Step 1: NSW Working with Children Check

ALL Education students must hold a current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number prior to undertaking any professional experience placement or observation placement.  A current NSW WWCC is required to comply with the following:

• NSW Government Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012; and
• Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulation 2013; and
• Child Protection (Working with Children) Amendment (Statutory Review) Act 2018

Education students undertaking most professional experience placements are classified as Volunteers for the purpose of the check.  NOTE: Final year Education Students MUST hold a current PAID employee NSW WWCC prior to undertaking their final professional experience placement. 

The NSW WWCC is free for Volunteers. The Paid Employee check costs approximately $80.00. Both the Volunteer and Paid Employee checks remain valid for five years.

Please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Apply for a NSW Working with Children Check

   Education students who hold a current NSW Working with Children Check clearance (Paid Employee or Volunteer) do not need to apply for the check again. Please go to step two.

   Students who do not hold a current NSW Working with Children check (volunteer or employment) clearance should:

   1. Complete the online NSW Working with Children Check – Individual application available from the NSW Government, Office of the Children's Guardian web site and receive a NSW WWCC Application number.
   2. Go to any Service NSW Centre with your NSW WWCC email receipt and provide the necessary Proof of Identity documentation to finalise your application. Applications are usually completed within days but can take up to 28 working days to complete.
2. Record your NSW Working with Children Check clearance number and expiry date on the SONIA placement system.
   • Log onto the SONIA placement system using your university issued username and password.
     Go to the SONIA Checks page, locate the NSW Working with Children Check and record your NSW Working with Children Check clearance number and issue date.

   Please note: Each time you renew or update your NSW WWCC number you MUST ensure you record your updated NSW WWCC clearance number together with the new issue date on the SONIA placement, as per Step 2 above.

Please note that the Professional Experience Unit will check with the NSW Government, Office of the Children's Guardian to confirm the validity of the NSW Working with Children Check information provided.

Students will be required to provide their NSW Working with Children Check clearance information to the placement site supervisor at least one week prior to commencing any professional experience activity. The placement site may confirm the validity of the check via the NSW Government, Office of the Children's Guardian website.