1. What is the Blue Card system?
All children in Queensland have a right to be safe and protected from harm. The Blue Card System contributes to the creation of safe service environments for children by regulating activities that are essential to children’s lives.
The Blue Card System is regulated by two (2) pieces of legislation: the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020 (the Regulation).
2. Who needs a Blue Card?
To work or volunteer with children in Queensland you may need a Blue or Exemption Card. Whether an individual requires a Blue Card will depend on several factors, including the environment where the work is performed, type of work and frequency of work.
To require a Blue Card, an individual’s services or activities must fall within one of the sixteen (16) categories of regulated employment under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act). Surf Life Saving Clubs in Queensland fall within the sixteen (16) categories of regulated employment under “Churches, Clubs and Associations”.
A Blue Card is required for people working or volunteering at a church, club, association or similar entity that provides services to children or conducts activities with children.
B01 Blue Card-Screening Policy provides a list of some of the positions that require Blue Cards.
If you are unsure if a you or a member needs a Blue Card, please contact bluecards@lifesaving.com.au
3. Do I need a Blue Card if I’m under 18 years old?
You do not need a Blue Card if you are a volunteer who is under 18 and not a restricted person.
However, if you are a trainee student doing a practical placement as part of your studies or if you continue volunteering after you turn 18, you will need to apply for a Blue Card. You can apply three (3) months before you turn 18 and —if approved, your card will be issued on your 18th birthday.
If you need clarification on if you require a Blue Card, please email bluecards@lifesaving.com.au
4. Do I need a Blue Card if I am a registered teacher or police officer?
If you’re a registered teacher or police officer in Queensland, you are exempt from needing a blue card when working with children as part of your professional duties.
However, this exemption only applies to tasks directly related to your profession.
For other roles, such as volunteering at a Surf Life Saving Club, you’ll need to apply for an exemption card instead of a blue card. An exemption card serves the same purpose and can be used in place of a blue card for these activities.
5. What positions or roles in SLSQ need a Blue Card?
According to the B01 Blue Card-Screening Policy, individuals aged 18 and over in the following positions must complete 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 Development Officers;
- Chief Training Officer and Training Officers;
- Assessors;
- Patrol Captains;
- 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/MPIOs;
- 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; or
- All members applying for a credit transfer/RPL.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. If a role or position within Surf Life Saving provides services to children or conducts activities with children, the member in that role will require a Blue Card.
If you are unsure if a person needs a blue card, please contact bluecards@lifesaving.com.au
6. Do I need a Blue Card if I’m a Nipper Parent?
SLSQ has 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. Therefore, parent members who are not involved in roles or functions listed above may not be required to hold a blue card.
Example is if you are a parent supervising your child during their weekly nipper activities, in a observer capacity only and not holding one of the positions listed above, then you will not be required to hold a Blue Card.
7. Can I use a Working With Children Check from another state?
No, Queensland does not recognise working with children checks issued in other states. Blue cards are issued under Queensland legislation as part of a Queensland Government initiative, and the state has its own specific rules and requirements for working with children.
If you plan to work or volunteer with children in Queensland, you must apply for a blue card, even if you already hold a working with children check from another state or territory.
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