Blue cards for working in shelters
Whether you need a blue card to work or volunteer in a shelter depends on:
- who the shelter accommodates
- the services you provide
- whether children are receiving those services.
Adult-only shelter
A blue card is not automatically required to work within an adult shelter.
However, a blue card may be needed if you provide regulated child-related services to children.
Examples
- provide sport, recreation or supervised activities for children
- provide health, counselling or support services to children
- provide childcare while parents attend appointments or support groups
- provide private teaching, coaching or tutoring to children
- deliver activities or programs specifically for children
Related categories
Youth or children shelters
If a shelter’s main purpose is to accommodate children, such as a youth shelter or safe house, a blue card is generally needed under the residential facilities category.
A child is any person under the age of 18.
Examples
A blue card is needed if you:
- work in a youth shelter
- work in a safe house for children
- work in accommodation for children waiting to be placed in care
- provide services within a residential facility while children are present
- are a cleaner, contractor or tradesperson working in a residential facility while children are present.