The Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check is critical for compliance in some industries, and highly regarded in others that work with vulnerable people.
The WorkPro platform allows businesses to request, track and manage these checks from a visual dashboard to easily maintain control of their workforce compliance.
From electronic collection to expiry and re-check notifications, WorkPro removes the manual administration of managing these checks, and streamlines the process for candidates so they can get compliant and ready for work faster.
These checks are a mandatory requirement for most positions that work with children or vulnerable members of the community, in either a paid or voluntary capacity. Businesses must not hire anyone who does not have a valid check, unless a specific state-based exemption applies or they have lodged an application for a check that is in the process of being assessed.
A Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check reviews a candidate’s criminal record in all Australian states and territories, as well as checking any findings of workplace misconduct. The result of a check is either a clearance to work with children, vulnerable people or groups for a specified period of time, or a bar against working with these groups.
If your organisation fails to comply with this relevant legislation at any time, there may be consequences for both the individual and the organisation. This includes fines and imprisonment.
There is no single check that covers an individual worker across every State and Territory in Australia. Each Australian State and Territory has its own screening unit to conduct the relevant check and issue the resulting card, registration or permit.
Each of these checks may differ in terms of who is required to be registered, how long the registration is valid for, and the type of history that may prevent an individual from successfully passing the check.
For example, an employee who legally requires a check, who works in both Victoria and Tasmania, would need both a Victorian Working With Children Check and a Tasmanian Working With Vulnerable People Check.
All Australian States and Territories offer checks for both paid and volunteer workers.
The majority of checks will take between two and four weeks from the initial application to receiving the check. Some people may receive their results within a few days, others may wait longer depending on the information supplied. There are many reasons as to why some checks may take longer than others to process, including: