Working With Children Changes
As of today, Monday 19th October 2026, the Victorian Government, through the Social Services Regulator, has introduced significant changes to the Working with Children (WWC) system.
While some changes are minor, for example, a change in terminology from “WWC Check” to “WWC Clearance”, others, such as the new Working with Children Connect requirement, will have a greater impact on Clubs.
It is now a legal responsibility for organisations to ‘connect’ any members, volunteers or staff who are tasked with carrying out specific child-related work/events, via the new WWC Connect. Clubs are only required to connect existing workers and volunteers who have direct and usual contact with children. This will help ensure you receive notifications if someone’s WWC Clearance status changes.
From today, INDIVIDUALS who are:
- Renewing Clearances
- Applying for new Clearances
- Changing from Volunteer to Employee type Clearances
will need to undertake the mandatory new WWC Child Safety Training. An online course that takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Those with current clearances (existing WWCC holders) need not act, they remain valid until it becomes time to renew, at which point the new process must be followed.
Individuals must complete the training before their WWC Clearance application can be finalised. The training will help build a consistent understanding of child safety responsibilities across Victoria’s child-related workforce. The training complements and does not replace organisations’ existing child safety responsibilities, induction, supervision, or training.
To comply with WWC Connect requirements, your ORGANISATIONS should:
1. Check – use the WWC status checker to verify your workers’ WWC Clearance.
2. Create – an online WWC Connect account for your Club or Region.
3. Connect – when ready to formally engage, connect them to your organisation using WWC Connect.
4. Record – keep appropriate records to show you have completed the required checks and connection.
5. Maintain – keep your WWC Connect records up to date as workers and volunteers join, leave or their details change.
With the new legislation now in effect, Bowls Victoria understand the difficulties that changes like this can have on Clubs and Volunteers and will provide more specific advice to Clubs as we continue to engage with the Social Services Regulator.
It should be noted that access to these systems and web portals was only provided to organisations today, 19th October. Bowls Victoria is currently undertaking the necessary steps for our own staff and volunteers and will provide more advice on this experience to further support Clubs and Regions to manage the process.
Bowls Victoria continues to support and promote Child Safety through our commitment to the National Integrity Framework (NIF) and the WWC program.
More information can be found at https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/work-and-volunteering/working-with-children-connect
