Working with Children Registrations

More than 430 applications from Tasmanians working in Child Care for new Working with Children registrations have been received since applications opened on 1 July this year.

The new requirements aim to reduce the incidence of sexual, physical, psychological, emotional or financial harm or neglect of children in Tasmania.

The Liberal Government is providing a significant subsidy to volunteers to reduce the cost of new working with children requirements legislated under the previous government last year.

The application fee for volunteers will be $17.76 and for employees working with children $103.60.

Without the Government subsidy, the cost to volunteers would be $75.

This subsidy will allow thousands of volunteers around the State who work with children to continue doing their terrific work.

Tasmania is the last jurisdiction to introduce compulsory police checks as well as background risk assessments for people who work closely with children.

By 1 October people working in the Child Care sector must have a Working with Children registration or a valid safety screening clearance previously issued by the Department of Education.

The Working with Children registration will be rolled out progressively between 1 July 2014 and the end of 2016.

The first activity requiring registration is people working or volunteering in Child Care Services, but it will be progressively extended to cover people working with other categories of vulnerable people such as in coaching and tuition, and clubs, associations and religious movements.
Vanessa Goodwin, Minister for Justice