To work with children, you will need a Police Check or "Working with Children Check" in most States by law. Most parents will also ask for it and we strongly recommend you have an up-to-date one available. For information on how to get one, see the details below :
Babysitters and Nannies can obtain a Federal or State Police Check from their local police station or you can visit the website below for more information :
Australia-wide
A national service you can use to obtain a police check for any state is http://www.policecheck.com.au/
Victoria
The 'National Police Record Check' application form is available from the Victoria Police Website at http://www.police.vic.gov.au/.
Fill in the form, mail it with a cheque (see site for specific amount, approx $32) to the Victorian Police, then wait 10 working days for them to send the certificate back to you. In Section A select "National Name Check". In Section E select the "Contact with children" box in "Option 1". For additional information, see the Victoria Police Website.
Victoria also has a Working with Children Check - this is only needed for sitters working for a commercial agency. However, it is recommended that you apply for a WWCC as it will let parents know you're a sitter they can trust, improving your chances of employment. See http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren for more information.
New South Wales
You can obtain a Police Check application from your local police station or the NSW police site. 'Standard Disclosure' is recommended. Purpose of the check is a 'Name and date of birth check'. You must bring the completed form and 3 forms of ID to your local police station and pay the fee (approx. $52). See the NSW Police Web Site for more information.
The Working With Children Check is for carers in child-related work, employed by a commercial agency (so you don't need it for work found on We Need a Nanny since you are working for parents independently, but to improve your chances of employment, it is recommended that you obtain a Certificate for Self Employed People Working With Children). See www.kids.nsw.gov.au to find out more.
Queensland
Apply at any police station in Queensland for a Criminal History Record Check (Qld only) or for a Police Certificate (Australia-wide) check. The Checks will cost approx. $40. If you already have a "Working With Children Check - Blue Card" this is also suitable. Read more information about the checks at the Queensland Police site: www.police.qld.gov.au. For more information about a Blue Card, see http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/bluecard/index.html
Western Australia
From Jan 2006, Western Australia now requires a Working with Children Check. This applies to any carers with a formal agreement like paid sitters working regularly. The form can be obtained from Australia Post Offices and costs approx. $50 to submit. See http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm for more information.
