Child care services and similar employment
Who needs a blue card?
Volunteer and trainee students 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
unless an exemption applies.
For more information about child care services please contact your employer or the Department of Education, Training and Employment 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...
- volunteer carers in child care services
- volunteer members of child care service committees
- people carrying out voluntary work within a child care service (such as volunteer gardeners, cleaners or maintenance workers)
- parents volunteering as an office bearer on a Parents and Friends or Parents and Citizens Association licensed to conduct an out-of-school hours care service
- parents volunteering at an out-of-school hours care service where their child does not receive care,
- trainee students doing a placement in a child care service as part of their studies with an education provider.
Who doesn't need a blue card?
A blue card is not required if the person is a:
- volunteer guest of a school or recognised body and are;
- observing or supplying information or entertainment to ten or more people, and
- the activity is for ten days or less on no more than two occasions per year, and
- the person is unlikely to be alone with a child without another adult present.
- volunteer at a national or state event organised by a school or recognised body:
- for a sporting, cultural or skill based activity, and
- the event is attended by more than 100 people, and
- the work is for ten days or less on no more than two occasions per year, and
- the person is unlikely to be alone with a child without another adult present.
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
- A volunteer parent of a child regularly receiving care at the child care service, and
- A child under 18 years of age, unless they are a trainee student doing a practical placement as part of their studies with an education provider.
Examples of people who don't need a blue card...
- Volunteer parents providing services or conducting activities at a child care service that their child regularly attends,
- Relatives or friends caring for a child as part of a private arrangement.
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
