Working With Children Check
Frequently Asked Questions for NSW public libraries
Developed in consultation with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
For more information regarding the Working With Children Check, email , call (02) 9286 7219 or visit
- How is the Working With Children Check different to the previous system?
A Working With Children Check is a requirement for anyone in child-related work. The new Check covers more people, is more comprehensive and will provide better protection for children. It is also more consistent with other state and territory Checks, giving us the starting point for a national Check.
A Working With Children Check involves a national police check and a review of findings of misconduct. The result is either a clearance to work with children for five years or a bar against working with children. Under the Check employees and volunteers are required to apply for the Check for themselves. The Check is portable and can be used for any child-related work in NSW. Barred applicants cannotwork or volunteer with children.
An overview of the Check is at
- Who needs a Working With Children Check?
Only people in child-related work need a Working With Children Check. This includes paid staff and volunteers.The definition of child-related work is outlined in the Child Protection (Working With Children) Regulation 2013. It is also available in a fact sheet
- Will staff working in public libraries in NSW need to have a Working With Children Check?
Library staff who regular work face-to-face with children will need a Check, but staff who only have incidental contact with children will not.Staff who provide administrative, clerical or maintenance services, or other ancillary services, where the work does not ordinarily involve contact with children for extended periods may not require a check.
To prepare for the Check, employers should decide which roles are child-related and will need a Check, and which are not. General interaction with children through working at library desks can be classed as incidental contact. If a staff member runs children’s programs on a regular basis, even if not weekly, they will require the Check.
- I need a Working With Children Check. When should I apply?
Everyone in child-related work – including current and new paid employees and all volunteers, will be phased in according to the phase in schedule. The schedule is available at
Public libraries are classified as Clubs or other bodies providing services to children, which means all staff and volunteers will need to apply before 31 March 2016.
Existing staff who require a check should not leave it too late to apply. The Office of Children’s Guardian will be assessing many applications.
New staff employed in child related roles are required to supply their Working with Children Check to their employer prior to commencing in the role.
- Could a children’s librarian be defined as child-related work?
Yes. A staff member whose primary role is working with children will need to apply for a Working With Children Check.
- Will library staff need to pay for a Working With Children Check?
If they are in paid child-related work,they will pay an $80 application fee for a five year clearance. This equates to $16 per year, the lowest in Australia (together with Victoria). The Working With Children Check remains free for volunteers and students over 18.
- Do public library volunteers need a Working With Children Check?
Volunteers and students over 18 who work with children will be required to apply for a Working With Children Check. Libraries are classified as Clubs or other bodies providing services to children, which means current paid staff and allvolunteers (whether current or new to working with children) will be phased in between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.
Volunteers and students on professional placement do not pay for the Working With Children Check.
- Is there a standard statement that public libraries could use when advertising for paid and volunteer public library positions?
No, however a Working With Children Check is a prerequisite for child-related work in NSW.
Information for employers is at
- What are the requirements for contractors coming in to public libraries?
Contractors who are doing child related work have the same obligations as paid staff and volunteers. If a contractor is hired for child-related work, he or she must have a valid Working With Children Check. If they are self employed, they may hold a current Certificate for Self Employed People, which they may continue to use for child-related work until it expires. If their certificate has already expired, they will need to apply for the Check before they begin any child-related work. Exemptions include those who undertake administrative, clerical or maintenance work that does not ordinarily involve contact with children for extended periods; and a person who works for a period of no more than five days in a calendar year if the work involves minimal direct contact with children or is supervised when children are present.
See Fact sheet 4 Exemptions
- How do I apply for a Working With Children Check?
STEP 1: Complete an online application form at
If you cannot access the online system, call (02) 9286 7219 and a Customer Support Officer will assist you. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an application number.
STEP 2: Take your application number and proof of identity to a NSW motor registry or NSW Government Access Centre. If you are in paid work, you will also need to pay the $80 application fee. There is no fee for volunteers or students.
STEP 3: Give your application number or Working With Children number to your employer.
- How do I verify whether someone is cleared to work with children?
If you are an employer, you must first register with the Working With Children Check system. Instructions on how to register as an employer are available at
Please refer to the Employer Resources section on the website.
Once you have registered, you will be able to log on to the online system, and verify all workers (paid and unpaid, including students over 18) using the simple online system. You will be required to enter the worker’s full name, date of birth and Working With Children Check number (an application number will also suffice). You will receive the outcome immediately on screen. The process is outlined in the Information for employers, available from
It is important for an employer to keep records of their child-related workers. These may be electronic or hard copy but must be made available for audit and monitoring purposes.
For further information see Information for Employers
Remember: The Working With Children Check is only one of the resources available to help keep children safe. Introducing child-safe policies and procedures is an essential part of creating a child-safe environment. Find out more about creating child safe organisations at
Elearning package
The Office of the Children’s Guardian has made available an e-Learning package about The Working with Children Check. The module contains short videos visually explaining the key processes in the WWCC system.
Working With Children Check - Frequently Asked Questions
Developed in consultation with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian July 2015
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