Changes to screening requirements from 1 September 2026

Note that from 1 September 2026 (Term 3 Week 7), all contractors and volunteers (except Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) teachers) entering school sites will be required to have a valid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) and must be verified in the department’s system prior to engagement. SRE/SEE teachers must be verified by Day 1, Term 1, 2027.

Why do we screen?

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students is our utmost priority. As responsible members of the school community, it is crucial to screen all volunteers and workers thoroughly. This process protects our children from potential risks and ensures a secure, nurturing learning environment where every child can thrive.

As part of the screening process, members of the community who work or volunteer in our schools are required to provide basic identification and contact details, consent to the department’s privacy policy and declare that there is no relevant reason (such as a serious criminal conviction) that would prevent them from being granted access to school grounds.

Importantly, our screening processes help individuals, their employers and the department meet their legislative responsibilities, such as the need for all individuals in NSW working or volunteering in NSW public schools to have a current NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC).

What is a digital declaration?

The department now supports a digital collection of screening documents to fast-track screening for individuals who are not employees.

Three step process:

A digital declaration is an online form which is sent via a link in an email. The form asks individuals to provide details or upload certificates that are relevant to the type of access or activities that the individual will undertake in the school.

What does your screening outcome mean?

After the digital screening declaration form has been completed, an email will be sent confirming the screening outcome, or any additional steps needed.

See what different activities and access to schools individuals can perform, based on the information provided in the digital declaration form:

Parent, carer, or close relative volunteer (WWCC exempt)

What activities can you do with this access?

You can access the specific school listed and volunteer only with student groups that include your child or close relative.

What activities can’t you do with this access:

• provide personal care services to children with disabilities
• attend an overnight excursion
• transport students other than your child or relative to school-sanctioned events (e.g. excursions, school sport competitions, etc)
• volunteer more broadly in the school (or other schools) outside of groups/classes with your child or close relative, or as a mentor
• volunteer through a formal organisation, mentoring service or program (including Duke of Edinburgh volunteers and special religious education or special education in ethics volunteers)
• be paid by schools as a contractor or employee.

To increase your access as a volunteer, you will need to hold a current NSW Working with children check (WWCC).

Volunteer (WWCC-V)

To volunteer in NSW public schools, you require an unpaid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) at minimum.

What activities can you do with this access?

You can access any NSW public school to undertake approved volunteer activities involving children in an unpaid capacity only, including:

• volunteering as a parent, carer or close relative volunteer
• providing personal care services to children with disabilities
• attending an overnight excursion
• transport students other than your child or relative to school-sanctioned events (e.g. excursions, school sport competitions, etc)
• volunteering more broadly in the school (or other schools) outside of groups/classes with your child or close relative
• volunteering through a formal organisation, mentoring service or program (including a P&C role, Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, and special religious or ethical education volunteers).

What activities can’t you do with this access:

• paid work.

If you wish to work as a paid worker, you will need to hold a current NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) for paid employment. A Volunteer NSW WWCC is valid only for unpaid activities and cannot be used for paid employment or contracting arrangements.

Contractor (WWCC-E)

To work as a contractor in NSW public schools you require a paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC).

What activities can you do with this access?

You can access any NSW public school and undertake approved work or activities in either paid or unpaid capacity. This includes the volunteer activities listed above, as well as working as a paid worker or contractor.

In addition, Allied Health and NDIS providers are subject to the following requirements:

• Schools will verify that any documents you have uploaded remain current and valid when you sign in.
• You must have completed mandatory child protection training (or similar alternative)
• Complete any agreements or documentation required by each school you attend. As requirements may vary between schools, check with each school to confirm which forms need to be completed:
  1. use of school facilities/agreement.
  2. signed External Provider Engagement Agreement
  3. a separate schedule to the External Provider Engagement Agreement for each student (or group of students)
  4. some individual schools may also want additional Mandatory training to be completed, like CPR, ASCIA anaphylaxis training . Check with each school.

The decision for an allied health, NDIS service provider or other external service provider to deliver services at different schools and during school hours remains a negotiation between the principal and parent(s) or carer(s).

What do I need to show once I get to the school?

All visitors and workers, including parents or close relative volunteers attending a school site during school operating hours, are required to sign in using the School Visitor Check-In app and show a valid government issued photo ID upon arrival. A digital drivers licence is acceptable for this purpose.

Collection of date of birth is now mandatory when signing in to help schools manage sign ins and support visitor and worker validation consistent with the updated WWCC requirements.

Depending on the nature of your visit, you may need to provide more information.

Schools where you have not worked regularly will need to check any uploaded documents remain valid when you sign in.