IEU members already in paid or volunteer child related employment and who have not undergone the current Working With Children Check (WWCC) are reminded that you will be required to obtain a current WWCC clearance as part of the following industry sector phase in schedule:
•secondary school employees between the 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, and
•primary school/early education/child care employees between 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian advises that it can take up to four weeks for a WWCC clearance application to be processed and much longer if a WWCC risk assessment is required.
The IEU will continue to offer advice and represent members who are required to undergo a WWCC risk assessment if a relevant record is identified during the processing of their WWCC clearance application, or who are notified by the Office of the Children’s Guardian of a decision to not grant them a WWCC clearance.
Members are also reminded that you need not wait to receive your WWWC clearance number to engage in child related employment. Under the Child Protection (Working with Children Act) 2012 you are able to engage in child related employment if you have submitted a current application for a WWCC clearance and have received a current WWCC application (APP) number. Your employer can verify your WWCC clearance status online using your current WWCC application number.
We encourage members with any issues concerning the WWCC 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.