Blue Card
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Blue card renewals
Certain people are disqualified from applying for, or renewing, a blue card. A person is disqualified if they:
- have been convicted of a disqualifying offence (including a child-related sex or pornography offence, or the murder of a child), or
- are a reportable offender with current reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004, or
- are subject to a child protection offender prohibition order, or
- are subject to a disqualification order prohibiting them from applying for or holding a blue card.
It is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a blue card application. Penalties of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000 may apply.
A disqualified person may apply to the Commission for an ‘eligibility declaration’ and in very limited and defined circumstances may be declared eligible to apply for a blue card.
For more information on how the legislation affects you, see:
Blue card renewals for foster and kinship carers
Foster and kinship carers need to apply for their blue card renewal through the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services).
Blue card application fees from 1 July 2009
| Paid employees (including renewal applications) | 61.85 |
| Family Day Carers (including renewal applications) | 61.85 |
| Businesses (including renewal applications) | 61.85 |
| Volunteers and students (new and renewal applications only) | No fee |
| Application to cancel a negative notice | 61.85 |
| Eligibility declaration | 61.85 |
| Replacement blue card (Businesses, Paid employees, Volunteers and Students) | 10.30 |
Renewal of blue card after two years
Under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 a blue card remains current for two years.
Following amendments to the Commission’s Act effective 31 May 2006 , a volunteer and person carrying on a regulated business holding a valid blue card can continue to carry on a regulated activity after the expiry of their blue card, provided their card was not suspended or cancelled and they lodge a renewal application at least 30 days prior to the expiry of their card.
The 30 day rule does not apply to paid employees as a paid employee may continue to engage in regulated activities after the expiry of their blue card, provided they have lodged a renewal application.
Existing card holders will be notified by the Commission sixteen weeks before their cards expire. A police information check will again be conducted on the card holder, and if their application is approved, the person will be issued with a new blue card.
The original employer will not receive a renewal notification, as the employee may have changed employers. However, current employers will be involved in the blue card renewal process, as they will have to sight the employee's identification documents and complete the employer’s declaration on the application form.
Employers or volunteer co-ordinators will be notified of the outcome of an application, but any criminal history details or other personal information will remain confidential. It is an offence for an employer to employ or continue to employ a person in child-related employment or for a person to carry on a child-related business without a current blue card. People who fail to comply with the Act may be subject to penalties.
If you have received your renewal notice, please enter your username and password below to download a Blue Card Renewal Form.
Last Updated: January 13, 2010
