Can I start coaching or helping before my clearance arrives?
Rule- New South Wales
- Office of the Children's Guardian
- Working With Children Check
- Adults 18+
- 2026
- Volunteers
Under the legislation, a person can start child-related work once they have an application (APP) number. The Office of the Children's Guardian says a person can only be engaged in child-related work if their status is "Cleared" or "Application in progress".
Some employers, such as NSW Health and the Department of Education, require a valid clearance first.
The police check starts once you show your ID at a Service NSW Centre and can take up to 4 weeks, so apply well before the season starts. Once you receive your WWCC number, the club verifies it again.
Added 24 Oct 2026