This topic is currently under review to ensure that it meets requirements under the recently amended Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic), from 19 October 2026.
In the meantime, please refer to Working with Children Checks and other Suitability Checks for School Volunteers and Visitors for information about the changes in relation to volunteers and contractors.
For employees, the department’s central payroll system (eduPay) will automatically notify the Social Services Regulator (SSR) of required information to connect workers with the new Working With Children Connect portal. School must continue to follow requirements for recruitment and onboarding including in relation to Working with Children Checks for non-VIT registered staff.
You can also find information about implementation of the changes and the updated WWCC template procedures that schools must adopt at the School Policy Templates Portal to be compliant with the new requirements: Working with Children Clearance procedure and register (staff login required)(opens in a new window).
Introduction
The Department of Education and Training (the Department) and school councils have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all children and employees, and to maintain the security of assets by requiring and maintaining high standards of professional conduct from employees and volunteers.
In meeting these responsibilities, the Department and school councils must be satisfied that only those employees and volunteers who meet the highest standards of probity and suitability are employed. Such assessments may include reference or referee checks, medical assessments, qualification verification, a criminal record check and/or a Working With Children Check.
Verification of suitability for employment is assisted by ensuring the employment of new school based employees proceeds in accordance with legislative obligations pursuant to the Worker Screening Act 2020 (for non-teaching employees and volunteers) and Education and Training Reform Act 2006 Part 2.6 Victorian Institute of Teaching (for principals and teachers).
The authority for the policy and procedures is Ministerial Order 1388 (PDF) which applies to the principal class, teacher class and education support class employed by the Department, and Ministerial Order 1389 (PDF) for all non-teaching staff and casual relief teachers employed by school councils.
Allied health staff (employed as Victorian Public Servants) and nurses employed by the Department are also covered by this policy.
These guidelines set out the policy and procedures to be followed in relation to suitability and probity checks that are required.
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