Working With Children Check

 Why is keeping children safe so important?

Lifesaving Victoria has a moral obligation to protect its young members (U18). It now also has a State legal requirement to ensure all young members are protected from physical and sexual harm. This legal requirement involves all members 18 years and older who undertake volunteer work that:

"usually involves, or is likely usually to involve, regular direct contact with a child in connection with a service, body, place or activity specified in sub‐section (3) in circumstances where that contact is not directly supervised by another person."
Source: Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic).

What does a Working With Children Check (WWCC) include?

The Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic) includes a compulsory Working With Children Check for all employees and volunteers who work in connection with 20 occupational areas and who have regular, direct and not directly (indirect) supervised contact with children. This check has implications for all areas of Life Saving Victoria as many of our activities involve young members (U18) including:

• patrols
• competition
• coaching
• instructing
• assessing
• day‐to‐day club activities and operations

A WWCC will consider offences of a sexual, violent and drug related nature. The WWCC includes:

• national criminal record check for relevant convictions, findings of guilt and relevant pending charges
• a review of relevant findings from prescribed professional disciplinary bodies (currently only the Victorian Institute of Teaching).

There is no difference between a volunteer and employee check except the cost. A Volunteer WWCC is FREE however a Employment WWCC requires payment.

Please note: A Volunteer WWCC CANNOT be used for employment purposes.

The legislation does provide certain exemptions from obtaining the check. However given the broad nature of Life Saving Victoria's activities, it would be almost impossible to apply the exemptions and therefore at Black Rock Life Saving Club we require all Active members over the age of 18 to undertake a Working With Children (WWC) check, in line with State Government Legislation.

How do I obtain a WWCC?

1. Obtain an application form from Australian Post or from our club.

Fill in the form using the follwing information

Details of Child-Related Work

11. List the area(s)

Section D - Details of Child-Related Work

Use the following codes:

10 (Overnight Camps)
70 (Clubs & Associations)

Section E - Details Organisation/s

Name of primary Organisation

LIFE SAVING VICTORIA
200 THE BOULEVARD
PORT MELBOURNE
VIC 3207

03 9676 6900

Name of other Organisation

BLACK ROCK LIFE SAVING CLUB
PO BOX 40
BLACK ROCK
VIC 3193

03 9598 9571

3. Provide 100 points of identification (refer to application form).

4. Provide a passport size photo (must be regulated size and taken within the last 12 months).

5. Lodge at Australia Post by booking a WWCC check appointment (remember it is free) and receive an 'Application Receipt' (back page of application form), as evidence of submitting your form. The application receipt number in the top right hand corner is your WWCC number. A list of local post offices that provide this facility is below:

41B Bluff Road
Black Rock
VIC 3913

28 East Concourse
Beaumaris
VIC 3913

349 Balcombe Road
Beaumaris
VIC 3193

22 Bay Road
Sandringham
VIC 3191

The application receipt acts as a temporary WWCC until your application is processed. Once you have lodged your application and obtained a receipt, you can partake in activities involving children. The verified receipt can be used until the application is decided, or for a maximum of 60 days from the date of issue, whichever occurs sooner.

Applicants and employers are encouraged to check the status of an application online at https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwc/wwc‐online‐check.

What do I do once I receive the Card?

Usually the the Department of Justice notifies the club on successful application and provides the club with an image of the card. Once you receive your card please inform the membership registrar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that the loop can be closed. The WWCC is valid for five (5) years.

I already have a WWCC Card, do I have to apply again?

You can do this by updating your details with the Department of Justice. This can easily be done on-line at http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/Working+With+Children/Find/Online+Services/

Also please forward your name, WWCC number and expiry date to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , the club is required to have these details recorded for every adult member

What happens if my application is denied?

The WWCC looks for criminal activity relevant to the physical and sexual safety of children under 18 years of age. If a member has their application denied, they are issued with a Negative Notice by the Victorian Department of Justice. The member (applicant) and Life Saving Victoria's CEO will be informed. It is important to understand that Life Saving Victoria maintains strict adherence to privacy legislation which regulates such personal information being broadcast to a wider audience. If a member does have their application denied, they cannot be a member of Life Saving Victoria.