The WWC Check is a child safety strategy which provides ongoing screening of individuals who engage in child-related work, including teachers, child health nurses, child care educators, foster carers, youth workers and more.
Self-employed people undertaking child-related work, such as a babysitter, tutor, children’s party entertainer or driving instructor, also require a valid WWC Card. If you are looking to engage the work of a self-employed individual we encourage you to ask to see their WWC Card and validate the details online.
The WWC Check is only one of many child-safe strategies. Visit Safer WA for Children and Young People for other ways that you can help keep your kids safe.
Have you checked?
To help promote this message, the “Have you checked?” campaign highlights the importance of any self-employed individual offering child-related work to have a current WWC Card. We want to empower parents to feel confident to ask to see the WWC Card and validate the details online.
To find out more about the campaign and download the assets visit the “Have you checked?” campaign page.
Information sessions
The WWC Screening Unit hold online information sessions for parents and guardians, providing an overview of the WWC Check, and things to consider when engaging individuals in child-related work. Visit our Eventbrite page to see the next online session.
The next online session will be held on Wednesday, 11 June at 12:30pm. You can register via our Eventbrite page.
The WWC Check is only one of many child-safe strategies. There is more information on the Child Safe Organisations Knowledge Hub about other ways that you can help keep your kids safe.
Parent and guardians - Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone who’s applied for a WWC Card still work with my child?
Show moreYes, most of the time.
An individual can show their receipt to prove that they have a pending WWC application and are permitted to work with children.
However, an individual cannot work with a pending application if they have a conviction or pending charge for a Class 1 offence committed as an adult, have been issued with a negative notice or an interim negative notice.
You can check the status of their WWC application online.
Does a self-employed individual have to show me their WWC Card?
Show moreThere is no legal obligation for a self-employed individual to show you their WWC Card, however it is strongly recommended that you ask to see and verify that the individual has a valid Card. You can check the validity of their WWC Card online.
If the individual is unable or unwilling to produce their WWC Card, then you should consider whether you want to use their services, or seek another provider who does have a WWC Card.
Does someone who is employed or engaged by an organisation, have to show me their WWC Card?
Show moreNo, if you found an individual through an organisation, i.e. a babysitter through a babysitting company, this person does not need to show you their WWC Card.
The obligation is on the organisation to ensure that any employee that is engaged in child-related work has a current and valid WWC Card.
Whilst there is no legal requirement for an organisation to release this information, you can ask them to confirm that the person has a current WWC Card.
What do I do if they refuse to show me their WWC Card, or their employer will not confirm that they have one?
Show moreShould you have any concerns that an individual may be undertaking child-related work without a WWC Card, contact the WWC Screening Unit and provide us, with their name, contact details and organisation details (if applicable) and we will follow this up.
If you have any concerns about the individual’s suitability, accreditation or conduct or that of the organisation, you should consider not using their services and seek another provider who does have a WWC Card.
My neighbour has offered to babysit my child as a favour – do they need a WWC Card?
Show moreNo, this would be considered a informal or private arrangement and a WWC Card is not required in this scenario.
However, if this becomes a formal arrangement, then your neighbour would need a WWC Card. An example of a formal arrangement might include a person advertising their services.
What is the parent volunteer exemption?
Show moreIn some circumstances parents may be exempt from applying for a WWC Check, this is called a parent volunteer exemption. Refer to Factsheet CRW03: Exemptions, The parent volunteer exemption (PDF, 509KB) for more information.
Please note, an individual with a current negative notice, interim negative notice, or adverse interstate WWC decision is unable to access certain volunteer exemptions, including the parent volunteer exemption. For further information refer to Factsheet CRW04: Exemptions, Narrowing of access (PDF, 379KB).
When might I be considered an employer and what are my obligations?
Show moreIf you employ someone directly to work with your children, for example a nanny or an au pair, and that individual is not self-employed or working for an agency or other organisation, then you are considered their employer.
As an employer of someone in child-related work in Western Australia there are certain obligations you have under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004. Most importantly, you must remove the person from child-related work immediately if they are issued with a negative notice or interim negative notice, or if you become aware that they have an adverse interstate WWC decision. For further information please visit What is the WWC Check?
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