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Schools – Employees other than teachers and parents

Who needs a blue card?

Volunteers and trainee students need a blue card if their work or practical placement in a school includes, or is likely to include providing services directed mainly towards children, or conducting activities mainly involving children, unless an exemption applies.

Please note that police officers do not apply for a blue card and should instead apply for an exemption card under this category if they are providing services which are outside of their professional duties. Please click here (PDF, 174KB) for more information.

If you work in disability services, please click here (PDF, 178KB) for further information about your specific blue card requirements and application forms.

If you are a state government employee there are specific application forms which can be obtained from your Department's HR or Screening area.

Examples of people who need a blue card...

• Volunteers assisting children in classroom activities
• Volunteer cleaners or groundskeepers at a school
• Volunteer tuckshop or canteen staff
• Trainee students doing a practical placement at a school as part of their studies with an education provider

Who doesn't need a blue card?

A blue card is not required if the person is a:

• volunteer guest of a school or recognised body and are:
  • observing or supplying information or entertainment to ten or more people, and
  • the activity is for ten days or less on no more than two occasions per year, and
  • the person is unlikely to be alone with a child without another adult present.

• volunteer at a national or state event organised by a school or recognised body:
  • for a sporting, cultural or skill based activity, and
  • the event is attended by more than 100 people, and
  • the work is for ten days or less on no more than two occasions per year, and
  • the person is unlikely to be alone with a child without another adult present.

There are certain people who do not require a blue card under this category, including:

• Approved or registered teachers (even if they are working outside of their professional capacity)
• A volunteer parent of a child attending the school
• A child under 18 years of age, unless they are a trainee student doing a practical placement as part of their studies with an education provider, and
• Registered health practitioners, if the work they are doing with children and young people relates to their function as a registered health practitioner.

Examples of people who don't need a blue card...

• Parents volunteering in sporting or recreational activities at their own child’s school
• Parents volunteering with the P & C committee or on a school board at their child’s school
• Guest lecturers who attend a school less than twice a year to give talks to students and are supervised by another adult while in the school

Click here if you need to apply for a blue card or exemption card.

 

Last updated: 12 April, 2011

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