The Department of Communities is calling on everyone who works with children to provide feedback on proposed reforms to Western Australia’s Working with Children (WWC) Scheme.
These proposed changes aim to enhance the protection of children under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004. They respond to key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2015) Working with Children Checks report and the Statutory Review of the WWC Act.
This consultation marks Phase 2 of reforms recommended by the Royal Commission. Key areas of focus include:
Reviewing categories of child-related work and related exemptions
Progressing national consistency and portability of WWC Check outcomes across states and territories, as agreed by the Standing Council of Attorneys General
The public consultation will help ensure these reforms are well-designed and tailored to meet the needs of WA’s children and communities.
Child Protection Minister, Jessica Stojkovski states “the safety and wellbeing of our children is always a priority for the State Government and Working with Children Checks are an important screening tool that can help to do that. Strengthening the Working with Children Act and making it tougher for people who pose an unacceptable risk to children from getting a Working with Children Card will further support children to safely enjoy everyday activities like sport and schooling”.
Submissions are open until 23 September.
For more information or to have your say, visit here