Serious offences
If you have been charged with or convicted of a serious offence, you may still be able to hold a blue card.
If you were an adult when the offence happened, you must show that an exceptional case exists. This is part of the blue card risk assessment.
This page explains:
- what a serious offence is
- what happens if you are charged with a serious offence
- what happens if you are convicted of a serious offence.
These rules apply under the Working with Children Check Act 2000 (the Act).
What is a serious offence
A serious offence does not always stop you from holding a blue card.
Serious offences under Queensland or Australian laws are listed in Schedule 2 or Schedule 3 of the Act.
An offence may also be a serious offence if a similar offence was committed in another Australian state and territory.
Some serious offences include:
- manslaughter
- sexual assault of an adult
- torture and other serious acts against an adult
- coercive control
- robbery or burglary with aggravating circumstances
- serious drug offences, including trafficking in dangerous drugs.
A serious offence can also include:
- trying to commit a serious office
- planning with others to commit a serious offence
- encouraging or helping someone to commit a serious offence.
Any other offence that must be reported under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004 is also a serious offence.
What happens if you are charged with a serious offence
If you are charged with a serious offence and the charge has not been finalised, different rules apply to applicants and card holders.
If you are applying for a blue card
If you were an adult when the offence was allegedly committed, we must withdraw your application.
You can apply when the charge is finalised.
If you already hold a blue card
If you hold a blue card or exemption card, we must suspend your card.
You will become a restricted person.
If the charge is finalised and you are not convicted, you can request a reassessment. This will be considered during the blue card risk assessment process.
What happens if you are convicted of a serious offence
You can still apply for a blue card if you have been convicted of a serious offence.
When we receive your application, we will conduct the blue card check. This check will show if you have ever been convicted of a serious offence.
If you were an adult when the offence happened, we must refuse your application unless an exceptional case exists.
This will be considered as part of the blue card risk assessment.
Support resources
You may find these resources helpful:
- Fact sheet: How to make a submission
- Journey map: Application with assessable information
- Journey map: Changes to assessable information
- Reference to support a blue card application
- Submission response form - Blue card application
- Submission response form - Exemption card application
- Submission response form - Application to cancel negative notice
More information
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