INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS AND COMPETITORS
ABOUT WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS
Recently, the following addition has been included in the AHSA Rule Book 2023 and will come in to effect soon.
Rule: From 1st October, 2023, the AHSA requires all Judges, Officials (volunteers), Professional Handlers, Professional Riders and Professional Trainers over the age of 18, competing at any AHSA event or an AHSA Affiliated event, to carry a current ‘Working with Children’ card.
Working with Children Check
You will need to obtain a working with children check if you intend to undertake paid or voluntary work in a role involving face-to-face contact with children. The types of work you will require the check for clearance include but is not limited to any services for children provided by a club, association, movement, society or other body. Further it is a requirement for all Directors and Committee members of a club, society, public company that has Junior Membership.
This check is designed to protect children from close contact with individuals who may pose a threat to their health and safety, such as individuals who have been convicted of sexual or violent offences against children. You will be required to provide details of your check, or application for your check, to your employer when you commence work.
What is required to work with children?
In Australia, people who work or volunteer with children are screened for suitability. As part of this screening process, nominated state agencies examine an applicant’s police information including criminal charges, offences, findings of guilt and professional conduct reports across the applicant’s lifetime. The screening process also considers the relevant state or territory legislation, which differs in each state.
If an applicant passes the screening processes, they may be registered to work with children or vulnerable people for a set period of time according to the state or territory that issues the registration.
What is required for an Organization
If your organisation is involved with children, whether it’s in a paid or voluntary capacity, you must register it online with the State Offices as listed below. Registering also allows you to verify that your workers have valid Working with Children Checks (WWCCs). You need to register with the online WWCC system, even if your organisation was registered under the old system.
If you are an employer in a child-related industry, it is your responsibility to ensure that each of your employees or volunteers has obtained a working with children check and you have registered your business with the State Offices as listed below.
Where is the AHSA up to in this process?
We are currently registering with all state bodies as an organization and anticipate completion by 22/09/23.
Where can I get a working with children check?
A single screening unit has been set up in each state and territory to conduct working with children checks and issue the resulting cards, registrations or permits. The following state and territory screening units are the only organisations allowed, under legislation, to conduct working with children checks:
