Blue Cards

Volunteers over the age of 18 years who work with children and young people must hold a Working with Children Check if their work falls into a category of regulated employment, regardless of how often they will come into contact with children and young people, unless an exemption applies. A person can apply for a Working With Children Check three months prior to turning 18 years in preparation to begin/continue volunteering at the age of 18. Their blue card will be issued on their 18th birthday.

Due to Surf Lifesaving’s unique nature and large, varying scope of activities, SLSQ has recognised and accepted that parent members who are actively involved in working with and/or supervising children are not, or are very unlikely to be, involved in activities without their children from week to week.

Positions held in SLS who must apply for a Working With Children check

The following is a list of positions in Surf Lifesaving where the people in those positions, if over 18 years of age, must complete the screening procedures and hold a positive notice blue card:

• Committee Members
• Junior Activities Chairperson and Committee Members
• Team Managers / Assistant Team Managers
• Age Managers and Assistant Age Managers
• Cadet / Youth Officers
• Chief Training Officer, Training Officers and Assessors
• Patrol Captains and Patrol Members
• Coaches / Assistant Coaches
• Chaperones
• Officials
• Water Safety Personnel (including Nipper Adult Assistants)
• Photographers
• Peer Support Officers
• All People in Positions of Authority involved in a “live-in” situation or camp
• Caretakers (including Live-in)
• Grievance Officers/Complaint Officers/MPIO
• Child Safety Officers
• All members who are participating in any surf life saving educational course (accredited or non-accredited). This includes awards for lifesaving, surf sports and membership/junior activities.
• All members applying for a credit transfer/RPL

Further information on the Blue Card process and requirements can be found in the SLSQ Admin Manual here: Blue cards