Clearances and checks required before a placement can proceed

Working With Children Check (WWCC)  - Victoria only

In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm. The Working With Children Check (WWCC) creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria. The WWCC helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work.

All pre-service teachers completing placement in an educational setting (i.e. school, kindergarten, child care centre, community program) within Victoria must apply for the WWCC and provide evidence of this to the Professional Placements Office before commencing any placements. Failure to apply for a WWCC and provide this evidence will cause students to be ineligible for placement. The Professional Placements Office recommends that all students apply for a WWCC as soon as they have completed course enrolment and no later than 6 weeks prior to placement commencement.

The Working With Children Check Application Guide and Form is available from the Professional Placements Office (VIC only) or from participating Australia Post outlets; the application must be lodged with Australia Post. Some participating Australia Post outlets may require an appointment to be made to lodge the application. Please contact Australia Post on 13 13 18 to confirm participating outlets and appointment arrangements.

Please read the instructions in the WWCC guide carefully before contacting our office. The application is free for volunteers.

How to complete Questions 11 and 12 on the Working with Children Check application form? (doc 83Kb)

Documentation to be sent to the Professional Placements Office

When you have lodged the application to the Australia Post, please photocopy the back page of ‘Your Application Receipt’ and send the photocopy to the Professional Placements Office. It is important that you keep the original for your own reference.

Once you have received your actual card, please photocopy your card (front and back) and send the photocopy to the Professional Placements Office. It is important that we receive this final piece of documentation for audit purposes.

No fax please! All pre-service teachers should note that required documentation may be sent as an email attachment or via the post. Due to poor quality, faxed documentation will not be accepted.

Police clearances and checks - Outside of Victoria

Pre-service teachers completing their placement allocations outside of Victoria must ensure that they comply with the working with children legislation requirements of the State/Country of where their placement is occurring. Pre-service teachers must provide evidence to the Professional Placement Office, that they have applied/met the legislation requirements of the relevant State/Country, in order for placement to be confirmed.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies provides useful information and links relevant to the Australian States and Territories. If the State/Country you are completing your placement in, does not require a WWCC or similar, please advise the Professional Placements Office so that placement organisation is not unnecessarily delayed.

Documentation to be sent to the Professional Placements Office

A photocopy of the applicable application documentation should be forwarded to the Professional Placements Office.

On receipt, a photocopy of documentation verifying that you have met/passed the required clearance, should also be sent to the Professional Placements Office.

No fax please! All pre-service teachers should note that required documentation may be sent as an email attachment or via the post. Due to poor quality, faxed documentation will not be accepted.