Welcome to the Working with Children Website for the Northern Territory

From 1 July 2011 it will be mandatory for people who have contact or potential contact with children in certain specified areas of employment to hold a Working with Children Clearance Notice. It’s important for applicants to lodge their applications prior to 1 April to allow adequate time to processing. For further information contact:

Email: safent.police@pfes.nt.gov.au
Phone: Freecall: 1800 SAFE NT (1800 72 33 68 - Australia wide callers only)
or (08) 8985 8985
Address: PO Box 39764, Winnellie NT 0821

Clearance Notices are designed to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work. Everyone who is issued with a Working with Children Clearance Notice will also receive an Ochre Card. The Ochre Card can be carried with you in a wallet or purse as easy proof that you hold a Working with Children Clearance Notice.

 

Employers must apply for an exemption for staff who have not received a Working with Children Clearance.

 

From 1 July 2011, it will be an offence to employ an individual in child related employment if the employee does not hold a valid Working with Children Clearance Notice. Penalties will apply. Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies must ensure that staff and/or volunteers who require a Working with Children Clearance have applied before 1 July 2011. In the event the Clearance Notice is not processed by 1 July 2011, it is the responsibility of the Employer to request an exemption for individual staff members/volunteers. Exemptions are granted by the Chief Executive of the Department of Children and Families and will normally apply for a period of 90 days.

 

The process of securing an exemption will require Employers to indicate what mechanisms are in place to promote the safety of Territory children in workplaces and volunteer organisations.

The exemption will ensure staff and employers are not in breach of the legislation in the event that they have not received the WWCC before 1 July 2011.

To apply for an Exemption, please refer to forms section on this website.