CITY of Maribyrnong residents who volunteer or work with children in schools have been given an extension until December to file applications for Working with Children Checks.
While the June 30 deadline for residents who work with children outside a school environment has passed, school workers and volunteers’ checks have been extended to coincide with the school year.
More than 72,000 Victorians workers or volunteers in foster care, child protection services, juvenile justice, community services, family day care, school crossing services, outside school hours care, and overnight camps have already demonstrated their commitment to protecting children by submitting applications.
The Working with Children Checks aim to prevent people who are a safety risk — such as child sex offenders — from working with children.
It is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum penalty of two years’ jail and or a $26,000 fine, to work or volunteer in designated fields without a valid check.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls said employers and organisations are legally obliged to ensure relevant employees and volunteers undertake a check, or face criminal sanctions.
Mr Hulls said people who had committed a relevant criminal offence, including child sex offences, or had a relevant disciplinary finding against them, will be assessed by the department to determine if they are suitable to work with children.
The checks are subject to ongoing monitoring, if a person commits a relevant offence after receiving a Working with Children Check card, their right to hold a card will be re-assessed.
