Working with Children Check

The Diocese of Lismore is committed to keeping children safe and implements a variety of practices to reduce potential risks as part of our strategy to build child safe communities.

A range of checks and undertakings are required for people who work for or provide services to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore.

Working with Children Check

A Working With Children Check (WWCC) is a requirement for people who work or volunteer in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and a review of findings of workplace misconduct.

The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) is responsible for employment screening for child related work. The result of a WWCC is either a clearance to work with children for five years, or a bar against working with children. Cleared applicants are subject to ongoing monitoring by the OCG, and any relevant new records which appear against a cleared applicant’s name may lead to the Check being revoked.

The object of the WWC Act is to protect children:

  1. By not permitting certain persons to engage in child-related work; and
  2. By requiring persons engaged in child-related work to have working with children check clearances.

Employers have legal obligations around working with children. It is against the law to engage anyone in child related work without a Working With Children Check.

If a worker or volunteer requires a Check, there are actions the employer must take.

Employers must:

  • Verify workers' WWCC numbers online including:
    • new workers or volunteers firstly using their Application (App) number and then their WWCC clearance number (except those working in the Education sector where a Clearance number is required)
    • a renewed WWCC, updated after five years.
  • Keep records of employees who require a WWCC and when they were verified
  • Remind employees to renew which they can do up to three months before their WWCC expires
  • Remove anyone who’s WWCC status is barred, interim barred, whose WWCC cannot be found or has expired from child-related work. An employer can only employ people who have an Application number or WWCC clearance in child-related work.

The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Child Protection Policy outlines the requirements of the CSO, Systemic Schools and employees will undertake in order to comply with the Act.

Who needs to apply for a Working with Children Check?

All applicants registering or applying for work in the Diocese of Lismore are required to undergo the Working with Children Check to meet current Child Protection Legislation in NSW.

FAQ: Office of the Children’s Guardian


There are several exemptions to the requirement to get a Working With Children Check, and these are set out in the Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2013.

Office of the Children’s Guardian
Exemptions
Facts Sheets and Resources

How to Apply

Step 1

Complete your Working with Children Check application online by going to the Office of the Children’s Guardian website www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check.
Once your application form has been completed online, you will be provided with an application (APP) number.

Step 2

Take your application number along with proof of identity to a NSW Motor Registry, RMS Agency or Service NSW service centre.
Find Location at service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre
Paid workers will pay a fee of $80. For volunteers, the Working With Children Check is free.
You will receive an email once the Working with Children Check has been completed.