Working with Children Check requirements for our Parents and Volunteers

We are grateful to all the parents who generously volunteer their time and energy to support our school community. From July 1, 2023, there are important changes to the Working with Children Check legislation, which helps keep our students safe.

This change applies to parents who volunteer. You will need to sign a ‘Parent and child volunteer declaration form’ before volunteering or continuing to volunteer at our school. You cannot volunteer if you have a current Working with Children Negative Notice or Interim Negative Notice.

Volunteering includes, for example:

• helping with reading or attending a day excursion
• presenting an award at an assembly
• on canteen duty or assisting at a sports carnival
• conducting P&C duties.

Volunteering does not include, for example:

• picking up and dropping off your child
• watching an event, like a school assembly
• attending a parent and teacher interview
• visiting the uniform shop.

When you attend the school to volunteer, you will sign in at the front office and we will ask you to complete the form. You will be asked to complete the form annually if you want to continue volunteering at the school. If your circumstances change, and you are issued with a Negative Notice or Interim Negative Notice after you complete the form, you need to notify me and stop volunteering immediately.

A person who is a Parent Volunteer is the father, mother, stepfather or stepmother of the child, has long term care/ day to day care of a child, is in a defacto relationship of a person of the above, or is specified as the adoptive parent of a child.  A current Working with Children Check is required by all other family members and friends over 18 years of age who want to volunteer.

We believe these changes will contribute to maintaining a safe environment for all our students. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we work together to keep our students safe.

Declarations are available for download below or, you can complete the form at our front office. Please ensure that you complete a declaration prior to your next volunteering activity.

Download to complete the Parent and Child Volunteer Declaration Form

If you are not sure if you need a WWC Check or to complete the Parent and child volunteer declaration form, please speak with the school office staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the definition of parent?
From the Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites procedures, a parent is a person who:

• is the father, mother, stepfather or stepmother of the child
• at law has responsibility for the long-term care, welfare and development of the child; or the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child
• is in a de facto relationship with a person referred to in either of the first 2 dot points
• is specified as the child’s prospective adoptive parent under the Adoption Act 1994 section 20(b).

What is a Parent volunteer exemption?
Certain people do not require a WWC Check because they fit within the description of an exemption as defined in the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004. A parent volunteer is a parent of a child who is enrolled at your school and does child-related work on a voluntary basis (that is, unpaid).

Who is not eligable for a Parent volunteer exemption?

Grandparents or other family members over the age of 18 and do not meet the definition of a parent need a WWC Check to volunteer in any capacity in a school.

Other volunteers, over 18, in child-related work need a valid WWC Check. This includes non-school parent volunteers.

What are examples of activities when a parent is volunteering?

A parent is volunteering and eligible for an exemption when:

• helping with reading
• attending a day excursion
• presenting an award or speaking at an assembly
• on canteen duty
• assisting at a sports carnival
• conducting P&C duties.

A parent is not volunteering and does not need to complete the Parent and child volunteer declaration form or hold a WWC Check when:

• picking up and dropping off their child
• watching an event, like an assembly or sports carnival
• attending a parent and teacher interview
• visiting the uniform shop.

In addition to the declaration form, you need a Working with Children (WWC) Check when you:

• volunteer for an overnight camp
• billet students in your home
• provide one-on-one mentoring to a student.

How do I apply for a Working with Children Check?

• WWC Check application forms are currently provided in hardcopy format and are available from Australia Post outlets or  the School office. 
• WWC Check application forms must be filled in and a representative from the school must complete and sign specific parts of the application. 
• The completed and signed WWC application form can then be lodged at an Australia Post outlet with the required fee ($11 for volunteers) and 100 points of identification.