Blue cards for tradespeople
If you are a tradesperson, whether you need a blue card will depend on the environment where the work is being performed and the type and frequency of the work.
The Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) does not apply to every environment where a child may be present and not everyone needs a blue card.
When you need a blue card
There are certain regulated environments where tradespeople may need a blue card.
Note the below scenarios are only examples to help guide you understand when you need a blue card in these environments.
Education and care services
An education and care service is a service, other than a school, that provides education and care to children under 13. This category catches organisations such as outside school hours care (OSHC), family day care, day care and kindergartens.
A tradesperson or contractor will need a blue card when working within these facilities while children are present.
Examples:
A blue card is needed if a:
- glazier repairs windows at an OSHC
- plumber installs a new sink at a kindergarten
- caterer delivers food into a day care centre during business hours
- tradesperson enters a school that runs an state-delivered kindergarten program to carry out maintenance.
A blue card is not needed if:
- an electrician is contracted to fix the lights at a childcare on a weekend when there are no children present.
Learn more about blue card requirements for education and care services.
Schools
In most cases tradespeople who enter schools for work will not need a blue card as their work is for the school, not directed towards students.
However, a tradesperson may require a blue card if the school has an education and care service—such as an OSHC or state-delivered kindergarten—operating on the school site. The OSHC or state-delivered kindergarten may operate within an identifiable boundary/premises within a school, or may operate across the entire school—you will need to contact the school to understand the boundaries and confirm if a blue card is required.
Examples:
A blue card is needed if a:
- tradesperson enters the school to provide VET or trade studies.
- contractor is employed to provide IT support to students.
A blue card is not needed if a:
- tradesperson is fixing the air conditioning unit at the school and has no contact with children.
- plumber has been tasked with fixing a broken drain on school property.
Learn more about blue card requirements for schools.
School-boarding facilities
Tradespeople whose usual work takes place inside a boarding facility at a school will need a blue card.
Examples:
A blue card is needed for a:
- electrician providing electrical maintenance at a boarding school
- cleaner employed by a boarding school to clean the dormitories.
Learn more about blue card requirements for school-boarding facilities.
Residential facilities
Tradespeople whose usual work takes place inside a residential facility will need a blue card.
Example:
A blue card is needed for a:
- cleaner cleaning at an youth service crisis shelter.
Learn more about blue card requirements for residential facilities.
Justice and detention services
Tradespeople whose usual work takes place inside a justice and detention centre will need a blue card.
Example:
A blue card is needed for a:
- Electrician providing electrical maintenance at a youth detention centre
Learn more about blue card requirements for justice and detention services .
Individuals and business owners/operators who engage in child-related regulated activities without a blue card may be committing an offence which may result in penalties.
Frequency of work
Tradespersons working in regulated environments for no more than seven days in a calendar year do not need a blue card. A calendar year is defined as from 1 January to 31 December. A day is any period of time on a given day.
A restricted person or a business owner/operator cannot rely on the frequency exemption.
Business owners and operators
If you are a tradesperson who is a business owner/operators working in regulated work you have additional obligations and must have a child and youth risk management strategy.
More information
- Executive officers and board or committee members of a regulated child-related organisation require a blue card.
- Read more about Executive officers and board or committee members
- Understand linking requirements for organisations.
- Check when you don’t need a blue card.
- Check who cannot apply for or hold a blue card.
- Learn how to apply for a blue or exemption card.