The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse made several recommendations aimed at strengthening the protection children receive through Working with Children Checks.
The amendments to the Working with Children Act 2005 (the Act), which come into effect on 1 August 2017, are the government’s response to implementing these recommendations.
The articles below provide detailed information about the key amendments.
Changes to the definition of child-related work
Significant changes have been made to the definition of child-related work. The definition of ‘direct contact’ in the Act has been expanded, and the reference to ‘supervision’ has been removed and no longer applies.
Kinship carers required to pass the Working with Children Check
Kinship care is now considered to be a type of child-related work and has been added as a specific occupational field. Kinship carers are required to pass the Working with Children Check.
Charges for serious sexual, violent or drug offences that have not resulted in a conviction or finding of guilt (non-conviction charges) may now be considered as part of a Working with Children Check assessment or re-assessment.