Blue cards for entertainment, beauty and photography

You need a blue card if you provide services to children that include:

• entertainment or party services
• providing services to children as part of a beauty or talent program
• providing photography services to children (e.g. newborn photo shoots).

Workers and volunteers

You need a blue card if you provide entertainment or party services, photography services, or beauty services, or operate a beauty or talent program, and if the usual functions of employment or business include:

• providing services directed mainly towards children

or

• conducting activities mainly involving children.

You do not need a blue card if your duties are limited to providing food, beverages or equipment and there is no further contact with children.

Examples

A blue card is needed for:

• face painters at children’s parties
• professional photographers taking photos of newborns or at children’s sporting events
• makeup artists or hairdressers working at children's beauty pageants
• costumed entertainers (e.g. Bluey, Batman, Elsa, etc.), including at amusement parks
• Santa and his helpers taking photos with children
• singing and dancing entertainers performing for children (e.g. the Wiggles).
• DJs at school formals

A blue card is not needed for:

• staff who provide lighting, sound or any other equipment as part of an entertainment service to children
• catering staff at a child’s birthday party
• wedding photographers
• makeup artists or hairdressers at a public salon.

Business owners and operators

You need a blue card if your business provides entertainment or party services, photography services or beauty services, or operates a beauty or talent program, and if the usual activities include:

• providing services directed mainly towards children

or

• conducting activities mainly involving children.

You do not need a blue card if your business activities are limited to providing food, beverages or equipment and there is no further contact with children.

Examples

A blue card is needed for a business owner or operator:

• providing costume entertainment services to children’s birthdays.
• taking newborn photos.
• operating children’s beauty or talent programs.

A blue card is not needed for a business owners or operator:

• running a wedding photography business
• providing lighting or equipment at a children’s show.

Transitional requirements

If you are already providing these services, you have 12 months from 20 September 2025 to apply for a blue card. Anyone commencing child-related work on or after 20 September 2025 must hold a blue card before they can start. Learn more about transitional requirements.

More information

• Changes to the blue card system.
• Executive officers and board or committee members of a regulated child-related organisation require a blue card.
• Understand linking requirements for organisations.
• Check when you don’t need a blue card
• Who cannot apply for or hold a blue card
• Learn how to apply for a blue or exemption card