WWVP compliance and reporting for businesses
The Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) scheme aims to reduce the risk of harm or neglect to vulnerable people. A vulnerable person can be a child, or an adult experiencing disadvantage who accesses regulated activities.
Check if the role requires WWVP registration
Not every employee or volunteer needs a WWVP registration. It is not an employment clearance. It does not replace your organisation’s recruitment, reference checking, screening, supervision, safeguarding or risk-management processes.
Requesting a WWVP registration where it is not legally required may create risks for the individual and the organisation. A person may be refused registration or receive conditions that could affect their ability to work in roles requiring registration.
Before asking someone to apply, determine whether their role requires registration based on:
- activities performed*
- contact with vulnerable people
- exemptions.
*Please note employers of driving instructors, taxi, bus, hire car and rideshare drivers must make sure they have WWVP registrations.
Before asking an employee or volunteer to apply, check if they need a WWVP registration.
Requirements for sporting clubs and associations
Some people who work or volunteer with sporting clubs and associations involving children or vulnerable people need a WWVP registration. However, volunteers may not need a WWVP registration if:
- their contact with vulnerable people is only incidental, volunteering for no more than 3 days in a 4-week period or 7 days in a 12-month period
- they are under 16 years old
- another exemption applies.
Employer obligations
If WWVP registration is required for employees, businesses should:
- check the employee’s WWVP registration is current by emailing wwvp@act.gov.au*
- ensure the employee’s WWVP registration type, conditions and restrictions allow them to perform the role
- ensure the registered person does not breach a restriction on their registration
- keep accurate registration records
- monitor expiry dates
- email their staff list and WWVP registration status to wwvp@act.gov.au*
*Please include employee's full name, date of birth, WWVP registration number and expiry date.
Proactively notifying Access Canberra of your staff list and WWVP registrations helps enhance safety practices.
Find out more about the obligations of early childhood education and care providers.
Compliance visits
Access Canberra regularly checks that organisations and individuals working with vulnerable people are complying with the WWVP scheme.
Access Canberra may visit workplaces to check compliance with the WWVP scheme and help organisations understand their obligations.
Compliance officers may ask to see WWVP registration cards, registration records and your processes for monitoring registrations.
During a visit, please provide reasonable assistance and use the opportunity to ask questions about your WWVP processes.
Non-compliance
Fines
It is an offence to work or volunteer in a regulated activity without a WWVP registration. Fines up to $7,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment can apply.
Report
Access Canberra generally aims to educate and support compliance before considering stronger regulatory action.
If you think a workplace or individual is non-compliant, contact Access Canberra by:
- email to WWVPCompliance@act.gov.au
- using the Access Canberra Contact us form
- calling 13 22 81
- writing to: Background Screening Unit, Access Canberra, GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601
If Access Canberra finds, or is told of an instance of non-compliance, they may:
- provide verbal compliance advice or a written warning
- commence legal proceedings
- suspend WWVP registration
- apply interim conditions to a WWVP registration
- undertake another risk assessment, which could result in registration cancellation.