Working With Children Requirements
Under the Working with Children (Screening) Act 2004, anyone doing paid or unpaid work with children must obtain a Working with Children (WWC) Check, unless a specific exemption applies. This page explains what the requirement means for Sorrento SLSC members, and what you need to do.
Who does this apply to?
This isn’t just about patrolling. It covers any role where you’re involved with under-18 members, including:
- Water safety
- Patrolling members
- Coaches and trainers
- Officials
- BBQ roster
- Uniform shop
- Assessors
If your role involves any of the above, or any club activity where under-18s are involved, this requirement applies to you.
What do I need to do?
You don’t need anything if you’re not volunteering and have no involvement in club activities involving children.
You need a full WWC Check (or current WWC card) if you’re 18 or over and:
- you volunteer at the club and don’t have a child under 18 who’s also a member, or
- you volunteer and do have a child under 18 in the club, but you’ll be involved in any overnight camps or stays with under-18s (the parent exemption doesn’t cover overnight camps)
You can sign the Volunteer Declaration instead if you’re 18 or over, volunteer, have a child under 18 in the club, and won’t be involved in any overnight camps. This is also the pathway for youth volunteer members aged 13 to 17 (a parent or guardian needs to sign for them).
Deadline
This needs to be completed by 15 September 2026. If we don’t have this on file by then, we won’t be able to process your membership renewal.
What to do now
- If the declaration applies to you, complete: Volunteer Declaration Form
- If you need a WWC Check and don’t already have one, forms are available at the club office, and the club will reimburse the cost.
- If you already hold a valid WWC card, send us your WWC number so we can add it to SurfGuard.
Not sure where you sit?
Download the SLSWA Member Screening Flowchart (PDF) to check exactly what applies to your situation.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact admin@sorrentoslsc.org.au
