CCYPCG home / The blue card system / Volunteers & students / When do I need to apply?
When do I need to apply?
You can apply for a blue card or exemption card when you have an agreement to work in a child related environment that is regulated by the Commission's Act.
Volunteers and trainee students who require a blue card must hold a valid blue card before they can commence volunteer work or a practical placement as part of their studies.
If you are a registered teacher or police officer, you can commence providing regulated child-related services once you have lodged a completed exemption card application with the Commission.
How long will it take?
As a guide, you should allow at least 28 business days for your application to be processed.
Applications will take longer to process if:
- forms are incomplete or not correctly filled in. Please ensure each part of the form is filled in by the appropriate person and completed correctly, or
- there is police or disciplinary information about an applicant that the Commission must retrieve and consider before determining a person's eligibility to work with children.
Please click here if you need to apply.
When should I renew my blue card?
Volunteers and trainee students must submit their renewal form at least 30 days before their blue card expires in order to continue in regulated work after the expiry of their blue card, unless it is suspended or cancelled earlier.
If your blue card expires and you have not submitted your renewal application at least 30 days before the expiry date, you can not continue in regulated employment until after you have received a new blue card.
The Commission will send a renewal application to blue card holders 16 weeks prior to the expiry of their current card. You must advise the Commission of any change to your postal address.
For more information about the renewal process and to access the appropriate form, please click here.
Please note - exemption cards have no expiry date and remain valid as long as the person is a registered teacher or police officer.
Last updated: 30 March, 2011
Important things to remember
Volunteers and trainee students 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.
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 (PDF, 174KB) for more information.