Child accommodation services including home stays
Who needs a blue card?
Paid employees need a blue card if their work includes, or is likely to include, providing a child accommodation service, including home stay, for at least:
- eight consecutive days, or
- once a week, each week, over four weeks, or
- once a fortnight, each fortnight, over eight weeks, or
- once a month, each month, over six months
unless an exemption applies.
Each adult occupant residing the home, other than the home stay provider, is taken to be a volunteer and may require a blue card. Find out more about the blue card requirements for adult occupants.
Police officers and registered teachers do not apply for a blue card and should instead apply for an exemption card under this category if they are providing child-related services which are outside of their professional duties. Read more about applying for an exemption card (PDF, 231KB).
Find out more about the application process for disability service providers (PDF, 287KB)
If you are a state government employee there are specific application forms which can be obtained from your Department's HR or Screening area.
Examples of people who need a blue card...
- A person being paid to provide a home stay service to any person under 18 years of age in their home.
Who doesn't need a blue card?
A blue card is not required if:
- the child accommodation service is organised by a school or recognised body and is for ten days or less on no more than two occasions per year.
There are certain people who do not require a blue card under this category, including:
- Relatives of the child or young person who is being accommodated, and
- Any persons in the home who are under 18 years of age.
Examples of people who don't need a blue card...
- A parent, grandparent, great grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or cousin.
If you require a blue or exemption card under this category you will need to complete and submit an application form.
Last Updated: 30 June, 2014
