Changes to the Working with Children Check

Victoria is reforming the Working with Children (WWC) Check to strengthen the child-safeguarding system.

From 19 October 2026:

• The Working with Children (WWC) Connect online service will be introduced. It will record the connection between organisations and individuals, and the workers and volunteers they engage in child-related work, and help organisations and sole traders meet the new legal requirement to notify the Social Services Regulator (SSR) about these employees and volunteers.
• Mandatory online child safety training will become part of the WWC Check application and renewal process.

To prepare for these changes, your organisation should:

• Understand the changes. Review your processes. Prepare your organisation.
• Check that your workers’ and volunteers’ WWC Clearance information is accurate and up to date. 
• Be aware that any new workers or volunteers engaged in child related work from 19 October 2026 will need to be connected to the department using WWC Connect. Details needed include:
  • the worker or volunteer’s correct name
  • WWC Check card or application number
  • address
  • email
  • phone number. 
• Be aware that notifications will need to be made to the Social Services Regulator via WWC Connect. This will need to happen when the details of a worker or carer engaged in child-related work change. It will also need to happen when your organisation stops engaging them in a role performing child-related work.
• Make relevant recruitment compliance and HR staff aware of the changes.
• Inform workers and volunteers about the mandatory training requirement where relevant.

For more information and frequently asked questions, visit the Changes to the Working with Children Check on the Social Services Regulator website.