Working with Children

Staff members, titleholders or volunteers who are in a prescribed position are defined as a person who works, or is likely to work, with children. The legislation which governs these positions is the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016.

Staff in a prescribed position must not commence work until they have a valid check.
There is a fine of up to $20k per individual or $50k per organisation if someone works in a prescribed position without the correct clearance. Where a position is identified as prescribed and the prospective staff member requires a Working with Children Check, the correct clearance must be sighted and checked by the Human Resources branch prior to a contract being issued. The staff member may be prompted to complete information about their check in Staff Services Online prior to accepting a contract or completing on-boarding.
 

Please visit the screening unit website at https://screening.sa.gov.au/ to request a WWCC. 

Email: DHSScreeningUnit@sa.gov.au

Phone: 1300 321 592

The University will reimburse the costs of new and renewal WWCCs for prescribed position holders in accordance with the University’s Reimbursement Procedure.

Positions which are primarily intended to work with children or vulnerable people are prescribed under the legislation. In addition, positions where we reasonably expect that the staff member might come into a contact with a child for more than 7 days a year in total. This would include staff going into schools as part of their key responsibilities or being in contact with prospective students who are under 18 by email, phone or in person. Staff who only come into contact with children incidentally due to their roles having contact with the public or the student population generally do not require a Working with Children Check.

Academic staff generally do not require a working with children check, the legislation states that the provision of services toward the fulfilment of a tertiary education program is not considered child-related work. Teaching is primarily aimed at over 18s even though some students may be under 18 at the time they commence their studies and therefore academic roles are generally not prescribed.

An exception to this would be where regular one to one teaching occurs with under 18s, for example music teaching in the Elder Conservatorium

The supervisor of the position would generally be in the best position to understand the main duties of the role and to make the decision as to whether it is prescribed. A Risk Assessment Tool has been developed to support this decision. If you are still not sure whether the position is prescribed or not, please seek advice from Human Resources on 8313 1111.

The Department for Human Services (DHS) checks and Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (TRB) checks are acceptable. 

An interstate equivalent is not acceptable unless the staff member is living and working in that state, and for any staff member living and working in a state other than South Australia or overseas, it is a condition of employment with the University that the Staff Member complies with any local screening requirements as directed by the University.

Any prescribed position located within South Australia requires the appropriate clearances from the Department of Human Services. If the position is located outside of South Australia and does not work with children located within South Australia, the incumbent does not require a clearance from the Department of Human Services. The incumbent requires the relevant clearance from the respective State and provide a copy of the clearance to the University to record the type of clearance, the issue date and the expiry date against the incumbent’s employment record.

Only checks which have been paid for are valid for paid employment. If you have a volunteer check which you did not pay for it can only be used for volunteer roles.

All prescribed positions we are aware of are identified within the PeopleSoft HR system. If you are in a prescribed position at the University of Adelaide we will also record the type of clearance you have, the issue date and the expiry date against your employment record.

When you commence work in a prescribed position we will register our interest in you with the Department of Human Services Screening Unit via their portal and they will let us know if your status changes at any time. If you leave the prescribed position we will de-register our interest upon termination of your employment.

DCSI/TRB checks are valid for three years, Working with Children Checks are valid for five years. However if you are joining the University of Adelaide in a prescribed position using an existing DCSI check it must have been issued within the last three months. Otherwise you will need to undertake a new WWCC.

Please contact Planning and Analytics for a complete report of prescribed positions for your area.