The Working With Children Check (WWCC) and the NDIS Worker Screening Check (NDISWC) are different checks with different purposes. Many NDIS providers need to manage both — and the requirements vary by state. AuditCore tracks all worker compliance checks in one place, with expiry alerts so nothing slips through.
What Is a WWCC?
A WWCC is a state or territory based screening check that assesses a person's suitability to work with children. Each state and territory has its own WWCC requirements, application process, and issuing body. For NDIS providers who support children or young people, ensuring all required workers hold a valid WWCC is a key compliance obligation.
Who Needs a WWCC?
- Paid and unpaid workers who have direct contact with children as part of NDIS supports
- Volunteers and students on placement
- Contractors and self-employed persons
- Anyone who has direct contact with children as part of NDIS support delivery
Key NDIS Requirements for WWCC
- Comply with NDIS Practice Standard S4.2.1 regarding worker screening
- Verify, record, and monitor WWCC expiry dates for every applicable worker
- Obtain valid WWCCs before a worker starts in a child-related role — never after
- Maintain records and make them available during NDIS audits
- Ensure contractors also provide valid WWCCs before commencing work
WWCC vs. NDISWC: What Is the Difference?
| Check | Purpose | Who Administers It | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDIS Worker Screening Check | Screens for risk to NDIS participants (adults and children) | State/territory NDIS Worker Screening Units | National — one check, valid in all states |
| Working With Children Check | Screens for risk to children in child-related work | State/territory child protection agencies | State-specific — not automatically recognised nationally |
WWCC Requirements by State and Territory
| State | Check Name | Who Issues It | Valid For | Cost | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | Working with Children Check (WWCC) | Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) | 5 years | Free | Online via service.vic.gov.au |
| NSW | Working with Children Check (WWCC) | Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) | 5 years | Free | Online via service.nsw.gov.au |
| QLD | Blue Card Services (Working with Children Check) | Blue Card Services | 3 years | Free | Online via bluecard.qld.gov.au |
| SA | Screening Check | Screening Unit, Department for Human Services | 3 years | Free | Online or in person at Service SA |
| WA | Working with Children Check (WWC Check) | Department of Communities | 3 years | $33 (concession may apply) | Online via checkwwc.wa.gov.au |
| TAS | Working with Vulnerable People Registration (WWVPR) | Department of Justice | 3 years | Free | Online or in person at Service Tasmania |
| ACT | Working with Vulnerable People Registration (WWVPR) | Access Canberra | 3 years | Free | Online via accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
| NT | Ochre Card (Working with Children Clearance) | NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services | 2 years | Free | Online or in person at Service Centres |
IMPORTANT: WWCC requirements can change. Always check your state or territory government website for the latest information. NDIS providers must verify and keep valid WWCCs on file before workers start and throughout engagement.
Which Workers Need Both?
AuditCore tracks WWCC and NDIS worker screening requirements across your entire workforce — alerting you before checks expire so you're never caught with an unscreened worker on shift.
See Worker Compliance →If your organisation delivers supports to participants under 18, your workers who have direct contact with those participants may need both checks. The NDISWC covers NDIS participants of all ages, but in some states, NDIS work is also defined as child-related work, which triggers the WWCC requirement independently.
Best Practices for Providers
- Verify a worker's WWCC before they start — never after they have begun working with children
- Record the card number and expiry date in your worker management system
- Set automated reminders before expiry so renewals happen proactively
- Re-check workers when cards expire — expired checks are not valid
- Keep digital or physical copies securely on file and accessible for auditors
- Ensure WWCC requirements are included in contractor agreements
- Regularly review WWCC compliance during internal audits — not just before external audits
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting workers start before WWCC clearance is received and verified
- Not checking expiry dates — a WWCC can expire mid-employment
- Not storing copies or evidence of checks — stating you verified it is not sufficient for an audit
- Assuming interstate WWCCs are valid without verifying state-specific requirements
- Not including contractors and volunteers in your WWCC compliance processes
Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Breach of NDIS Practice Standards — a serious non-conformance requiring corrective action
- Increased risk to children and young people in your care
- Regulatory action and financial penalties from the NDIS Commission
- Damage to your organisation's reputation and loss of participant and community trust
- Loss of NDIS registration in serious or repeated cases
How AuditCore Helps You Stay Compliant
AuditCore's worker compliance module has dedicated fields for NDISWC (number, issuing state, expiry, status) and WWCC (number, issuing state, expiry, check type). The compliance dashboard shows a traffic light status for each worker — green for current, amber for expiring within 90 days, red for expired or missing. You never need to check spreadsheets or ask workers individually.
- Centralised worker register — all checks for every worker in one place
- Expiry alerts and reminders — automated notifications at 90, 60, and 30 days before expiry
- Document storage — secure copies of checks linked to each worker's profile
- Compliance reports — audit-ready summary of your entire workforce's screening status
- Audit ready, every day — WWCC and NDISWC compliance visible in real time
The Risk of Uncleared Workers
An uncleared worker providing NDIS supports is a serious compliance failure — it is a potential condition on your registration and a significant safeguarding risk. It also puts your organisation at legal risk if something goes wrong. AuditCore prevents this by making worker compliance status visible at all times and by escalating expiry alerts to management before a check lapses.