Blue cards for Parents and Citizens and Parent and Friends associations
Parents and Citizens (P&C) and Parent and Friends (P&F) Associations are volunteer-run organisations that play a vital role in Queensland schools. They strengthen school communities by encouraging family and community involvement and supporting educational outcomes.
To strengthen safeguards for children, new blue card requirements for P&C and P&F members came into effect on 20 September 2025.
Child safe environments don’t just happen. That’s why it is important that Executive Committee members who make decisions about activities & services for children in Queensland hold a blue card. Executive Committee members are defined in the association’s constitution and typically include the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Who needs a blue card
You will need a blue card if you are an Executive Committee member of a P&C or P&F Association or similar entity and you make decisions related to children.
Exemptions
As an executive committee member, the volunteer parent exemption does not apply.
If your P&C or P&F does not run an Outside School Hours Care service (OSHC), and you make decisions related to children less than 7 days per calendar year, you will not need a blue card.
This exemption does not apply to executive officers of P&Cs or P&Fs that run an OSHC.
What type of blue card you need
The type of blue card you’ll need will depend on your role and the services provided by your organisation.
Most P&Cs and P&Fs are captured under the churches, clubs and associations category.
However, Executive Officers of P&Cs or P&Fs that operate an outside of school hours care service (OSHC) must instead apply as a business operator under the education and care services category.
Your role | Blue card category |
|---|---|
Executive committee member of an association that does not operate an OSHC | Churches, clubs and associations involving children |
Executive committee member of an association that operates an OSHC | Education and care services and similar business |
If you are an Executive Officer for a P&C or P&F with the responsibility of operating an OSHC you must hold a blue or exemption card before you start.
Examples
A blue card is needed for Executive Committee members of Associations and similar entities who make decisions about children.
A blue card is not needed for:
- Any members of a P&C or P&F that does not make decisions about children, for example, a P&C or P&F that is focused solely on fundraising
or
- Non-executive committee members of P&Cs and P&Fs that make decisions about children.
If you volunteer in other activities at the school that directly involve your child, for example, helping at the sports day or working in the tuck shop, you don't need a blue card except in limited circumstances. The volunteer parent exemption continues to apply. Go to information about new parent volunteer rules.
More information
- P&C or P&F flow chart.
- Executive officers and board or committee members
- 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