Changes to the Working with Children Check: What sporting clubs need to know
New WWC Connect online service and mandatory child safety training commence 19 October 2026.
Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility. From 19 October 2026, changes to Victoria’s Working with Children (WWC) Check scheme will introduce a new online service for organisations and mandatory child safety training as part of the WWC Check application and renewal process.
Sporting clubs that engage workers or volunteers in child-related work should familiarise themselves with the changes and take steps to prepare.
What’s changing?
1. New WWC Connect online service
Organisations will need to use WWC Connect to notify the Social Services Regulator (SSR) when a worker or volunteer starts or stops doing child-related work.
Clubs should prepare by checking that their workers’ and volunteers’ WWC Clearance information is accurate and up to date. They should also ensure they have the correct information needed to connect existing workforce members to the new system, including their name, WWC Check card number, address and phone number.
2. Mandatory child safety training
Mandatory WWC Child Safety training will become part of the WWC Check application and renewal process. Organisations should make relevant workers and volunteers aware of the new training requirement.
How can your club prepare?
To help your club get ready for the changes, you should:
- Understand the changes: Review the new requirements and consider whether your club’s current processes need updating.
- Check WWC Clearance details: Make sure the information held for workers and volunteers is accurate and current.
- Prepare workforce information: Ensure you have the correct details needed to connect existing workers and volunteers to WWC Connect.
- Inform relevant staff: Make committee members and those responsible for recruitment, human resources and compliance aware of the changes.
- Communicate the training requirement: Let relevant workers and volunteers know about the introduction of mandatory child safety training.
Preparing ahead of time can help your club understand its responsibilities and make the transition to the new arrangements more straightforward.
Upcoming webinar: Changes to the Working with Children Check
The Social Services Regulator is hosting an information and Q&A webinar to help organisations understand the changes coming into effect on 19 October 2026.
Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Time: 2–2:45 pm
Presenters:
- Jonathan Kaplan, Social Services Regulator
- Jessica Low, SSR’s Executive Director Worker Screening and Child Safety Reform
- Juanita Pope, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS)
The webinar will cover the new WWC Connect online service, including the requirement to notify the SSR when workers or volunteers start or stop child-related work, and the introduction of mandatory child safety training.
The session is intended for representatives of organisations that engage workers or volunteers in child-related work. Workers and volunteers who hold a WWC Clearance do not need to attend.
Registration is required to attend the live webinar and submit a question for the Q&A.
Find out more
For further information about the changes and how they may affect your organisation, visit the Victorian Government’s website.
Changes to the Working with Children Check – Victorian Government
Community Sports Partnerships encourages sporting clubs to stay informed, review their processes and take the necessary steps to support child safety and meet their obligations.