Frequently Asked Questions

The WWC Act provides that specific people or certain kinds of work do not require a WWC Check even if the work involves contact with children in connection with one of the categories.  This is known as an exemption and means that the individual is ineligible to apply for a WWC Check.

Common exemptions that apply to the sport and recreation sector are volunteers under 18 years of age and parent volunteers.  More information can be found in Factsheet 2: Child-Related Work and Exemptions.

A person is in child-related work if the usual duties of their role (whether paid or unpaid) involve, or are likely to involve, contact with a child in connection with one of the 18 categories of child-related work and no exemptions apply.

This means that people who are coaching children’s sporting teams, instructing children’s swimming lessons, working in the canteen or first aid tent at a club or association or otherwise providing activities to children at sport and recreational clubs may require a WWC Check.

Certain people such as volunteers under the age of 18 and parents whose children are also part of the club or association may be exempt from needing a WWC Check. 

If you are working or volunteering for an organisation they should advise you whether a WWC Check is required for your role.  If you are self-employed or would like to know more about the WWC Check please see our Do I need a WWC Check? page.

If you are volunteering at a club or association where your child/children are members you are exempt from the WWC Check.   The exemption provided to parent volunteers means that they are not considered to be in child-related work and do not need to apply for a WWC Check However, if you volunteer to help out on a sport or recreational activity that involves an overnight stay you will no longer be exempt.

More information can be found in Factsheet 4: The Parent Volunteer Exemption.

If you are self-employed then you should show a parent your Check if they are hiring your services. This way they can verify that it is valid and current.

Showing your WWC Check to parents is considered best practice and is part of establishing your credentials for the role in question. It also makes good business sense as it demonstrates your contribution to child safety. You may also wish to promote that you have a WWC Check in your advertisement. Parents who ask to sight your Card can validate it on our Check WWC Card Validity page which will confirm that it is valid (and not just current).

However, if you work or volunteer for a club or association, then it is your employer’s responsibility to ensure that you hold a valid Check. A parent can therefore ask the organisation to confirm that you do in fact have a WWC Check.

Engaging in child-related work without a current WWC Check is an offence with penalties of up to $60, 000 and five years imprisonment. If you engage in child-related work, then you must apply for a WWC Check immediately. You can show your organisation or parents using your service your application receipt, which is proof of your pending WWC Check application. For more information about visit our How I apply for a WWC Check? page.

If your WWC Card has expired, then you must re-apply for a WWC Check immediately. It is an offence to engage in child-related work without a current WWC Check or application for one. For more information about applying visit our How I apply for a WWC Check? page.

If you have further questions that you would like answered our Customer Support Team would be more than happy to assist.  Please contact us on 1800 883 979 or checkquery@communities.wa.gov.au.

Our Community Engagement Team also offers free workshops aimed at those who administer WWC Checks (including in volunteer organisations), more information is available on our Events page.