An application for working with children check (WWCC) must be made to the Department of Human Services Screening Unit accompanied by information reasonably required by the unit, as well as the prescribed fee [s 27]. An application may be made by the person themselves or by their employer [s 27(2) and reg 16(1)]. The person’s employer must notify them of the application [reg 16(2)].

If an application for a WWCC is made, but before it is conducted the person to whom the application relates becomes a prohibited person under the law of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory or by reason of having been found guilty of a prescribed offence, the unit need not conduct or continue the WWCC in relation to the application [reg 16(3)].

Similarly the unit may refuse to consider an application if it has already conducted a WWCC in the last 5 years and issued a prohibition notice to the person that has not been revoked [s 27(3)].

The unit must issue a receipt to each applicant for a WWCC and a unique identifier (if they don’t already have one) [s 27(4)].

The unit must conduct or continue a WWCC even if an application is withdrawn [s 28]. The unit may also conduct a WWCC in relation to a person at any time on its own motion [s 30].