Working with Children Check consultations now complete
Public consultation for the statutory review of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, which began in November last year, is now complete, with thousands participating in the consultations to strengthen the NSW Working with Children Check.
NSW Children’s Guardian, Rachael Ward, said community feedback would be used to ensure the Working with Children Check continues to protect children and young people, and remains clear and fair.
‘My thanks go out to the thousands of people and hundreds of organisations who took the time to participate, formally or informally, in this process,’ Ms Ward said.
‘The number and quality of the submissions we received shows the strong community support for the Working with Children Check and the role it plays in child protection in NSW.’
The consultation was launched on 26 November 2025 with the release of a discussion paper and supporting resources on the Have Your Say website.
At a glance
- 2,027 online survey submissions
- 132 written submissions
- 29 consultation and information sessions, in-person and online
- 22 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation and community sessions, in-person and online
Ms Ward said the legislative review and consultation process was an all-of-agency effort for the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
‘My consultation team will collate your responses so that the Working with Children Check remains fair and effective and continues to be a key and trusted measure to keep children safe in NSW,’ Ms Ward said.
