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).
Non-school locations
Employment as a Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee is conditional on undergoing a criminal record check conducted by the Department. However, VPS employees may undertake a wide range of duties and it is possible an employee’s duties may constitute ‘child-related work’ and a WWC Check will be required. Managers should carefully assess the duties to be performed by the VPS employee to determine whether a criminal record check conducted by the Department will be sufficient, or whether the appointee will also require a WWC Check.
Managers should contact the Conduct and Integrity Division on 03 7034 6768 for advice on whether the duties to be performed meet the definition of ‘child-related work’ as contained in the Act.
Where the prospective employee’s duties will involve ‘child-related work’ as determined by the hiring manager, they will be required to undergo a WWC Check.
It is an offence for a VPS employee who requires a WWC Check to engage in ‘child-related work’ if they do not hold a current WWC Check.
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