Child care services and similar employment
Who needs a blue card?
Paid employees need a blue card if their work includes, or is likely to include:
- working as a carer or staff member in a child care service, or
- carrying out work other than child care at a child care service while child care is being provided, or
- providing child care in the course of a commercial service, other than a child care service
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.
For more information about child care services please contact your employer or the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) on 1800 637 711.
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...
- staff and carers in child care services
- babysitters and nannies
- paid employees carrying out work within a child care service (such as gardeners, cleaners or maintenance workers) while child care is being provided
- carers at a child care service within a hotel or resort, or
- carers at an adjunct care service.
Who doesn't need a blue card?
There are certain people who do not require a blue card under this category, including:
- registered health practitioners if the work they are doing relates to their function as a registered health practitioner.
If you require a blue or exemption card under this category you will need to complete and submit an application form.
Last Updated: 18 October, 2016
