Blue cards for legal professionals
From 20 September 2025 the below changes will take effect.
You need a blue card if you are a lawyer or other legal professional providing services to children in relation to court or other legal proceedings.
Workers and volunteers
If you provide legal or advocacy services to children you need a blue card under the Health, counselling and support services category.
Examples
A blue card is needed for a lawyer or legal professional who provides:
- in-person support to a child in connection with a court matter while no one else is present
- emotional support for a child victim or witness in connection with legal proceedings.
- legal support to a child online or over the phone
A blue card is not needed for a:
- receptionist in a law firm who might welcome a child arriving for a meeting
- lawyer whose practice does not relate to children.
Business owners and operators
You need a blue card if the usual activities of your business include providing legal or advocacy services to children.
Example
A blue card is needed for a business owner or executive of a law firm that provides legal services to children, particularly where those services involve online or phone support, or where the staff member is alone with a child.
More information
- Upcoming changes to the blue card system.
- Executive officers and board or committee members of a regulated child-related organisation need 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