Working with children check in – state government legislation

Description

This article explains the legal requirements for obtaining and verifying a Working with Children Check in South Australia.

Overview

Since July 2019, South Australia has introduced stricter screening laws for people working orvolunteering with children. These laws were based on recommendations from both state and federal royal commissions.

Anyone working or volunteering with children in South Australia must have a current ‘Not Prohibited’ Working with Children Check issued by the Department of Human Services (SA).

It is an offence to:

• work or volunteer in a child-related role without a valid Working with Children Check
• work or volunteer in a child-related role if you are prohibited from doing so
• employ or engage someone for a child-related role who either doesn’t have a valid

check, or is prohibited from working with children

Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to $120,000 and/or imprisonment.

Checks are valid for five years. If you already hold a valid check, you don’t need to apply again for each organisation. Other organisations can verify your existing check with the Department of Human Services.

What this means for Anglican parishes and councils

The Diocese requires compliance with its Safe Ministry Policy. Under this policy, the following people must obtain a Working with Children Check:

• all clergy
• all lay ministers and lay leaders
• anyone providing ministry to children and vulnerable people

These individuals must also comply with the Diocese’s Safe Ministry Policy.

Related resources

• Safe Ministry Policy
• Safe Ministry Policy and related documents