Working with Children Check: Costs, Process & Requirements

Applying for a Working with Children Check (WWCC) sounds straightforward — until you realise each Australian state runs its own scheme, with different names, fees, and validity periods. Whether you’re a volunteer coach in Melbourne or a paid educator in Sydney, knowing these differences saves time and prevents delays.

Fee for volunteers: Free in all states ·
Fee for paid workers: Varies by state; see official websites ·
Processing time: Up to 4 weeks depending on state ·
Validity period: 5 years ·
Application method: Online in most states

The pattern: volunteers everywhere pay nothing, but paid workers face a patchwork of fees.

How much does a WWCC cost in VIC?

In Victoria, the cost depends on whether you are a volunteer or a paid worker. According to the Victorian Government (official child‑screening guidance), volunteers pay nothing, while paid workers must pay a fee — currently $124.60 as of 2025. The application is completed entirely online via the Service Victoria portal. The implication: the Victorian fee for paid workers is among the highest nationally.

How much does a WWCC cost in WA?

Western Australia sets its fees through the Department of Communities. The Working With Children Check WA (state government scheme) lists the current fee structure; as with most states, volunteers are exempt from payment. Paid workers should check the official website for the exact amount.

How much is a paid working with children check in NSW?

New South Wales charges a fee for paid workers but keeps the process free for volunteers. The Service NSW (NSW Government portal) states that the WWCC application fee is approximately $80–$90 for those in paid child‑related roles, making it one of the cheaper options nationally.

How long does it take to get a working with children check in Victoria?

Victorian applications are processed online, and the Victorian Government (state regulator) notes that most applications receive an outcome within a few weeks. In practice, it can take up to four weeks if additional identity verification is required. The catch: no state publishes a guaranteed turnaround.

Does processing time vary by state?

Yes. While Victoria and NSW aim for similar turnarounds, other states may differ. Queensland’s Blue Card Services (Queensland Government), for example, processes applications within 28 days on average. The Northern Territory’s Safe NT (NT Government) advises that clearances can take up to eight weeks.

How do I find my NSW WWCC?

If you’ve already applied in New South Wales, you can look up your WWCC number online. The Service NSW (NSW Government portal) provides an online status checker where you enter your application number or personal details to retrieve the result. You can also contact Service NSW directly if you’ve lost your application reference.

How do I check my WWCC status?

Each state offers its own method. In Victoria, use the Service Victoria (state government portal) to track progress. In Western Australia, the Working With Children Check WA (state scheme) has a dedicated login. Most states also accept phone or email inquiries if you don’t have internet access.

What checks do you need when working with children?

The Working with Children Check is the primary screening requirement for anyone engaged in child‑related work across Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (national policy resource), each state administers its own scheme under local legislation. The check typically includes a national police history check and may also consider reportable workplace misconduct or court orders. What this means: the WWCC is broader than a standard police check.

Do I need a WWCC in every state?

Yes, if you work or volunteer in child‑related roles in multiple states, you generally need a separate check for each. The Consumer and Business Services South Australia (state regulator) explains that each jurisdiction has its own legal framework, and a check from one state is not automatically recognised in another. Some states offer mutual recognition for short‑term visits, but it is not guaranteed.

What other checks are required?

In addition to the WWCC, some roles mandate a national police check. For example, early childhood educators often need both. The Early Years Careers (industry resource) notes that employers may also require a reference check and a Working with Children Check from the state where the centre is located. It is the employer’s responsibility to verify that all required checks are in place.

What qualifications do I need to work with children?

The Working with Children Check is a screening tool, not a qualification. It does not replace the need for formal training or certifications. For instance, early childhood educators in Australia require a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or higher, as regulated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). The Early Years Careers (industry guidance) recommends checking the specific requirements for your role and state. The pattern: the WWCC sits alongside these requirements as a background check.

Are there specific degrees or certificates required?

Yes, for many child‑related occupations a recognised qualification is mandatory. Teachers, nurses, childcare workers, and youth workers all have minimum education standards. The Raising Children Network (national parenting resource) emphasises that having a WWCC does not substitute for professional training.

Five states, one pattern: the cost and validity period vary more than the name of the check itself.

The implication: volunteers everywhere pay nothing, but paid workers face a patchwork of fees and renewal periods. Queensland and the Northern Territory require renewal every two years, while NSW and Victoria give five years. ACT offers flexibility, but the cost may differ per term.

How to apply for a Working with Children Check

The general process is consistent across states, though each has its own portal. Here are the key steps, based on guidance from Service NSW and Victorian Government.

1. Identify your state. You need the check from the state where you will be working or volunteering. If you work in multiple states, you may need separate checks.
2. Prepare identity documents. Typically a passport, driver licence, or birth certificate plus proof of address. Victoria allows you to verify identity using your phone (Service Victoria).
3. Apply online through your state’s official portal: NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT.
4. Pay any fee if you are a paid worker. Volunteers skip this step.
5. Wait for processing. Expect up to four weeks, though some states may take longer.
6. Receive your card or clearance number. Keep it accessible; you may need to show it to your employer.

What to expect: timeline from application to outcome

The typical timeline, drawn from state government portals, looks like this:

• Day 1: Submit online application and provide identity documents.
• Weeks 2–4: Background check processing (police history, relevant court orders, etc.).
• Week 4 (or later): Outcome notification — either approval or a request for further information. If approved, you receive your check card or licence number.

Victoria and NSW both note that processing times can increase if identity documents need manual review. The catch: no state guarantees a specific turnaround time.

What is known and what is uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Volunteers are exempt from fees in NSW (Service NSW)
• Application is online in Victoria (Victorian Government)
• WWCC is mandatory in all Australian states (Australian Institute of Family Studies)

What’s unclear

• Exact processing times for each state are not consistently published.
• Reciprocity between states (using a VIC WWCC in NSW) is not guaranteed and depends on the employer and duration.

What the regulators say

“The application is free for volunteers.”

Service NSW (state government portal), NSW Government portal

“Prove your identity with documents using your phone.”

Service Victoria (state government portal), Victorian Government

What this means for you

The Working with Children Check is a mandatory but manageable step for anyone in child‑related work. For volunteers, the process is free and straightforward. For paid workers, the fees and validity periods vary by state — and the lack of reciprocity means you may need separate checks if you cross borders. The risk of starting work without a clearance is real: Victoria makes it clear that it is breaking the law to begin child‑related work without first applying (Victorian Government). For anyone planning to work with children in Australia, apply early, check your state’s official portal, and treat the WWCC as a prerequisite alongside your professional qualifications.

Related reading

• Child safety policies
• National police check requirements
• Volunteer screening guide
• Early childhood education qualifications