Volunteer's Guide to Queensland Blue Card for Sport Volunteers 2026

At a sporting club, Blue Card Services says a blue card is needed by people who sit on an executive committee and make decisions about children's activities or services. This includes presidents, vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurers and committee members responsible for children's programs, even if they do not work directly with children. It is also needed by people who approve budgets, policies or programs for children's activities, and by people who organise events mainly for children.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/individuals-businesses/churches-clubs-associations

Blue Card Services lists these as not needing a blue card at a sporting club or sport facility:

• parents volunteering in activities involving their own child (unless a restricted person)
• people working in a canteen, kitchen, tuckshop or bar
• people who only provide food, drinks or equipment, with no further contact with children
• people doing maintenance or equipment safety checks
• cleaners
• front-of-house reception staff
• people taking part in a mixed-age sporting team
• registered health practitioners providing health services in their professional capacity
• children volunteering as referees

Sources: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/individuals-businesses/sport-active-recreation and https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/individuals-businesses/churches-clubs-associations

No. A parent volunteering in activities involving their own child does not need a blue card, but the exemption does not apply if:

• you are a restricted person (for example you have a suspended card or a negative notice), or
• you attend an overnight camp, or have close personal contact with a child.

The exemption covers your own child's activities only. If you coach or officiate a team as well, check the other questions in this guide.

Sources: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/industries/volunteers and https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/individuals-businesses/sport-active-recreation

Blue Card Services lists these volunteer exemptions:

• Volunteers under 18 do not need a blue card.
• Volunteering for 7 days or less is exempt, unless you attend an overnight camp or have close personal contact with a child.
• Volunteers who only give help or guidance to a child employee (such as during work experience) are exempt.

These exemptions do not apply to restricted persons (for example someone with a suspended card or a negative notice). For overnight camps the parent and 7-day exemptions do not apply, so volunteers must hold a blue card before attending.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/industries/volunteers

Nothing. There is no fee for a volunteer blue card. Blue Card Services lists no fee for volunteers linked to an organisation (fees current from 1 July 2026), and volunteers should ask their club to link their application before applying.

For comparison, a new paid-work blue card is $108.30, and moving from a volunteer card to paid work or a business also costs $108.30. A replacement card costs $16.35 for all applicants.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/applications/payment

1. Get a CRN and photo from TMR. Visit a Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer service centre with acceptable identity documents. Getting a CRN or photo is free. If you live interstate, overseas or in a remote area you can apply remotely with a TMR remote pack.
2. Check your details match TMR. Your email address, mobile number and date of birth in the application must match your TMR record. Your photo must be less than 6 years and 11 months old.
3. Register for an online account on the blue card applicant portal, with your CRN handy.
4. Link to your club. Give the organisation your online account number and date of birth. They must create the link, and you are told by text or email when it is ready so you can continue.
5. Complete the application in the portal, or use the paper volunteer form (V) if you cannot apply online. Paper applications may take longer.

Volunteers must be linked to the organisation before applying, which helps show they are genuine volunteers.

Sources: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/applications/apply and https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/industries/volunteers

You must renew before your card expires if you want to keep doing regulated child-related work, which includes volunteering. Blue Card Services says renewing on time lets you keep working with children while your renewal is assessed.

• You get a reminder 10 weeks before expiry, so keep your contact details up to date.
• You can renew from 16 weeks before the expiry date.
• Renew online through the applicant portal (recommended). A paper application is the alternative if you cannot apply online and may take longer.
• Have your Customer Reference Number (CRN) from Transport and Main Roads (TMR) ready. Your email, mobile number and date of birth must match your TMR record, and if your photo is more than 6 years and 11 months old you need a new one from a TMR customer service centre first.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/existing/renew

Blue Card Services sets these deadlines for card holders:

• Within 7 days: changes to your personal details, work or business information, or disclosable information, and starting or stopping a child-related business.
• Within 14 days: a lost or stolen card, or moving from volunteer to paid work or a business.
• Immediately: changes to police information, such as a charge or conviction, or becoming subject to certain orders.

Volunteers who move into paid child-related work must transfer their volunteer card to a paid card.

Sources: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card/system/rights-and-obligations/individuals and https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/industries/volunteers

Suspended: a suspension is temporary and lets the department reassess your eligibility. It can happen, for example, if you are charged with a serious or disqualifying offence. While your card is suspended you must:

• return your card right away
• stop regulated child-related work (including coaching or officiating children's sport)

You become a restricted person, the department notifies you and your linked organisations, and continuing the work carries serious penalties. You can apply to end a suspension after 6 months. It may continue if there are outstanding criminal charges, an unresolved appeal or an ongoing interstate suspension.

Cancelled: a cancellation permanently ends your card (for example after a negative notice). You must return the card immediately and your linked organisations are notified.

You may be able to request a review of a suspension, cancellation or negative notice decision.

Source: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/applications/eligible/suspended-and-cancelled-cards

Blue Card Services lists two phone numbers: 1800 113 611 or (07) 3211 6999.

Official pages: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/required/industries/volunteers and https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/blue-card/applications