Churches, clubs and associations involving children
Who needs a blue card?
Volunteers and trainee students need a blue card if their work or practical placement in a church, club, association or similar entity includes, or is likely to include, providing services that are mainly directed at children, or conducting activities that mainly involve children, unless an exemption applies.
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 coaches for children at sporting or recreational clubs
- Volunteers conducting children’s activities at churches
- Parents volunteering in an official capacity on a club’s committee, even if their child is a member of that club,
- Trainee students doing placements in a church, club or association 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 with children and young people relates to their function as a registered health practitioner
- a volunteer parent of a child who receives the same or similar services, or participates in the same or similar activities, to those that the person provides at the church, club or association (note – volunteer parents should speak to the volunteer coordinator of the organisation they intend to volunteer for about the nature of the child-related activities they will be involved in, and whether they differ from the activities in which their child participates), 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 coaching or managing a team at a sporting or recreational club if their child is a member of that club and receiving the same or similar services as those provided by the parent (note – volunteer parents should speak to the volunteer coordinator of the organisation they intend to volunteer for about the nature of the child-related activities they will be involved in, and whether they differ from the activities in which their child participates)
- Cleaners or grounds keepers employed in a voluntary capacity by a church, club, association or similar entity as this service is directed to the organisation, rather than children,
- Administration staff employed in a voluntary capacity by a church, club, association or similar entity as this service is directed to the organisation, rather than children.
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
