National Police Check no longer valid in South Australia when working with children

South Australians who previously used a National Police Check to secure paid or voluntary work with children will no longer be able to do so, with new regulations coming into effect 1 July 2020, requiring a State Government Working with Children Check instead. 

All South Australians in relevant roles using a National Police Check need to apply for a Working with Children Check immediately, if they haven’t done so already, advice from the Department of Human Services (DHS) read. 

Employers, and those supervising volunteers, are now committing an offence, should they elect to engage a person in paid or volunteer work without a valid check, “so this is also an important reminder to organisations to ensure their staff and volunteers have the correct check” DHS noted.

The Working with Children Check was introduced 1 July 2019, following recommendations from the Royal Commissions into Child Abuse. At that time, screening process improvements were also introduced to support the timely assessment of check applications and to ensure South Australians are able to begin work or volunteering as soon as possible.

Working with Children Checks are valid for five years, transferable across jobs and remain completely free of charge for volunteers. For those seeking paid employment, the check costs $113.30.

Certain transitional arrangements are still in place to make it easier for people to move into the new scheme. Previous Child-Related Employment screenings are recognised as a Working with Children Check and remain valid until they expire.

The updated Working with Children Check Information Kit and Infographic provides further details and resources.