Compliance with the NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a legal requirement for all Clubs, Associations, Branches, Futsal Clubs, Futsal Centres and Referee Branches, and individuals who work or volunteer in football with children aged under 18 years.

Persons aged Under 18 years are exempt from the WWCC requirements.

How to apply for a WWC Number:

1. Apply online for a NSW Working with Children Check
2. Attend a Service NSW Centre with your proof of identity documents and fee (a fee is applicable to paid employees).
3. Once you have attended Service NSW the application process is complete and the screening process commences.
4. Once the screening process is complete and you are cleared your WWC Number will be issued.
5. Your WWC Number will be issued by email.
6. Give your WWC Number to the Registrar.
7. The club then verifies your WWC Number in the online verification system to check that you are cleared to work with children and to link you and the club in the system.
8. Once your WWC Number has been verified online by the club, you are able to commence in your role.

• In football, most referees are paid to referee and paid referees are therefore required to hold  a ‘paid’ WWC Number. Any form of remuneration in return for refereeing is deemed to be payment, including payment in cash or kind, allowances, gift vouchers or other forms of payment.

• The requirement to obtain a ‘paid’ WWCC still applies even if a referee claims his/her payments as a ‘hobby’ for tax purposes using a hobby declaration form.

• If income derived from refereeing is declared by the referee as taxable income, the cost of the WWCC may be tax deductible but the referee must obtain their own taxation advice in this regard.

• Referees who are volunteer referees and receive no payment or remuneration in return at all for refereeing can apply for and provide a ‘volunteer’ WWC Number.

• Referee’s under 18 years of age are exempt and cannot apply for a WWC until 3 months prior to their 18th birthday.

A “paid” WWC costs $105

• A Working with Children Check is renewed every 5 years.

There are 2 ways to renew your WWC Number, depending on how you choose to have your identification verified:

• Online using face verification – instead of going into a Service NSW Centre to present your identity documents, you renew online and use your device to scan your face. The scan is matched with the photo used on your NSW Driver Licence or NSW Photo Card.
• At a Service NSW Centre – you need to complete the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) renewal application form, then visit a service centre within 28 days to present the original version of your identity documents and pay your fee if required.

For further information – Service NSW – Renew Your WWC Number

• You will need to upgrade your Volunteer WWC Number to a Paid WWC Number