Sport and active recreation
Who needs a blue card?
Volunteers and trainee students need a blue card if their work or practical placement in sport and active recreation includes, or is likely to include, providing services that are directed mainly towards children, or conducting activities that mainly involve children, unless an exemption applies.
Note - Volunteers and trainee students who work with a church, club or association may need a blue card but must apply under the Churches, clubs and associations involving children category of regulated employment.
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...
- Volunteers conducting sporting or recreational activities for children (outside of a church, club or association setting – see above)
- Entertainers running games and activities with children at birthday parties
- Trainee students doing placements at sporting clinics as part of their studies with an education provider,
- Volunteer photographers taking photographs of children at a sporting event.
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:
- People who work at amusement parks
- 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 services, or participates in the activities, that the person provides or conducts (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...
- Volunteers running stalls or activities at an amusement park
- Entertainers performing for children, but not interacting with them
- Parents volunteering in children’s sport or active recreation events in which their own child is participating (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),
- Adults participating in sport or recreational activities with children, for example as a team member.
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
