Blue cards for health, counselling and support services

From 20 September 2025, this category will have some changes. Read about the upcoming changes to the blue card system.

You will need a blue card if you are a person or business providing a health, counselling, or support services to children.

Employees and volunteers

If you are employed to provide a health, counselling, or support services to children you will need a blue card.

a blue card is needed for a person providing the following:

child health screening at a community health facility. For example, a person working at a children’s hospital or a child health clinic would require a blue card.
a health service to a child at a children’s hospital or in a paediatric ward. For example, a person helping a child with personal hygiene, dressing, lifting and turning bedridden patients.
Physical touch to a child as part of a health service. For example, a massage therapist providing massages to children or an acupuncturist providing acupuncture to children.
First aid to a child as part of a sports event.
counselling to a child one-on-one in person, over the phone or online. For example, if a person is required to provide counselling to a child to resolve personal problems over the phone or online, then a blue card is required.
a support service to a child one-on-one in person over the phone or online. For example, someone providing emotional support for child witnesses as part of court proceedings.
Speech pathology to children.
Respite care to children.
Private ambulance services who is not a registered health practitioner who is engaged to attend junior sporting events.
Services as student enrolled in a tertiary course—including certificate, TAFE and university courses—and need to do a practical placement involving children.

A blue card is not needed for:

A person doing general work at any hospital. For example, a cleaner or maintenance worker.
A registered health practitioner working in your professional capacity. For example a doctor, nurse, midwife, paramedic, psychologist or dentist.
An registered teacher working within the school in your professional capacity as a teacher.
A person providing services as part of your employment with a licensed care service.
A person only providing health or counselling support to adults.

You will need a blue card if your business provides:

a health service that requires physical contact with a child or that is provided while nobody else is physically present
a counselling service or support service you are physically present with a child while nobody else is there.

A blue card is needed if your business provides these services:

Respite care to children.
Counselling or support services to children either in person one-one, over the phone or online. For example, you run a mental health program for teenagers or adolescents.
Massage, acupuncture, hypnosis or other natural or alternative medicines to children on a regular basis.
Health services to children, including dressing, bathing, or moving an ill or injured child from place to place.

A blue card is not needed if your business provides these services:

Provides services as a registered health practitioner.
Operates a licensed care service, which provides care for children who are under the care of the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.