Working With Children Check update

If you have not undergone the current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and are starting a new child-related position with a different employer, you will need to apply for a current WWCC clearance prior to starting work.

If you are already in paid or volunteer child-related employment, you need not apply immediately, as the current WWCC will be phased in as follows:

• secondary school employees between the 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, and

• primary school/early education employees between 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.

You need not wait to receive your WWCC clearance number to start child related employment as, under the Child Protection (Working with Children Act) 2012 you are able to engage in child related employment with a current WWCC application (APP) number. Your employer can verify your clearance status online using your WWCC application number.

If you are directed by your employer to obtain the current WWCC prior to the phase-in period or you are not engaged in child related employment after submitting a WWCC application and waiting for a WWCC clearance, you should seek advice by contacting your IEU Organiser or Russell Schokman, IEU Policy Advisor on 8202 8900 or the toll free number (for country members) 1800 467 943.

The Union notes that BOSTES advises that teachers must have their WWCC on 1 January 2018. The Union’s advice isthat secondary teachers shouldapply early (from April 2016) andprimary teachers should applyfrom April 2017.Primary and early childhood teachers should have all their paperwork completed by October 2017.