8.3.4. Blue Cards

SLSQ Blue Card Procedure ADM006 – Completing Blue Card Applications & Submission to Blue Card Services
176.11.20 – Blue Cards Application Procedure further information

!Clubs are reminded that they do not have permission to update or add in Blue Card details in Surfguard.
SLSQ has to link and validate a card prior to it being added to the members profile in Surfguard.
Please note that just because someone has a physical Blue Card it does not mean its valid.

Apply Online with Blue Card Services Portal

Applying through the Blue Card Services online Applicant Portal is a straightforward and efficient way to obtain or renew your blue card or exemption card. Refer to the Blue Card Application Quick Reference Guide

• Step 1 Confirm you hold valid Qld Department of Transport & Main Roads product.
• Step 2 Register for a Blue Card Services online account and record your account number. Currently linked valid card holders only: when registering online to renew and SLSQ is listed in your linked organisations continue to complete your renewal application online.
• Step 3 Provide your account number/valid blue card or exemption card and date of birth details to SLSQ survey.
  • SLSQ will link your account/valid card.
• Step 4 Login to your Blue Card Services Application Portal to complete and submit your application.
• Step 5 Blue Card Services will issue your card, SLSQ will enter blue card details in Surfguard.
• Step 6 Complete the (blank)SLSQ Child Youth Risk Management Strategies Course (CYRMS) and SLS-Child Safe Awareness Course.

If you currently hold or have had a blue card, when registering online enter your previous or current blue card number for your details to be matched in the Blue Card Services system.

Ensure you renew before current card expires and is still linked to SLSQ, within 3 months but at least 1 month before to allow for processing.

Linking To SLSQ

!If you hold a current blue card that you obtained for another organisation/service; either paid, volunteer or exempt; it is a requirement to link your current Blue Card to Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ). This notifies Blue Card Services you will be commencing work/volunteering with Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ). Blue card Services *MUST * be notified of all organisations/services your Blue card is linked with.

Link current blue cards and exemption cards and account numbers by providing SLSQ with the required details through the SLSQ survey

• Ensure members have an active Surfguard profile with your club for the details to be entered.
• Essential all details are accurate and correct.
  

To link an online blue card account or valid blue card send details to SLSQ through survey, providing the following details:

• Blue card online account number/ sighted Blue card/Exemption card number
• Full name of member
• Date of birth
• If individual is a volunteer with the club or a paid staff of the club
  

Queensland Working With Children Cards

Each state has their own working with children checks with their own requirements, therefore we are unable to link cards from other states. Blue cards are issued as an initiative of the Queensland Government under Queensland legislation.

Applying before account is linked

If yourself or one of your members receive the message ‘We need more information from your volunteer organisation’, you have tried to apply for a volunteer blue card before being linked to an organisation.

To resolve this please provide the blue card account number and member details to link in the SLSQ survey.
If you do not have an account number recorded, the individual can obtain it by calling Blue Card Services on 07 3211 6999 or 1800 113 611.

Queensland Department of Transport And Main Roads Products

All supporting documents for proof of identification must be a Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) issued product. This is electronically certified for you when registering online with Blue Card Services. Your new blue card issued will have on it the photo TMR have.

Products accepted:

• Driver licence
• Adult proof of age card
• Photo identification card
• Industry authority
• Marine licence indicator
• Customer reference number (CRN) confirmation letter
  

Ensure your identification photo with Qld TMR is not older than 3 years. Please visit your local centre to update in their system. If Blue Card Services have notified you to update your photo, notify Blue Card Services once you have had your new photo taken with TMR.

If you need to obtain a TMR product or update your contact details with Department of Transport and Main Roads to proceed with your registration contact them on 13 23 80 or online at https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/updateecontactdetails

Obtaining a Qld Department of Transport And Main Roads Product

If you are a NSW resident/NSW licence holder/non QLD licence holder or you do not have a QLD TMR product to obtain a Customer reference number visit a Qld TMR centre or by completing a Remote Pack.

1. Visit a QLD TMR centre, plan your journey before hand to e aware of opening hours and travel times.
2. Bring your valid documentation for identification checks such as licence, Medicare card, passport, credit card. Note: check Evidence of identity for identification document list reference.
3. State you are applying for a Working With Children Card (Blue Card) and require a Customer Reference Number and photo taken.
4. Complete the form provided there, get your photo taken and sign.
5. Receive a CRN to use for your blue card online registration and application.
   1. Note: If you are only provided an 8 digit number and this is not allowing you to register online, try adding a Zero (0) at the beginning making it 9 digits of your provided CRN when registering online.
6. Allow up to 48 hours for your CRN to be recognised in the Blue Card Services online system.

Exemption Cards

Exemption cards are for Queensland Police Officers and registered Teachers only. This is a type of working with children card for people working in these professions who volunteer with children outside of their ordinary employment in regulated employment. ‘Exemption card’ does not mean they are exempt from requiring a blue card when volunteering.

Exemption cards issued from 1 Sep 2020 now have expiry dates aligning with volunteer and paid blue cards. Exemption blue cards obtained prior to 31 Aug 2020 will expire on 31 Aug 23, you MUST RENEW this year, if you have not renewed already. Please register online and renew 3 months before your expiry date.

If you cease employment as a registered teacher or Qld police officer, and continue your active participation at your club requiring you to hold a blue card, you are required to reapply for a Volunteer or Paid blue card to continue participation.

Non Compliance – Members placed on Leave/Restricted

When an individual who is required to hold a card has a BlueCard that has expired or they don’t hold a card, they are placed on a “leave restricted” status in SurfGuard by SLSQ. This status is an important measure to prevent individuals from engaging in child-related activities until their BlueCard is confirmed as valid and current.

Do Not Remove “Leave Restricted” Status:
Clubs must not remove the leave restricted status in SurfGuard under any circumstances.

Removing this status prematurely can expose the administrator, the Club and SLSQ to legal risks and compromise the safety of our programs.

If an individual is placed on leave-restricted status, it is imperative that you contact the BlueCards team at SLSQ before any changes are made to the member’s profile.

If a Club or individual changes the status of an individual placed on leave restricted, you are breaching SLSQ’s safety and well-being of children in our care and compliance with the legal framework.

Please email bluecards@lifesaving.com.au for any inquiries or to resolve issues related to BlueCard status. The team will provide guidance and support to ensure compliance and address any concerns.

LINK TO COMMUNICATIONS: Blue Cards Communications

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