concerning the WWC to immediately seek advice by contacting their IEU Organiser or Russell Schokman, IEU Policy Advisor on 8202 8900 or the toll free number (for country members) 1800 467 943.