REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS UNDER 18

As part of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) commitment to a consistent and complaint approach to the provision of Homestay services within Australia, the following information will assist in understanding the regulations and requirements for students who are under the 18 years of age.

The snapshot below details the regulation/requirements which are need in each State through the Nation when working and volunteering for students under the age of 18.

Queensland
In Queensland people working or volunteering with children need to hold a Blue Card.

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is responsible for administering and conducting criminal history checks on people who want to work with children to determine whether or not they are eligible to hold a Blue Card.

http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/index.html

Cost: Volunteer – free, Paid Employees: $60 (2 years)

New South Wales
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People is responsible for the Working with Children Check, which helps determine whether people are suitable to work in child related employment.

This checklist aims to create workplaces where children are safe and protected, and where the people who work with children are appropriately screened.

http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/director/check.cfm

Cost: Free Service

Victoria
The Victorian Government has introduced the Working with Children Check, which is compulsory for people who wish to work with or volunteer with children.

The check seeks to protect children from harm by requiring people to undertake a criminal history check before they start work in an organisation.

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Working+With+Children/Home/

Cost: Volunteer: Free, Paid Employees: $70 plus cost of photographs (5 years)

South Australia
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in South Australia, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

http://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au/pages/home/links/

Cost: $48

Australian Capital Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Australian Capital Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

Northern Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Northern Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.In addition, the Northern Territory Government has released draft legislation for the creation of a screening scheme which outlines minimum standards for child-related occupations and activities.

Western Australia
In Western Australia a Working with Children Check is compulsory for people who carry out child-related work in Western Australia.

The check aims to protect children by deterring people from working with children when they have criminal records that indicate they may harm children; and by preventing people with such records from gaining positions of trust in paid and voluntary work with children.

http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm

Cost: Volunteer: $10, Paid Employees: $50 (3 years)

Tasmania
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in Tasmania, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

In 2005 the Commissioner for Children Tasmania released a consultation paper discussing proposals for the Government to introduce screening procedures for Tasmanian organisations who want to employ people to work with children.