A working with children check involves the Department of Human Services Screening Unit looking at the assessable information relating to a person against the prescribed risk assessment criteria and determining whether or not the person poses an unacceptable risk to children [see Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA) s 26(1)]. It does not just involve a police check [ s 25(2)]. The unit must determine whether or not the person is prohibited from working with children [s 26(5)]. The unit is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inform itself as it thinks fit [s 26(3)]. It must, however, conduct working with children checks in accordance with guidelines published in the Gazette [ss 4 and 26(4)].

A working with children check may be used in relation to any child-related work even if it was conducted in relation to a particular position, service, activity or employer [s 26(6)].