No Card, No Start and changes to applications and renewals
The No Card, No Start law means you must have a valid blue card before you start work.
You will be able to apply for a blue card before you get a job, so you can be job-ready.
If you don't renew your blue card by the time it expires, you will be subject to the No Card, No Start law and cannot work.
No Card, No Start law
The No Card, No Start law is a key part of how we are building a stronger, more streamlined blue card system.
No Card, No Start means that paid workers must have a blue card (no longer a pending application) before they can work with children.
(However, if you have a paid application submitted before the new laws start, you can continue working while your application is assessed.)
There is no change for volunteers, trainee students and people running regulated child-related businesses—you have always needed a blue card before you could start working or volunteering with children.
If you are a jobseeker, you can also apply for a paid blue card to be job-ready.
To support the introduction of the No Card, No Start law:
organisations will be able to use the online Organisation Portal to manage their blue card records and obligations more easily.
Applying for a blue card
There will be some changes to the application process:
quicker identity confirmation from a partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads
a fully online application submission process that will speed up turnaround times.
Verifying your identity
We work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to verify your identity and obtain the photo for your blue/exemption card. This means organisations will no longer need to sight and verify your identification documents on your blue/exemption card application.
You will need a customer reference number (CRN) and photo from TMR before you apply for your blue card.
For many, this will be the number and photo on your driver licence, photo identity card or marine licence. More than 4.5 million people already have a CRN.
If you don't have a CRN, the easiest and fastest way to get one is to visit a TMR Customer Service Centre. You will need to prove your identity. There is no fee for the CRN or the photo.
You will be able to apply for or renew your blue or exemption card using the online applicant portal. This will mean a faster approval time for most applicants.
While you will be able to apply for a paid blue card at any time to be job-ready, volunteers and students need to be linked to an organisation to get a blue card for free.
Volunteer to paid transfer applications
If you hold a volunteer blue card and move into paid regulated child-related work, your card must be transferred to a paid card.
You will need to complete and submit a volunteer to paid employment transfer form (V to P), include your CRN on the form, and pay the application fee. Your new card will have your photograph on it.
You can start in paid work as soon as you have submitted this form to us.
As long as your eligibility has not changed (e.g. there is no change in your police history), a paid card will be issued. You can use the paid card for any other regulated child-related service—whether paid or unpaid.
Renewing expiring cards
As long as you submit your renewal applicationbefore your current card expires, you can continue to work in paid employment, volunteer, run your business or undertake your student placement—even if we haven't issued your new blue card by the time your previous one expires.
If you don't apply to renew your card before it expires, you will not be able to continue working or volunteering until a new card has been issued.
Video summary of No Card, No Start laws
No Card, No Start laws
This video has been developed to provide information about what the No Card, No Start laws mean for you.
Duration 1:53
If you work or volunteer with kids in Queensland we've got some news.
From 31 August 2020, the Queensland Government will make changes to the blue card system.
To make it better. Better for you. Better for our kids.
The No Card, No Start laws are a key part of how we are building a stronger, more streamlined blue card system and helping to keep kids safer in Queensland.
People with paid applications submitted prior to 31 August 2020 will be able to continue working while their applications are assessed. However all applications submitted on or after 31 August 2020 will be subject to the No Card, No Start laws.
The No Card, No Start laws will mean you must have a blue card, no longer a pending application, before you can work with children.
This will mean you cannot run a child regulated business or work or volunteer with kids until your blue card application has been approved.
Existing card holders will need to renew their blue card before it expires to continue working with kids.
If you need more information about this our friendly staff are here to help.
By working together and knowing how these changes affect you we can build a stronger blue card system and keep Queensland kids safe.
For more information about these changes visit our website, phone our call centre, send us an email
or watch our other videos available on our website.
Application process videos
Applying for a blue card
A general overview of how you will be able to apply for a blue card from 31 August 2020.
Duration 2:13
If you work or volunteer with kids in Queensland we've got some news.
From 31 August 2020 the Queensland Government will make changes to the blue card system to make it better. Better for you, better for our kids.
To apply for a blue card you will need a Customer Reference Number, also known as a CRN, from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. We call this TMR.
To find out more about this you can watch our video on how to apply for a CRN from TMR.
As of 31 August 2020, you will be able to apply for and renew your blue card online. The online application system can be used on multiple devices such as a PC, laptop, tablet and smartphone.
You will be able to pay for your application as part of the online process. You can also have someone else pay for your application, such as your employer.
Existing card holders will be able to renew their blue card without waiting for their employer to link them. Most applications will be processed in five business days. However, it may take longer if any police information is found as part of the blue card check.
Applicants will be notified by email when their application has been approved.
Of course, we will continue to accept paper application forms for those who don't have access to a computer or internet.
If you need more information about this our friendly staff are here to help.
By working together and knowing how these changes affect you, we can build a stronger blue card system and keep Queensland kids safe.
For more information about these changes visit our website, phone our call centre, send us an email or watch our other videos available on our website.
How to apply for a blue card using a Customer Reference Number
An overview of how you will be able to apply for a blue card using your Customer Reference Number (CRN) from Department of Transport and Main Roads from 31 August 2020.
Duration 2:13
If you work or volunteer with kids in Queensland, we've got some news.
From 31 August 2020 the Queensland Government will make changes to the blue card system to make it better. Better for you, better for our kids.
To apply for a blue card you will need a Customer Reference Number also known as a CRN from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. We call this TMR.
More than 4.5 million people already have a CRN. It's the number on your driver's licence, photo identity card or proof of age card. TMR has a list of other documents where your CRN can be found.
We work with TMR to verify your identity and obtain the photo for your blue card.
If your photo was taken more than six years and nine months ago you will need to visit a TMR and get a new photo taken. If you are not sure how long ago your photo was taken by TMR we can help you with that.
If you don't already have a CRN, the easiest and fastest way to get one is to visit a TMR Customer Service Centre with your ID document. A list of accepted ID documents is available on the TMR website.
TMR will take your photo and give you a CRN while you wait. We will use this photo on your blue card. It's free to apply for your CRN and get your photo taken but you will need to pay for your blue card application if you're a paid employee, business operator or a job seeker getting a blue card for paid work.
We know that not all towns have a TMR Customer Service Centre. However, there are other agencies where you can get a CRN and a photo taken such as the Queensland police station or QGAP office.
Call us and we can help you find the best way to access one.
There is also a link on our website with this information.
Once you've got your CRN and photo taken, you can apply online.
If you need more information about this, our friendly staff are here to help.
By working together and knowing how these changes affect you, we can build a stronger blue card system and keep Queensland kids safe.
For more information about these changes visit our website phone our call centre, send us an email or watch our other videos available on our website.
