Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did the Northern Territory Government introduce a Working with Children Clearance?
- Why do I need to be screened for "child-related" employment?
- What is a Working with Children Clearance?
- What is a Clearance Notice?
- What is an Ochre Card?
- How much will it cost?
- What if I don’t apply?
- What does the Working with Children Clearance screen for?
- How is Working with Children Clearance screening different to a Police Criminal History Check?
- What is “child-related work?”
- If I have had a Police Criminal History Check, do I still need a Working with Children Clearance?
- Can I still pass the Working with Children Clearance screening if I have a criminal history?
- Who will conduct the screening for the Working with Children Clearance?
- How do I know that I have passed the Working with Children Clearance screening?
- What happens if someone does not pass the Working with Children Clearance screening?
- How long is the Working with Children Clearance valid for?
- What if I have a volunteer card and I start "child-related" employment?
- Who must hold a Clearance Notice?
- Who is exempt?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Northern Territory Government introduce a Working with Children Clearance?
The Working with Children Clearance is one of a range of initiatives introduced under the Care and Protection of Children Act, to increase the safety of children and young people in the community. It helps to prevent or deter those people who may harm or exploit children from working with them in either a paid or volunteer capacity.
Why do I need to be screened for child-related employment?
This is to ensure that any person that poses an unacceptable risk of harm or exploitation is prevented from contacting children through their employment.
What is a Working with Children Clearance?
A Working with Children Clearance is what you need to apply for if you want to work or volunteer in “child-related" work. People who have a Working with Children Clearance can demonstrate that they have undergone the necessary screening to work with children.
A Clearance Notice is provided to you after successfully applying for a Working with Children Clearance.
An Ochre Card is the photo identification card that will be issued to you once you have received a Clearance Notice. You can keep it in your wallet as proof that you are cleared to work or volunteer in “child-related" work.
The cost of a Working with Children Clearance (including the Ochre Card) is $52.00 for employees and $5.00 for volunteers. ($21 for Replacement Card)
If you have not applied for a Working with Children Clearance by 1 July 2011 it will be against the law for you to work or volunteer in "child-related" work. A penalty of up to $65,000 can be issued to an individual if they are found to be in breach of this law. It will also be an offence for your employer or volunteer organisation to involve you in “child-related” work.
What does the Working with Children Clearance screen for?
A Working with Children Clearance screening is a criminal and employment record check which ensures there is nothing in the candidate’s history which may constitute a serious risk of harm to children.
How is Working with Children Clearance Screening different to a Police Criminal History Check?
The Working with Children Clearance provides legislative approval for an individual to engage in child related employment for a 2 year period.
This means if a relevant criminal offence is committed during the period the Working with Children Clearance is in force, SAFE NT can inform employers, impose conditions on the clearance notice or withdraw the Working with Children Clearance.
The Care and Protection of Children Act and Regulations set out the list of activities that are “child-related” work. If you have additional questions, contact 1800 SAFE NT (1800 72 33 68).
If I have had a Police Criminal History Check do I still need a Working with Children Clearance?
Yes, it is still compulsory to apply for a Working with Children Clearance even if you have had a police check.
Can I still pass the Working with Children Screening if I have a Criminal History?
Only certain offences will disqualify you from engaging in "child-related" work. Other types of criminal histories will be considered in the context of the likelihood of risk of harm to children.
Who will conduct the screening for the Working with Children Clearance?
SAFE NT will conduct the screening for "child-related" employment in the Northern Territory. SAFE NT is a unit of the Northern Territory Police. SAFE NT stands for Screening Assessment for Employment in the Northern Territory.
How do I know that I have passed the Working with Children Screening?
People who pass the Working with Children Screening will be sent a Clearance Notice and an Ochre Card. Your Ochre Card can be used to prove you have a current Working with Children Clearance.
What happens if someone does not pass the Working with Children Screening?
SAFE NT will advise them that they will not have a Clearance Notice issued and will not be able to work in "child-related" employment. If they do not agree with the decision, they can ask for it to be reviewed in the Local Court of the Northern Territory. SAFE NT will provide information on how to lodge an appeal with the Local Court.
How long is the Working with Children Clearance valid for?
A Working with Children Clearance is valid for two years from the date of issue (unless revoked). If a person wishes to continue to work or volunteer with children after this time they will need to apply again.
What if I have a volunteer card and I start "child-related" employment?
If a person who holds an Ochre Card marked with a V for Volunteer enters paid "child-related" employment their card remains valid until expiry.
If that person continues in "child-related" employment they must then pay $50.00 for renewal of their Working with Children Clearance and they will then be issued with an Ochre Card marked with an E for Employment.
Who must hold a Clearance Notice?
Any person over the age of 15 years already working in, or who wants to work or volunteer in, “child-related" work must hold a Clearance Notice. Any person whose employer or volunteer organisation requires them to work with children as part of their employment or volunteering role must hold a Clearance Notice.
There are a few limited circumstances where a person may be exempt from having to apply for a Clearance Notice, such as where the person provides babysitting or child minding in a private capacity to family or friends. Check the WWC website www.workingwithchildren.nt.gov.au.