CCYPCG home / The blue card system / Volunteers and students / Do I need a blue card?
Do I need a blue card or exemption card?
Volunteers and trainee students who work with children and young people must hold a blue card if their work falls into a category of regulated employment, regardless of how often they will come into contact with children and young people, unless an exemption applies.
Click on the links below for further information about the requirements and any relevant exemptions under each category.
- Residential facilities
- Schools - Boarding facilities
- Schools - Employees other than teachers and parents
- Education and care services and similar employment
- Child care services and similar employment
- Churches, clubs and associations involving children
- Health, counselling and support services
- Private teaching, coaching and tutoring
- Education programs conducted outside of schools
- Child accommodation services including home stays
- Religious representatives
- Sport and active recreation
- Emergency services cadet program
- School crossing supervisors
- Care of children under the Child Protection Act 1999
Last updated: 21 December, 2011
Important things to remember
Blue cards for volunteers and trainee students are valid for three years and there is no application fee.
A volunteer or trainee student must not commence regulated child-related work until they hold a valid blue card.
Certain people are prohibited from applying for or renewing a blue card. Please click here for more information about disqualified persons.
Volunteer parents are exempt under certain categories when providing services or conducting activities that relate to their own children.
If you don't require screening under one category, you might still need screening under another. Please check all categories.
Volunteers under 18 are exempt from requiring a blue card unless they are a trainee student doing a practical placement as part of their studies with an education provider.
Police officers and registered teachers do not apply for blue cards and in certain circumstances may need to apply for an exemption card. Please click here for the relevant exemption card application forms.