All individuals who work and volunteer in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service must hold a current and verified Working With Children Check (WWCC), as required under regulation 147(d) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations. This includes all people aged 18 years or over who reside at a family day care residence (regulation 163).

An application (APP) number is not enough.

Approved providers and services must:

• verify WWCCs before staff and volunteers (including agency staff) commence employment and again upon renewal every 5 years
• have clear policies, procedures and processes in place to ensure the ongoing validity of their staffs’ WWCC
• keep accurate records of WWCC clearances, staff qualifications, and child protection awareness and training.
• check the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQAITS) portal during the recruitment process for any prohibition notices issued to an individual. Prohibition notices issued from other states and territories still apply in NSW.

All staff and volunteers must:

• check their WWCC status with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian before they commence employment or volunteer at an ECEC service, and again upon renewal every 5 years. For agency staff, this involves checking their WWCC status before they commence employment with each new provider.
• inform their manager immediately if their WWCC status changes
• keep their WWCC contact details up to date to receive expiration reminders.

More information

• Learn more about working with children requirements.
• The NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian’s (OCG) Child Safe Recruitment and the Working with Children Check handbook provides guidance on how employers can select and support the most suitable staff to work with children and young people.
• Access resources to support providers with recordkeeping, including checklists and 'how to' videos on verifying WWCCs.