Resources

Working with Children Checks

Unless an organisation is specifically involved in child-related work, it does not need Working with Children for staff/volunteers.  An organisation could fall into the category of child-related work if it is:
 
(xii) a club, association or movement (including of a cultural, recreational or sporting nature and whether incorporated or not) with a significant membership or involvement of children, but not including an informal arrangement entered into for private of domestic purposes; 

(from Working with Children Check web site)

The Working with Children guidelines clearly state that there is an exemption for young volunteers, those who have fellow workers who are children, and those who are supervisors of children (unless the work you are doing is specifically child-related). Those points are highlighted in red:
 
Other exemptions which apply in all categories:
 
Child volunteers
Work carried out on a voluntary basis by a child (i.e. volunteer under 18 years of age).

Employers/workplace supervisors of children
Employers of children, or if you have fellow workers who are children (unless you otherwise carry out child-related work).
Supervisors of volunteers who are children (unless you otherwise carry out child-related work).

Short-term visitors to Western Australia
Work carried out by visitors to Western Australia, where the person is not ordinarily resident in Western Australia.
The exemption only applies during the 2 week period after the persona arrives in Western Australia and cannot exceed 2 weeks in any 12 month period. 

(from Working with Children Check web site)

Frequently asked question

Q. We are an organisation that has volunteers working in our op shops.  We would like to involve students, but does that mean all our volunteers now have to get 'Working with Children checks'?