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Working with Children Check

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2019

GOVERNMENT PENALTIES FOR NOT VERIFYING WWC NUMBERS

Sports clubs can now be penalised if they don’t verify the WWC Numbers of their workers and volunteers. Click here for Penalty Notice Information

FREE CHILD SAFE WORKSHOPS

Free Child Safe workshops for sport clubs and child based organisations are now available. Click here to view workshop locations

WWC Application

The Working with Children Check is a Government requirement and a Football NSW condition of registration.

For assistance visit a NSW Service Centre or Phone 02 9286 7276.

Update or Renew your WWC

GUIDELINES

For Clubs, Associations and Referee Branches

For Coaches, Manages, Volunteers, Referees and Employees

What you need to know when working with Kids

Exemptions

Exempt from the WWCC

  • Persons under 18 years of age
  • Grounds persons
  • Guest presenters or speakers for a one-off presentation
  • Persons who work or volunteer with children visiting NSW from another State to attend an event where the work in NSW will be for no more than 30 days in a calendar year.

Not exempt from the WWCC

  • Parents volunteering at an overnight camp or tour involving children under 18 years of age
  • Parents coaching or managing their own child’s team are NOT exempt (refer FNSW Policy)
  • Referees are NOT exempt (refer FNSW Policy)
  • Police Officers, Corrections Officers and School Teachers are not exempt
  • Committee members are not exempt, even if their own child attends the club

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.  How do I apply for a WWC number?

Click here to Apply for a Working with Children Check

Q2: Who requires a WWC number?

The following are required to obtain a WWCC and provide their WWC number to their club or other entity they are registering with:

  • All paid persons working with children under 18 years of age
  • All parents volunteering at an overnight camp or tour involving children aged under 18 years  ‘NEW’
  • All coaches, managers working in paid or volunteer role with children under 18 years
  • All technical directors working in a paid or volunteer role with children under 18 years
  • All referees (except those under 18 years of age)
  • All committee members of organisations with participants aged under 18 years of age
  • All Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs)
  • Persons in any other child related roles not listed unless exempt.

Q3:  Paid or Volunteer WWCC?

Persons working in paid capacity or are self-employed apply for PAID Working With Children Check.  Paid work includes any form of remuneration such as in cash, in kind, honorariums, allowances, gift vouchers, reduced player fees and any other forms of payment.

  • A paid Working With Children Check is valid for both paid and volunteer work.
  • A volunteer Working With Children Check is for volunteer work only.

Q4:  How much does a WWCC cost?

  • A ‘paid’ WWC costs $80 and is renewed every 5 years.
  • A ‘volunteer’ WWC is free and is renewed every 5 years.

The $80 fee is paid at a NSW Service Centre when providing proof of ID for your application.

The WWC is free for volunteers, no payment is required when  providing proof of ID at a NSW Service Centre.

Q5:  How long does a WWC number last?

A WWC number lasts 5 years.

Q6: Why do applicants need to attend a NSW Service Centre?

After completing a WWC application online, applicants will receive an APP (application) number.  Applicants must then take their APP Number to a NSW Service Centre and show proof of identification to complete the application process.  Applicants for a ‘paid’ WWC will also be required to pay $80 at the NSW Service Centre.

Q7:   How long after attending a NSW Service Centre will an applicant receive a WWC Number?

Applicants usually receive their WWC Number by email within approximately 7 days after attending a NSW Service Centre.   Some applications can take longer if further clarification of ID or further information is required.

Q8. What does a WWC Number look like?

  • Paid WWC Number – WWC123456E     (‘E’ is for employed)
  • Volunteer WWC Number – WWC1234567V    (‘V’ is for volunteer)

Q9: Can a volunteer WWC Number be used for a paid role?

No, a volunteer WWC Number can only be used for a volunteer role.

If a person’s status changes from volunteer to paid, the person completes a Change of Details request on-line and then attends a NSW Service Centre to provide proof of ID and pay the $80 fee for a ‘paid’ WWC.

Q10. Can a paid WWC Number be used for a volunteer position?

Yes, a paid WWC Number that ends in an ‘E’ can be used for both paid and volunteer positions.

Q11: What if a person refuses to provide a WWC number to their club, association, centre or branch?

Unfortunately, where a person is unable to satisfy the requirements of the NSW Working with Children Check or the FNSW WWC Policy, they are not permitted to work or volunteer in a child related role within FNSW.

Q12:  Why are most Referees required to apply for a Paid WWCC?

Most referees are paid to referee and paid referees are required to apply for a ‘paid’ WWCC.   Any form of remuneration in return for refereeing is deemed to be payment, including payment in cash or kind, allowances, gift vouchers or other forms of payment.  The requirement to obtain a ‘paid’ WWCC still applies even if a referee claims his/her payments as a ‘hobby’ using a hobby declaration form.  If income derived from refereeing is declared by the individual as taxable income, the cost of the WWCC may be tax deductible but the referee must obtain their own taxation advice in this regard.   Referees who are volunteer referees and receive no payment or remuneration in return for refereeing can apply for a ‘volunteer’ WWCC.      Referee’s under 18 years of age are exempt and cannot apply for a WWC.

Member Protection Information Officers

It is a mandatory requirement of FNSW that every club, association and referee branch has at a minimum of one (1) Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO).  Click here for further information    All MPIOs are required to have a WWC Number.

WWC Compliance Audits and Fines

Failure to obtain WWC Numbers from workers and volunteers in child related roles, verify all WWC Numbers obtained and keep a record of all WWC employee and volunteer verifications can result in significant Government fines and a non-compliance notification to NSW Police.

Failure by an individual who holds a WWC Number to keep their personal details updated in the WWC system can result in a NSW Government fine.

It is a requirement of Football NSW that all clubs, associations, referee branches and participants are compliant with the FNSW WWC Policy.

It is a legal requirement that all clubs, associations, referee branches and individuals working or volunteering with children are compliant with the NSW Working with Children Check.

The NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and Football NSW reserve the right to conduct compliance audits on any club, association, branch, futsal centre or referee branch affiliated to FNSW.

Child Safe Clubs

Being a Child Safe club is integral to providing a safe sport environment for children.  The safety of all children involved in football is important to children and their parents, guardians and families.  It is also important to your club, association, branch, centre and referee branch and committees and MPIOs should have a sound understanding of the principles of child safety and apply these in a workable and practical manner within your organisation.

Child Protection and Child Safe Strategies for clubs coaches and parents

Becoming a Child Safe Organisation

Links

FOOTBALL NSW ASSOCIATIONS