If you’ve ever signed up to coach your kid’s soccer team or volunteered at a school event, you probably weren’t expecting to need government clearance first. But in Australia, a Working with Children Check (WWCC) is standard procedure for anyone doing child-related work—and the rules differ noticeably between states. Victoria charges employees $135.50 and processes applications in about five weeks total, while NSW makes volunteers go free but requires an in-person identity visit within 28 days. Here’s what you actually need to know before you apply.
NSW volunteer cost: Free · VIC requirement: Child-related work · States covered: VIC, NSW · UK equivalent: DBS check · Application time: 15 mins
Quick snapshot
- WWCC required in VIC and NSW for child-related work (Victorian Government)
- Valid for 5 years in Victoria (Victorian Government)
- Exact NSW employee cost not publicly listed
- Precise validity period for NSW WWCC unconfirmed
- Legislative updates may shift requirements post-2020
- Digital card options being explored in NSW
- Worker Screening Act 2020 set current VIC framework
- 30-day interstate visitor exemptions apply in both states
The table below consolidates the key facts used throughout this guide.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary use | Child-related work screening |
| VIC site | vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check |
| NSW volunteer fee | Free |
| Application estimate | 15 minutes |
What is WWCC in Australia?
A Working with Children Check is a background screening that assesses whether someone is suitable to work or volunteer with children. In Victoria, it’s mandated under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Victorian Government legislation) and applies to anyone doing child-related work unless exempt.
Definition and purpose
The WWCC goes further than a standard Police Check. According to the Victorian Government’s official guidance (primary regulatory authority), a Police Check won’t allow you to do child-related work in Victoria. The WWCC assesses suitability to work with children, unlike Police Checks which provide a snapshot without ongoing monitoring.
The Victorian check reviews criminal records across all Australian states and territories, including serious sexual, violent, and drug offences, regardless of charge outcome. It also examines professional conduct from bodies like the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and Suitability Panel under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Victorian Government).
Once passed, a Victorian WWCC remains valid for 5 years unless suspended, cancelled, or surrendered (Victorian Government).
Who needs it
Both paid employees and unpaid volunteers need a WWCC in Victoria and NSW for child-related work. According to the Raising Children Network (child welfare information portal), volunteers in child-related organisations like sports clubs or school activities need WWCC in both states.
In Victoria, examples of volunteer child-related work include coaching sports teams, scout leading, and school activities. Paid child-related work covers teacher’s aides, childcare, child protection services, and paediatric healthcare (Victorian Government).
How much does a WWCC cost in VIC?
Victoria separates costs based on whether you’re volunteering or working for pay. Volunteers do not pay an application fee; employees pay $135.50 (Moving to Australia (practical expat guide)).
Costs for employees vs volunteers
The Victorian system distinguishes between two application types. The employee check covers both volunteer and paid work, while the volunteer check is for unpaid work only (Victorian Government). This means if you’re paid—even part-time—you need the employee application and pay the $135.50 fee.
Some exemptions exist: registered teachers with Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) certification, Victoria Police officers, and Australian Federal Police officers don’t need a VIC WWCC (Red Frogs (volunteer organisation guidance)).
If you’re a paid employee doing any child-related work in Victoria, you’re on the hook for $135.50 regardless of how few hours you work. There’s no reduced fee for casual or part-time arrangements.
How long does a WWCC take to process VIC?
The online application itself takes about 15 minutes to complete via Service Victoria (official government portal). After submission, the screening process takes roughly 3 weeks, followed by approximately 2 weeks for card delivery (Red Frogs (volunteer organisation guidance)).
Application to approval time
Victoria’s identity verification uses a phone-based process—no in-person visit required (Moving to Australia (practical expat guide)). You’ll need one document from Group A (such as a driver licence or Medicare card) and one from Group B (such as a passport or birth certificate) (Victorian Government).
If the check fails, you receive an Interim WWC Exclusion that allows you to appeal. If your appeal doesn’t succeed, a permanent WWC Exclusion follows if the risk to children is deemed unjustifiable (Victorian Government).
Interim WWC Exclusions can appear on your record even if you ultimately succeed on appeal—factor this into your timing if you have an upcoming child-related role.
Budget roughly 5 weeks from start to finish—3 weeks for the actual check plus 2 weeks mailing. If you need clearance for a specific start date, submit your application at least six weeks early.
What checks do you need when working with children?
Different clearances serve different purposes. The WWCC specifically assesses suitability to work with children, while a standard Police Check only shows criminal history at a single point in time without ongoing monitoring (Victorian Government).
WWCC vs other clearances
In NSW, the WWCC is managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian (statutory oversight body) and is distinct from a Police Check. It involves a National Police Check combined with a review of reportable workplace misconduct.
The WWCC is mandatory across all Australian states and territories for child-related work, though each state uses its own name and process (Moving to Australia (practical expat guide)).
State variations
Interstate visitors can perform child-related work in Victoria without a VIC WWCC for up to 30 days, according to Red Frogs (volunteer organisation guidance). The same 30-day exemption applies in NSW.
In both states, organisations must verify WWCC status for their employees and volunteers before they begin child-related work.
A Police Check won’t allow you to do child-related work in Victoria.
— Victorian Government (primary regulatory authority)
How do I find my NSW WWCC?
If you’ve already applied in NSW, you can check your status through Service NSW’s online system. The application itself requires completing an online form followed by an in-person visit to a Service NSW Centre within 28 days for identity verification (Moving to Australia (practical expat guide)).
Checking status online
NSW WWCC applicants must ensure the name on their form matches their identity documents exactly (Moving to Australia (practical expat guide)). Mismatches can delay processing.
In NSW, child-related work requiring WWCC includes nannies, babysitters, and childcare employees (Find a Babysitter (practical advice platform)).
The NSW application differs from Victoria’s by requiring an in-person visit within 28 days. If you’re applying from a rural area with limited Service NSW Centres, factor this timing into your planning.
How to apply for a Working with Children Check
Victoria and NSW have different application processes, though both start online.
- Victoria: Visit Service Victoria and select your application type (volunteer or employee). The form takes about 15 minutes to complete.
- Victoria: Complete phone identity verification. Have your Group A and Group B documents ready.
- Victoria: Wait for screening—approximately 3 weeks—followed by 2 weeks for card delivery.
- NSW: Complete the online form via Service NSW (government service portal).
- NSW: Visit a Service NSW Centre within 28 days with your identity documents.
- NSW: Wait for confirmation from the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Interstate visitors can do child-related work in Victoria without a Check for up to 30 days.
— Red Frogs (volunteer coordination organisation)
Related reading: Service NSW processes · Justice of the Peace for ID verification
In VIC and NSW, the Working with Children Check often complements a national police check that verifies criminal history across all jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DBS check?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is the UK’s equivalent to Australia’s WWCC. It’s required for people working with children or vulnerable adults in England and Wales, and serves a similar purpose of screening for criminal records before granting clearance.
What qualifications do you need to work with children?
Qualifications vary by role. A WWCC is the baseline requirement for most child-related positions. Specific roles like teachers, childcare workers, or healthcare staff may need additional credentials—but the WWCC comes first in every case.
How do I renew my Working with Children Check?
In Victoria, you’ll receive notification of changes to your circumstances during the 5-year validity period. Before expiry, submit a new application through Service Victoria. In NSW, check your status via Service NSW and apply for renewal before your current clearance lapses.
Is Working with Children Check required near Dublin?
Dublin is in Ireland, which has its own vetting system called the Garda Vetting system. If you’re moving to Ireland for child-related work, you’ll need to go through Irish Garda vetting rather than an Australian WWCC.
What is Working with Children Check phone number?
For Victoria, contact the Department of Justice’s Worker Screening unit through the Victorian Government website. For NSW, reach the Office of the Children’s Guardian via their official website. Both organisations also provide online enquiry options.
How do I apply for WWCC login?
In Victoria, you don’t need a login to start. Visit Service Victoria, select your application type, fill in the form, and verify your identity by phone. In NSW, create an account on Service NSW, complete the online application, then visit a centre in person.
What clearance for working with children in Ireland?
Ireland uses Garda Vetting, processed through the National Vetting Bureau. Anyone working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults must complete this process. The system is similar to Australia’s WWCC but administered by Irish police.
Summary
The Working with Children Check isn’t optional—it’s the baseline legal requirement across Australia for anyone doing child-related work. Victoria costs $135.50 for employees (free for volunteers), takes about 5 weeks end-to-end, and lasts 5 years. NSW lets volunteers go free but requires an in-person Service NSW visit within 28 days of applying. Interstate visitors get a 30-day grace period in both states, but anyone planning longer-term child-related work needs to clear the check before starting. For parents volunteering at school events or coaches joining weekend sports, the process is simpler than it looks—the online form takes 15 minutes, and the only real wait is the background screening.
Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Oz Reviewly.