The Department of Education (the Department) requires Working with Children (WWC) Checks for employees and non-employees undertaking child-related work to minimise the risk of harm to students attending public schools and Department sites and to fulfil its responsibilities under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004.
Employees undertaking child-related employment must:
Site managers must:
The Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004 is administered by the Department of Communities WWC Screening Unit and aims to:
The WWC Check is different and additional to the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) that all employees of the Department are required to undergo. In many cases, employees will require both checks. For more information visit the Department’s Screening website.
The WWC Recording System is accessible to staff who have been granted access via My Favourite Links on the Ikon home page (staff only). Further information about how to Manage Working With Children Check compliance can be accessed on Ikon. Access is automatically granted to principals, deputy or associate principals, manager corporate services, school officers, executive directors, directors, managers, and administrative assistants. Additional users can be added by the site manager using the ‘Roles’ tab within the WWC Recording System or Department of Education Account Manager (DAM).
Implementation of the policy is the responsibility of site managers.
Compliance monitoring is the responsibility of the Director, Standards and Integrity Directorate.
This policy applies to all Department employees employed in child-related employment and Department employees who manage individuals, including non-employees, engaged in child-related work.
Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites Procedures
Section 6 of the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004 determines that work is child-related if the usual duties of the work involve, or are likely to involve, contact with a child in connection with a category of child-related work which are outlined in the Act.
People who are not employees of the Department but attend Department worksites to engage in child-related work as a volunteer, visitor or external provider.
Officers, including principals, line managers and residential college managers who have executive responsibility for overall management and control of any Department of Education workplace.
Department of Commerce Circular to Departments and Authorities No.6 of 2008
Department of Commerce Pre-Employment Screening policy
Public Sector Management Act 1994 (WA)
School Education Act 1999 (WA)
Teacher Registration Act 2012 (WA)
Vocational Education and Training Act 1996
Child Protection in Department of Education Sites
Community Use of Public School Facilities
Criminal History Screening for Department of Education Sites
Duty of Care for Public School Students
Excursions in Public Schools Procedures
Occupational Safety and Health
Private Tutors in Public Schools
Recruitment, Selection and Appointment
Short-Term Visits/Study Tours by Overseas Students in Public Schools
Visitors and Intruders on Public School Premises
Policy manager:
Director, Standards and Integrity Directorate
Policy contact officer:
Senior Consultant, WWC Checks
Standards and Integrity Directorate
E: wwcc.query@education.wa.edu.au
Policy enquiries:
Standards and Integrity Directorate
Department of Education
151 Royal Street, East Perth, WA, 6004
E: wwcc.query@education.wa.edu.au
Legislation and application queries:
Working with Children Screening Unit
Department of Communities
PO Box 8553, Perth BC WA, 6849
T: 1800 883 979
| Effective date | Last update date | Policy version no. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 2009 | 30 August 2018 | 1.1 | |
| Minor changes to include reference to Public Schools D18/0151652 | |||
| 18 February 2020 | 2.0 | ||
| Major review undertaken and endorsed by the Director General on 6 November 2019 D19/0546474. | |||
| 18 February 2020 | 27 February 2020 | 2.1 | |
| Minor Change to update Related Documents. D20/0095704 | |||
| 26 July 2021 | 2.2 | ||
| Major changes to clarify compliance processes in policy endorsed by Director General on 15 April 2021. | |||
| 26 July 2021 | 10 June 2022 | 2.3 | |
| Minor change to correct repetition in Policy Rules and updated contact information D22/0448032 | |||
| 19 July 2023 | 3.0 | ||
| Major review and changes due to amendments to the Act as of 1/07/2023. Endorsed and signed by the DG 18 July 2023 D23/1065273 | |||
This policy:
Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites Policy v3.0
Supporting procedures:
Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites Procedures
Policy and all supporting documents:
Working with Children Checks in Department of Education Sites Policy Bundle
19 July 2026