WWCC Frequently Asked Questions
Working with Children Check Frequently Asked Questions
Why is keeping children safe so important?
Life Saving Victoria has a moral obligation to protect its young members (U18). It now also has a State legal requirement to ensure all young members are protected from physical and sexual harm. This legal requirement involves all members eighteen (18) years and older who undertake volunteer work that:
usually involves, or is likely usually to involve, regular direct contact with a child in connection with a service, body, place or activity specified in sub-section (3) in circumstances where that contact is not directly supervised by another person. Source: Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic)
What does a Working with Children Check (WWCC) include?
The Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic) includes a compulsory Working with Children Check for all employees and volunteers who work in connection with twenty (20) occupational areas and who have regular, direct and not directly (indirect) supervised contact with children. This check has implications for all areas of Life Saving Victoria as many of our activities involve young members (U18) including:
- patrols
- competition
- coaching
- instructing
- assessing
- day-to-day club activities and operations
A WWCC will consider offences of a sexual, violent and drug related nature. The check includes:
- national criminal record check for relevant convictions, findings of guilt and relevant pending charges
- a review of relevant findings from prescribed professional disciplinary bodies (currently only the Victorian Institute of Teaching)
There is no difference between a volunteer and employee check except the cost. A 'volunteer' WWCC is FREE however an 'employee' WWCC requires payment.
Please note: a Volunteer WWCC CANNOT be used for employment purposes.
If my lifesaving activities involve my own child, why can't I be exempt?
The legislation does provide certain exemptions from obtaining the check. However given the broad nature of Life Saving Victoria's activities, it would be almost impossible to apply the exemptions.
Our clubs provide a broad range of activities from patrolling to competition. Many of these activities involve the same members who may be exempt from some activities but not others. For example a mother could be her child's Age Manager (an activity directly involving her as a parent) but also a patrol captain (an activity where her child is not involved).
Therefore to ensure our members are operating within the legal framework, it is compulsory that all members 18 years and older complete a WWCC.
As a Police Officer or teacher I have undertaken a different check, why can't I be exempt?
Without undertaking a WWCC there is no link between your profession as a teacher, Department of Justice and any volunteer organisation in which you participate. If you breach any laws (relevant to this check e.g. sexual misconduct) in the capacity of a teacher or Police Officer, Life Saving Victoria will have no way of being informed of such charges.
The WWCC creates that vital link to ensure any alleged breaches (despite employment) can be picked up by the Department of Justice who then reviews and if deemed appropriate informs all relevant voluntary organisation.
Please see Policy: AD6-05 Member Protection - Working with Children Checks
How do I obtain a WWCC card?
- Obtain an application (orange cover) from Australian Post, your club or by contacting Lifesaving Operations on 03 9676 6930
- Read and complete the required information using black pen (except the signature component) (Please use code 70 in Section D) In the 'Details of Organisation/s' (Section E), please enter both Life Saving Victoria (Address: PO Box 353, South Melbourne VIC 3205 and Phone: 03 9676 6930) and your club's details (please contact your club to obtain the appropriate contact information).
- Provide 100 points of identification (refer to application form)
- Provide a passport size photo (must be regulated size and taken within the last 12 months)
Lodge at Australia Post and receive an 'Application Receipt' (back page of application form), as evidence of submitting your form. The application receipt number in the top right hand corner is your WWCC number
The application receipt acts as a temporary WWCC until your application is processed. Once you have lodged your application and obtained a receipt, you can partake in activities involving children. The verified receipt can be used until the application is decided, or for a maximum of sixty (60) days from the date of issue, whichever occurs sooner.
How can I check the progress of my application?
You can use the Check Status Online Enquiry to check the progress of your application. You will need your Application Receipt number to do this.
Applicants and employers are encouraged to check the status of an application online at https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwc/wwc-online-check.
What happens if I don't receive my Working with Children Check card within 60 days?
If you do not receive your WWCC Card within sixty (60) days you will be unable to continue your child related work. If an extension notice has been issued and your club has been notified you will be able to resume. This notice will specify how long the extension is valid.
What happens if my application is denied?
The WWCC looks for criminal activity relevant to the physical and sexual safety of children under 18 years of age. If a member has their application denied, they are issued with a Negative Notice by the Victorian Department of Justice. The member (applicant) and Life Saving Victoria's CEO will be informed. It is important to understand that Life Saving Victoria maintains strict adherence to privacy legislation which regulates such personal information being broadcast to a wider audience. If a member does have their application denied, they cannot be a member of Life Saving Victoria.
What do I do once I receive the card?
When you receive your WWCC Card please notify your club so they can record the appropriate details under Member Protection in SurfGuard.
How do I record my Working with Children Check details in SurfGuard?
Once the club has received your assessment notice they will record these details under Member Protection in SurfGuard.
The following fields must be completed:
· Member Protection Form
This box may be ticked once the club has received the WWCC assessment notice or sighted an application receipt from Australia Post
· Member Protection Date
This date can be calculated by subtracting five (5) years from the expiry date as listed on the WWCC card or assessment notice
· Member Protection Expiry Date
This is the expiry date listed on the top right hand corner of the WWCC card or as displayed on the assessment notice
· Member Protection Registration No
This is the ten (10) digit number that is listed in bold on the assessment notice
· Member Protection Registration Date
This is the date listed on the receipt from Australia Post. If you receive the assessment notice first then the 'notice issue date' listed on the assessment notice should be used
· Member Protection Registration Expiry Date (optional)
This date can be calculated by adding sixty (60) days to the date of application (in Victoria a Working with Children Check application is valid for a maximum of sixty (60) days)
What is the difference between an 'employee' WWCC and a 'volunteer' WWCC?
Employees and volunteers have the same obligations in regard to the WWCC. In recognition of the fact that volunteers do not work for profit or gain, there is no fee for a 'volunteer' WWCC application or replacement card. If you move from a volunteer position to undertaking 'child-related work' for profit or gain, you will need to apply for an 'employee' WWCC in order to avoid penalties.
Moving from volunteer to paid work
If you are a volunteer who holds a current assessment notice, you can only use your 'volunteer' WWCC card for volunteer work. If you intend to undertake 'child-related work' for profit or gain, you will need to re-apply for an 'employee' assessment notice and WWCC card. If you do not comply with the above obligations, you may be subject to criminal penalties.
How do I add an organisation to my existing Working with Children Check?
Download a 'Change of Personal Details form' from: http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/working+with+children/home/maintaining+your+check/wwcc+-+change+of+personal+details+form+%28pdf%29
You must list ALL organisations with who you are currently undertaking child-related work. This will update your record and any previous organisations you have listed will be deleted.
How do I change my personal details?
The Department of Justice website now provides an Online Change of Details service, which enables applicants and card holders to notify the Working with Children Check Unit of changes to their personal details.
Upon registering for the Working with Children (WWC) Check Online service (https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwccu/) you will be given a User ID. The password will be sent to you via SMS or post. To ensure you receive your password you must have previously provided:
a) your current mobile phone number, or
b) your current postal address if you have not provided us with any mobile phone number.
If you do not meet these conditions, then you can update your contact details by ringing the WWC Check Information Line on 1300 652 879 (8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday) or print out and complete the Change of Personal Details Form (as listed above) and return it by mail to the WWC Check Unit.
Why do I need to renew my Working with Children Check?
Your WWCC check is valid for five (5) years, unless a relevant change in circumstances results in a negative notice being issued before the expiry date. You may submit a renewal application form up to eight (8) weekshs before the expiry date clearly marked on the front and back of your WWCC card.
It is an offence to continue to undertake 'child-related work' if you do not hold a valid assessment notice. There is a limited grace period during which you can continue to work without a current WWCC. For more information contact the Information Line on 1300 652 879 (8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday).
How do I renew my Working with Children Check?
A renewal application form will be posted to you approximately eight weeks before your WWCC expires. This form will be pre-populated to include your type of card and contact and work details you have previously supplied.
If the information is correct, take your application and your current WWCC Card to a participating Australia Post Outlet to lodge your renewal.
How do I renew if my details are incorrect or my renewal form contains out of date information?
You should not lodge your renewal application until your details have been updated as it is an offence to provide false information. You can change/update your contact or work details online at: https://online,justice.vic.gov.au/wwccu, or by calling the Information Line on 1300 652 879 (8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday).
Further information
Please direct any WWCC related enquiries to the Lifesaving Operations department on 03 9676 6930 or email lifesavingoperations@lifesavingvictoria.com.au.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions documents are available on the Department of Justice website:
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/Working+With+Children/Find/FAQs/
