Childcare certification · Renewed 5 years (with ongoing monitoring)

Working with Children Check (SA)

The South Australian Working with Children Check is required for child-related work in SA. It is administered by the DHS Screening Unit and includes ongoing monitoring for the 5-year validity period.

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Renewal cycle

5 years (with ongoing monitoring)

Sector

Childcare

Approx. cost

$140 for employees ($71 for students; free for volunteers and foster carers)

Who needs SA WWCC?

Anyone in paid or voluntary child-related work in South Australia.

What renewal involves

The steps and documentation required to maintain this certification.

  • Apply online via the DHS Screening Unit
  • Provide identity and employment details
  • Pay the application fee for paid workers (volunteers and foster carers apply free)
  • Undergo a national criminal history check
  • Renew every 5 years (renewable up to 3 months before expiry)

How to verify a Working with Children Check (state by state)

Verification portals are run by each state and territory. The links below are correct as of 11 June 2026; check the issuer for the latest process.

State / TerritoryWWCC nameIssuerHow to verify
NSWWWCCOffice of the Children's Guardian (NSW)Verification portal
VICWWCCDepartment of Justice and Community Safety (VIC)Verification portal
QLDBlue CardBlue Card Services (QLD)Verification portal
WAWWCCDepartment of Communities (WA)Verification portal
SA This pageWWCCDHS Screening Unit, Department of Human Services (SA)Verification portal
TASRWVPDepartment of Justice (TAS)Verification portal
ACTWWVPAccess Canberra (ACT)Verification portal
NTOchre CardSAFE NTVerification portal

Verification portals are run by each state and territory. The links above are correct as of 11 June 2026; check the issuer for the latest process.

How to verify a SA WWCC

Confirm a SA WWCC by visiting the DHS Screening Unit, Department of Human Services (SA) verification portal. The portal will let you check the check is current and the holder is authorised to engage in child-related work. NovoCove records the verification date and stores the certificate or printout against the staff member's record for audit.

Open the SA WWCC verification portal

How NovoCove tracks this automatically

Pre-configured support for SA WWCC — no spreadsheets, no missed renewals.

Renewal cycle: 5 years (with ongoing monitoring)

Track renewal dates and get 7-tier alerts starting 90 days before expiry.

Evidence storage built in

Store the certificate, training record, or registration document in the NovoCove evidence vault. Linked to the staff member and the certification record.

Automatic expiry alerts

Gentle, escalating reminders at 90, 60, 30, 14, 7, and 1 day before expiry. Plus day-of. Nothing lapses silently.

Audit-ready evidence pack

When ACECQA, ACQSC, or the NDIS Commission asks, generate a regulator-ready evidence pack in one click. All SA WWCC records included.

Frequently asked questions

How to verify, processing times, expiry, and what employers can do.

How do I check a Working with Children Check?
Verification portals are run by each state and territory. The state-by-state table on this page shows the official issuer and the verification URL for every Australian WWCC. You can also ask the staff member to provide a copy of the card or printout and confirm the expiry date in the NovoCove staff record.
How long does a WWCC check take?
Processing times vary by state and the individual's circumstances. Most Working with Children Checks are issued within a few business days once the application, identity documents, and any required checks are complete. Some states (for example Victoria) issue an interim letter so the person can start work while the card is finalised — check the issuer for the current turnaround.
What happens if a Working with Children Check expires?
An expired WWCC means the person is no longer authorised to engage in child-related work. Most states treat working with an expired check as a breach of the relevant child-safe legislation, and services can face enforcement action. NovoCove sends 7-tier expiry alerts (at 90, 60, 30, 14, 7, 1, and 0 days before expiry) so renewals never slip.
Can employers verify a WWCC themselves?
Employers cannot run a private background check as a substitute for a WWCC. They can use the state or territory verification portal linked on this page to confirm the check is current and valid, request a copy of the card or printout from the staff member, and keep a record of the verification in their compliance system. NovoCove stores the certificate and verification evidence in the staff record for audit.
How long is the SA WWCC valid?
5 years. The SA check is renewable up to 3 months before expiry and is subject to ongoing monitoring by the DHS Screening Unit.
How much does a SA WWCC cost?
The South Australian Working with Children Check costs $140 for paid employees, $71 for students on placement, and is free for volunteers and foster carers.
What happens if my circumstances change?
You must notify the DHS Screening Unit if your name, address, employment, or other key details change during the validity period.

Related certifications

Working with Children Check (NSW)Working with Children Check (VIC)Working with Children Card (WA)Blue Card (QLD)

Related solutions

Childcare Compliance SoftwareAustralian Compliance SoftwareCompliance Management SoftwareStaff certification tracking on the features page

Track SA WWCC automatically

NovoCove gives Australian care providers a real-time dashboard for every SA WWCC record — with 7-tier expiry alerts and one-click audit evidence export.

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