Apply for a blue card or exemption card
To work or volunteer in regulated child-related employment or operate a regulated child-related business in Queensland, you may need a blue card or exemption card.
Following the process outlined on this page to apply for a blue card or exemption card will help to ensure you have everything ready to complete your application.
If you are unsure if you need a blue or exemption card, find out when a card is required.
Check your eligibility
To help ensure the safety of children and young people in Queensland, the blue card system stops certain people from holding or applying for a blue card. Find out if you are eligible to hold a blue card.
Prove your identity
You will need a Customer Reference Number (CRN) from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) before you apply for your blue or exemption card to prove your identity. You can find your CRN on any TMR product. If you are not sure if you have ever had a CRN, you can contact TMR.
We use the photo from your TMR product for your blue card. If your photo with TMR was taken more than 6 years and 11 months ago, you will need to have a new photo taken at a TMR customer service centre.
If you don’t have a CRN, or your photo has expired, you will need to visit a TMR customer service centre to get one. If you are unable to visit TMR or live interstate you can still apply for a CRN from them.
There is no fee to get a CRN or have your photo updated.
Getting a CRN or updating your photo
In person
To get a CRN you must:
- take your acceptable identity documents to a TMR customer service centre to prove your identity
- ask the TMR staff to take your photo.
When you have done this, you will need to wait for the CRN confirmation letter/email. When the confirmation arrives, keep it in a safe place as you will need the CRN to register for an online account to apply for your blue card.
To update your expired photo, take your TMR product to a TMR customer service centre to get a new photo. They will keep the new photo on file for the next time you renew your TMR product.
Remotely
If you are unable to attend a TMR customer service centre, you can complete a remote pack.
You can complete a remote pack if:
- you live interstate
- you live overseas
- you live in a remote area of Queensland and cannot get to a TMR customer service centre
- it is genuinely unreasonable or difficult for you to attend a TMR customer service centre.
Existing CRN holders who need to update your photo refer to information for updating your photo with TMR remotely.
Non CRN holders who need to apply for a CRN from TMR refer to information for getting a CRN from TMR remotely.
Watch our videos to learn more about applying for a CRN using a remote pack for a blue card application if you’re from interstate, overseas or a remote area of Queensland.
Apply for a blue or exemption card
To apply for a blue or exemption card, follow these 3 steps.
- Have your CRN nearby to reference.
- Register for an online account. This is how we verify your identity and get the photo for your card.
- Apply for your blue or exemption card using the online applicant portal or download the paper form.
The online application works best on desktop or tablet devices. Please use an up-to-date browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge. You may encounter issues with older browsers.
Submit a paper application
If you can’t apply online, you can submit a paper application. If your application requires payment, you will need to have a:
- Mastercard or Visa credit/debit card to pay for your application
- BPOINT receipt number.
You can submit your paper application to us by:
- scan and upload
- post
- delivering it in person.
Processing and approval times may take longer for paper applications.
How-to videos
We have also created some videos to help you with your application:
- What you need to know before applying
- Registering for an online account
- Applying through the applicant portal
Withdrawing your application
You can withdraw your consent to screening at any time before a decision is made about your application by contacting us.
Receiving your card
If your application is approved, we will notify you via email or post. We will send your physical card to your postal address.
Delivery times to receive your blue or exemption card may be up to 21 days.
Once you receive confirmation, you can start or continue in child-related work straight away. You do not need to have your physical blue card or exemption card before you can start working or volunteering with children.
You or your employer can validate your blue or exemption card at any time after you receive your Working with Children Check approval email.
More information
- Read information for application processing times.
- There are prescribed fees that relate to blue card applications.
- Access and download other blue card PDF forms.