Serious offences

To help keep children in Queensland safe, the blue card system categorises certain offences as serious offences under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act).

These offences do not automatically disqualify a person from holding a blue card. However, if you were an adult at the time you committed the serious offence, you will need to demonstrate there is an exceptional case during the risk assessment if you are to get a blue card.

This page provides information about serious offences, including what happens if you are charged or convicted of one.

What is a serious offence

Serious offences under Queensland or Australian laws are listed in Schedule 2 or Schedule 3 of the Act.

Similar offences committed in other states and territories outside Queensland are also serious offences.

Some serious offences are:

manslaughter
sexual assault of an adult
torture and other malicious acts involving adults
coercive control
robbery and burglary with circumstances of aggravation
serious drug offences, including trafficking in dangerous drugs

Serious offences also include attempting or conspiring to commit, or counselling or procuring the commission of, a serious offence.

Any other offence that is a reportable offence under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004 is also a serious offence.

What happens when you are charged with a serious offence

If you are charged with a serious offence that has not been finalised, we must:

Applicants: Withdraw your blue or exemption card application if you were an adult at the time of the offence. You can reapply when the charge is finalised.

Card holders: Suspend your card if you are a card holder, even if you were a child at the time of the offence, and you will become a restricted person.

If you have a charge for a serious offence which has been finalised but you were not convicted (e.g. the charge was dismissed or you were found not guilty), you can request a reassessment and the charge will be considered during the risk assessment process.

What happens when you are convicted of a serious offence

If you have been convicted of a serious offence in the past, you can still apply for a blue card.

When we receive your application, we will conduct the blue card check which will show whether you have been convicted of a serious offence. However, if you were an adult at the time the offence was committed, we will refuse your application, unless it is determined an exceptional case exists.

More information

Last updated:: 20 September 2025