Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Commencement of amendments to the Working with Children Act

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    Amendments to the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 commenced 1 September 2022.

    From 1 September 2022 the Working with Children Act will:

    • Authorise exchange of certain working with children check information with interstate screening agencies.
    • Facilitate NSW participation in a national database of negative working with children check decisions (the National Reference System).
    • Prevent persons who have been convicted of bestiality or serious animal cruelty offences from applying for review of a working with children check decision.
    • Include serious animal cruelty under the Crimes Act 1900 as a disqualifying offence.
    • Include serious animal cruelty offences as disqualifying offences.
    • Allow animal welfare agencies – the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSW) and the Animal Welfare League – to share animal cruelty information with the Children’s Guardian.
    Date of change:
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    You can now renew your WWCC by using digital proof of identity – no need to visit a Service NSW Centre.
    How to renew using digital proof of identity (POI)

    You will need:

    • A MyServiceNSW account with the WWCC service added
    • 3 current identity documents including a NSW driver licence or photo card
    • a device with a working front camera for face verification.


    If you're renewing a paid WWCC, you will also need a credit card, debit card, PayPal or PayID account.

    If you have an expired WWCC clearance or have changed your name on your identity documents since the last time you renewed your WWCC, you can't renew using digital proof of identity.

    Renew with a digital POI
    Renew and attend a service centre
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