Safe Church
The LCANZ operates across nine jurisdictions. Legislative obligations for child safety (including working with children type checks) vary from one jurisdiction to another. We have collated them for you.
Are you a Safe Church Coordinator for your parish or congregation? We have created a page just for you.
Working with Children Type Checks
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
A ‘not prohibited’ Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/NSW and ACT District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 16 years of age.
A WWVP is current for five years.
Click here to apply for a WWVP registration.
Please include 'Lutheran Church of Australia NSW and ACT District' as a relevant organisation.
If you are using your WWVP registration for paid work, you must hold an employee WWVP registration. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWVP registration for paid work. However, an employee WWVP registration may be used for voluntary work. One WWVP registration may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee WWVP registration. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer WWVP registration.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
A ‘not prohibited’ Working With Children Check (WWCC) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/NSW and ACT District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 18 years of age.
A WWCC is current for five years.
Click here to apply for a WWCC.
Once you receive the check, please provide the reference number and your date of birth to Kaye Simpfendorfer at the Lutheran Church of Australia NSW and ACT District office:
- email kaye.simpfendorfer@lca.org.au
- phone 02 8660 1200
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee WWCC. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWCC for paid work. However, an employee WWCC may be used for voluntary work. One WWCC may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee WWCC. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer WWCC.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
NEW ZEALAND
A ‘no result’ Police Vetting Check (PVC) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/Lutheran Church of New Zealand Synod delegate/Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand General Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 14 years of age.
The church regards a PVC as ‘current’ for a period of three years.
The process for obtaining a PVC has recently changed slightly.
To apply for a PVC you can:
- complete this Request and Consent form
- email the completed form to safechurch@lca.org.au
The Safe Church Service Desk will provide details of the PVC outcome to you and your local Safe Church Coordinator, via email. If the Safe Church Coordinator provided the form on your behalf, it is their responsibility to inform you when the PVC is complete.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 0800 564 710
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
A Working With Children Clearance (WWCC), also known as an Ochre Card, is required if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/SA-NT District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 16 years of age.
A WWCC is current for two years.
Click here to apply for a WWCC.
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee WWCC. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWCC for paid work. However, an employee WWCC may be used for voluntary work. One WWCC may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you.
Once you receive the WWCC, please provide the reference number and your date of birth to the Safe Church Service Desk:
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
- phone 1800 418 588
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
QUEENSLAND
A blue card is required if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/Queensland District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
A blue card is current for three years.
Click here to apply for a blue card.
Please include 'Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District' as a relevant organisation on the application form.
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee blue card. It is unlawful to use a volunteer blue card for paid work. However, an employee blue card may be used for voluntary work. One blue card may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee blue card. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer blue card.
Once you receive the blue card, please inform the Safe Church Service Desk:
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
- phone 1800 418 588
When you inform the Safe Church Service Desk, please provide the blue card reference number and your date of birth, just in case the blue card has not been properly linked.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A ‘not prohibited’ Working With Children Check (WWCC) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/SA-NT District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 14 years of age.
A WWCC is current for five years.
The process for obtaining a WWCC
To apply for a WWCC please complete the WWCC Application Form and return it to the Safe Church Service Desk safechurch@lca.org.au or you may choose to start your own application details of how to access your screening account are at the end of this document.
You will need to provide us with a unique email address. You must not use a generic email address or your own email to start an application on behalf of another person.
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee WWCC. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWCC for paid work. However, an employee WWCC may be used for voluntary work. One WWCC may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee WWCC. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer WWCC.
Safe Church staff will initiate your WWCC application.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Screening Unit will email log in details to log into your individual screening account. It will look like this and likely comes from noreply@salesforce.com:
You must click the link to reset your password. The link is only active for 24 hours, after which you must use the recover account instructions. Once you have used the link you have 28 days to complete your application within the portal.
You will then be directed to your screening account where you can view the application that has been initiated by you. You will need to click Resume to provide further details, identity verification and complete and submit the application.
Once you have entered all of the details into the portal which include your residence for the last five years and details of any previous names you have used, a QR code will appear on the screen to link you to ID verse to verify your id.
Using the camera app on your smartphone, view the QR code with your phone and follow the link that appears to ID verse.
ID verse will then instruct you how to photograph your ID documents
To verify your identity, you need to give a combination of identity documents that include your:
- full name
- date of birth
- photograph.
IDVerse requires you to use a smartphone to ‘take a selfie’ and compares this image to the photograph in your identity document.
Photo identity documents you can use include a current:
- Australian passport – can be expired less than 3 years
- foreign passport with a valid Australian visa
- Immicard
- Australian drivers licence – including learner’s permit or provisional licence.
If you don’t have one of the above documents, you can use a current:
- Australian proof of age or photo ID card
- Australian secondary or tertiary student photo ID card.
You’ll also need to provide a second document. This can include a:
- birth certificate – Australian or foreign
- Australian Citizenship certificate
- Medicare card.
To use this option, you will need to select in the portal that you do not have other photo id’s and the portal will then open up the opportunity to use secondary documents.
Foreign birth certificates
A foreign birth certificate must be accompanied by an English translation, if required. The translation must:
- be completed by a NAATI accredited translator
- have their stamp affixed to the translation.
Name changed
If you have changed your name, you must also give us another document that shows the change. This could be a marriage certificate, deed poll or change of name certificate.
Gender
If your identity documents don't reflect your preferred gender, you must give us a document that shows your preferred gender. For example, an amended birth certificate or a statement from a registered medical practitioner.
If you can’t verify online
If you are unable to verify your identity through IDVerse, you’ll need to contact the Screening Unit.
Use Digital ID instead
If you have a strong strength Digital ID, you can use this to satisfy the identity requirements for your worker screening application.
You will need to:
- log into your individual screening account using the ‘Continue with Digital ID’ button – go to Screening SA login screen
- select your identity provider
- follow the steps to create or sign in to your Digital ID
- provide consent to share information between your Digital ID and the Screening Unit.
Use of a Basic or Standard Digital ID will require additional identity verification as part of your application process.
Contact the Screening Unit
- email enquiries@workerscreening.sa.gov.au
- phone 1300 321 592 Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00 pm.
To begin your own application for a Working With Children Check
You must have a Screening SA account to apply for a WWCC.
You will already have an account if you have:
- a current worker screening check
- an expired check
- previously completed an application that was assessed by the Screening Unit.
To create an individual screening account
Do not create an account if you've had a screening check in the past. Follow the steps to recover your account instead. If you aren't sure, contact the Screening Unit.
To create an account you’ll need to:
- provide your name and date of birth
- enter your personal email – do not use a shared email, it must be unique to you
- create a password
- verify your email.
Click here to create an account.
To recover an existing account
- To recover your account, go to the Screening SA login page.
- Click on ‘Forgot your username/password?’ then select ‘Forgot username’.
- Enter the email address you used for your last application, then click ‘Send username’.
- You’ll get an email with your username. Go back to the login screen, click ‘Forgot username/password’ again and select the ‘Forgot password option’.
- Enter the username you received in the email. Click reset password
- You’ll get another email with a link to reset your password. Once you create a password, you’ll be able to access your screening account.
If you aren’t sure which email you have used, contact the Screening Unit.
All applicants
You may receive emails from the Screening Unit advising the progress of your application.
Once your application has been completed, we are also notified of its outcome, directly from DHS. You will therefore not need to send us the document confirming your ‘not prohibited’ WWCC. At this point, we will update your Safety Management Online record.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
TASMANIA
A ‘not prohibited’ Registration to Work With Vulnerable People (RWVP) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/Vic-Tas District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 16 years of age.
A RWVP is current for five years.
Click here to apply for a RWVP registration.
Please select ‘Child-related activity’ and include 'Lutheran Church of Australia Inc' as a relevant organisation.
After receiving a reference number, the person may need to visit a Service Tasmania outlet with the reference number and required identification documents.
If you are using your RWVP registration for paid work, you must hold an employee RWVP registration. It is unlawful to use a volunteer RWVP registration for paid work. However, an employee RWVP registration may be used for voluntary work. One RWVP registration may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee RWVP registration. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer RWVP registration.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
VICTORIA
A ‘not prohibited’ Working With Children Check (WWCC) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/Vid-Tas District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
This requirement only applies, if you are at least 18 years of age.
A WWCC is current for five years.
Teachers registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers and State and Federal Police Officers in active service may be exempt from holding a WWCC if certain conditions are met.
VIT registration holders, please refer to VIT information at the end of this document.
If you are unsure if someone requires a WWCC, please contact the Safe Church helpdesk:
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
- phone 1800 418588
Online applications can now be made through Service Victoria Working with Children Check (service.vic.gov.au)
In-person applications, including verification of your identity, can be made at some Australia Post outlets.
In-person applications for Working with Children Checks | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee WWCC. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWCC for paid work. However, an employee WWCC may be used for voluntary work. One WWCC may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee, if you are applying for an employee WWCC. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you. The application is free, if you are applying for a volunteer WWCC.
When asked for details of organisations for which you work or volunteer, include Lutheran Church of Australia.
- Organisation: Lutheran Church of Australia
- Address: Church House, 139 Frome St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
- Phone number: 1800 418 588
- Email: safechurch@lca.org.au
Please refer to the screenshots below.
For the child-related work field, please select '64 Religious Organisations' and nominate whether you are an employee, a volunteer, or both.
If you have trouble saving your details, ensure all fields (including email addresses) are added for all organisations, LCANZ and any other community organisations you have listed.
If issues persist, please use the virtual assistant on the website or ring customer service on 1300 652 879.
For support, please call the Safe Church Service Desk on 1800 418 588.
Updating details
In Victoria, WWCC card holders are required by law to update their details within 21 days of becoming aware of a change, and may make changes, including contact and organisational details online at: Update your Working with Children Check details online | Service Victoria
When you update your details, you will also need to fill in all fields (including email addresses) for all other listed organisations. You will not be able to update any LCANZ details without doing this.
Any organisations with which you are no longer associated should be removed by clicking on the 'remove' tab.
If issues persist, please use the virtual assistant on the website or ring customer service on 1300 652 879.
For support, please call the Safe Church Service Desk on 1800 418 588.
Victorian Institute of Teachers registration holders
Holders of VIT registration are exempt from holding a WWCC, but only if certain conditions are met.
By law VIT registration holders are required to
- inform Working with Children Check Victoria (WWCCV) of any other child-related work currently undertaken, in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- notify WWCCV within 21 days of starting any new child-related work (paid or voluntary).
If VIT registered teachers do child-related work outside their teaching role without notifying Working with Children Check Victoria, it's an offence carrying penalties.
Please click on this link: Service Victoria | Teacher notification
Please add the Lutheran Church of Australia (Church House) details as listed above. If you are asked to provide the name of an organisational contact person, then name the manager of Professional Standards Tim Ross.
There will be a notification to the Safe Church Service Desk, when this has occurred.
If your teacher registration is suspended or cancelled, WWCCV will inform organisation(s) that exemption from a WWCC no longer applies.
If you do not renew your VIT registration, you will need to apply for a WWCC before beginning congregational child-related activities.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
A ‘not prohibited’ Working With Children Check (WWCC) is required, if you are serving in any of the following roles:
- pastor on the roll of pastors (including emeritus in active service)
- Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader (for example, a Sunday school superintendent)
- chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant
- person (paid or volunteer) who directly engages with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their ministry/position
- employee and volunteer, where and as specified in their position description
- board member/council member/committee member/WA District Convention of Synod delegate/LCANZ General Convention of Synod delegate.
A WWCC is current for three years.
To apply for a WWCC, obtain an application form from an Australia Post outlet.
Please complete the form; another local leader will also need to sign a declaration, which is part of the form.
Please return the completed form to an Australia Post outlet, taking applicable identification documents with you.
If you are using your WWCC for paid work, you must hold an employee WWCC. It is unlawful to use a volunteer WWCC for paid work. However, an employee WWCC may be used for voluntary work. One WWCC may be used across multiple organisations.
You will need to pay an application fee. Your local congregation or ministry may wish to consider reimbursing you.
Once you have received the WWCC, please email a copy of the WWCC to the Safe Church Service Desk at safechurch@lca.org.au
If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
- phone 1800 418 588
- email safechurch@lca.org.au
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