Education and 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 an educator in, or staff member of, an education and care service, or
- carrying out work at an education and care service premises while children are being educated and cared for at the premises, or
- employment where the usual functions of the employment include, or are likely to include, providing education and care to children in the course of a commercial service other than an education and 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 education and 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.
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
