An application for a working with children check must be made to the Department of Human Services Screening Unit accompanied by information reasonably required by the Unit, as well as the prescribed fee [s 27]. An application may be made by the person themselves or by their employer [s 27(2) and reg 16(1)]. The person’s employer must notify them of the application [reg 16(2)].

If a person applies for a working with children check but, before the application is processed, becomes a prohibited person under the law of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory or is found guilty of a prescribed offence, the Unit need not conduct the working with children check [reg 16(3)].

The Screening Unit may refuse to consider an application if it has already conducted a working with children check in the last 5 years and issued a prohibition notice to the person that has not been revoked [s 27(3)].

The Unit must issue a receipt to each applicant for a working with children check and a unique identifier (if they do not already have one) [s 27(4)].

The Unit must conduct a working with children check even if an application is withdrawn [s 28]. The Unit may also conduct a working with children check in relation to a person at any time on its own motion [s 30].