Offences and penalties for individuals under the blue card system
This page explains offences and penalties that may apply if you do not follow the blue card rules.
This page is for individuals.
If you are an organisation, see the information about penalties for organisations.
From 1 July 2026, 1 penalty unit is $172.70.
Starting or continuing in regulated employment
You must have a current blue card before you start or continue in regulated work.
This does not apply if you are either:
- a Queensland police officer
- registered teacher
and have an exemption card application in progress.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years imprisonment.
Moving from volunteer to paid work
If you have a blue card as a volunteer and start paid regulated work, you must tell us.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
Running a business
You must not run a regulated business unless you either:
- have a current blue card
- have an exemption card application in progress.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
Executive officers
If you are an executive officer of the corporation that runs a regulated business and you mainly live in Australia, you must either:
- hold a current blue card
- have an exemption card application in progress.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
Employee register
If you run a regulated business, you must keep an employee register for all workers in regulated employment.
Maximum penalty: $8,635.00 (50 penalty units).
Tell us about changes
Application in progress
While your application is being assessed, you must tell us within 7 days if your:
- name changes
- contact details change.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
Current card holder
If you hold a current blue card or exemption card, you must tell us within 7 days if you:
- change your name
- start using a different name
- change your contact details
- change your business details
- have a new disclosable matter that you have not already told us about.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
If you have applied to cancel a negative notice
If you have applied to have your negative notice cancelled, you must tell us within 7 days if you:
- change your name
- change your contact details
- start using a different name
- have a disclosable matter you have not already told us about.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
Lost, stolen and replacement cards
If your card is lost or stolen
You must tell us within 14 days.
You must also either:
- apply for a replacement card
- ask us to cancel the card.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
If you find your lost card
If you find your original card after receiving a replacement, you must return the original card within 14 days.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
If you receive a replacement card
If you receive a replacement card because your details changed, you must return the old card within 7 days.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
Suspended, cancelled and negative notice holders
If your card is suspended
You must return your card immediately.
Maximum penalty: $17,270.00 (100 penalty units).
If your card is cancelled
If your card is:
- cancelled, and
- you receive a negative notice
you must return your card immediately.
Maximum penalty: $17,270.00 (100 penalty units).
Changes in police information
If your police information changes
If you have a blue card or an application in progress, you must tell us immediately about any change in your police information. You must use the approved form.
Maximum penalty: $17,270.00 (100 penalty units).
If you have a new disclosable matter
If you have a blue card or exemption card, you must tell us within 7 days about any change to a disclosable matter.
Maximum penalty: $1,727.00 (10 penalty units).
Serious or disqualifying offences
If you are convicted of a serious offence
When convicted of a serious offence, you must:
- return your blue card or exemption card immediately, and
- stop all regulated work with children.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
If you are charged with a disqualifying offence
If you have a blue card or exemption card application in progress and you are charged with disqualifying offence, you must not:
- start or continue in regulated work
- operate a regulated business.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
If your card is suspended
If your blue card or exemption card is suspended, you must not:
- start or continue in regulated work
- operate a regulated business.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
If you are a restricted person
If you are a restricted person, you must not:
- start or continue in restricted employment
- start or continue in regulated employment
- operate a regulated business.
Maximum penalty: $86,350.00 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison.
Giving information to Blue Card Services
Giving correct information
You must not:
- make a false or misleading statements
- provide a false or misleading document.
Maximum penalty: $17,270.00 (100 penalty units).
Providing requested information
You must provide information if Blue Card Services gives you an information requirement notice.
Maximum penalty: $8,635.00 (50 penalty units).
More information
You can also find out about: