Mini vic.gov.au

This is a low bandwidth version of vic.gov.au. Contents may not be up to date. © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Current Working with Children Check holders

If you are a current Working with Children Check holder, find information about how to renew or replace your card, update your details, and more.

On this page

As a Working with Children Check holder, you have certain legal responsibilities under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (the Act) and the Worker Screening Regulations 2021 (the Regulations).

For information on what might happen if you breach the Act or the Regulations, visit our offences and penalties page.

How we monitor your Check

We are notified about new charges or offences for the lifetime of your Check, which is why it is important to keep your details up to date.

If we determine that you no longer pass the Working with Children Check, we will revoke your Check and you will not legally be able to engage in child-related work. This also applies if you are charged with or found guilty of an offence against the Act.

If you hand your Check back to us:

If your circumstances change

You must let us and your organisation/s know in writing within 7 days if your circumstances change in any of the following ways:

Renew your Check

You can renew your Check online up to 6 months before it expires, and for 3 months after it expires.

It is illegal to do child-related work after your Check expires unless:

If you still intend to do child-related work after your Check has expired, you need to start a new application.

Renew your card

Take a new photo

You might need a new photo if you have renewed your Check, or changed from a Volunteer to an Employee card.

Replace your Check or get a digital card

You can replace a lost, stolen or damaged card online.

It costs $8.00 to replace a physical Employee card. Volunteer replacement cards are free.

Once you have completed the online form and paid the non-refundable fee, we will send you a new card in the mail.

Replace your card online

Get a digital card

Change your name

If you would like your Check changed to your new name, you can do it online.

You will need to have one of these documents:

Change your name online

Update your sex descriptor

If you’d like to have your sex descriptor updated in our records, you can do so by first filling in the Change of Name’ form online.

In addition to the documents required to change your name online (see section above for the list), you will need to send us one of the following documents:

If you would like to update your photo, please provide a certified passport photo.

What you need to send us

  1. The printout from the online Change of Name form.
  2. Your document as chosen from the 3 options above.
  3. A certified passport photo if you wish to change from your current photo (optional).

Mail to:

Working with Children Check Victoria Department of Justice and Community Safety GPO Box 1915 Melbourne VIC 3001

Return your Check

You may need to hand your Check back to us because:

You don’t need to apply for a new Check if you change organisations. You can add your new organisation by updating your details online.

If you want to cancel your Check, you can do so by:

  1. signing a statement declaring that you are the holder of the Check and that you want to cancel it, or that you are returning it at the department’s direction
  2. including your current address, as the department will let you know in writing when the Check is cancelled
  3. mailing your physical card and statement to us at:

Working with Children Check Victoria Department of Justice and Community Safety GPO Box 1915 Melbourne VIC 3001

We will notify the organisations you have listed with us that your card has been cancelled.

If your Check is suspended

While your Check is suspended, you cannot do child-related work.

Your Check will be suspended if you:

We’ll notify you as soon as possible if your Check is suspended, using the contact details currently listed with us.

Until we complete a reassessment of your case, your Check remains suspended and you cannot do child-related work.

Your Check may be reinstated if a charge against you is withdrawn, dismissed, or you are acquitted by a court.

Law, crime & justice

Updated 13 February 2026

Working with Children Check transactions online at Service Victoria

Go to Service Victoria

About the VIC Government

Grants and programs

Jobs and careers

Arts, culture and heritage

Business and the workplace

Communities

Education and training

Environment, water and energy

Finance and economy

Health and social support

Housing and property

Law and justice

Safety and emergencies

Science and technology

Sport and recreation

Traffic and transport

Working in the Victorian Government