There are important changes coming to Queensland’s blue card system. Most importantly, the new laws will help keep kids safe in our community. From 31st August,  everyone will need to have a blue card before they start work with kids and not  just have an application pending.

Clubs must ensure that all employees and volunteers hold a valid card before they start working with children. Volunteer Parents and volunteers under 18 are covered under the Restricted Employment section.  However there is one thing that clubs need to consider as it will be an offence for a restricted person to start or continue working or volunteering in restricted employment. The maximum penalty will be $66,725 (500 penalty units) or 5 years in prison. Or for an employer to employ or continue to employ a restricted person in restricted employment if they know (or should reasonably know) that they are a restricted person. The maximum penalty will be $26,690 (200 penalty units) or 2 years in prison.

https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card/system/review/restricted-person

So with this in mind Clubs can reduce their “should reasonably know” risk by considering:

• that all volunteers carry a Blue Card (this includes parents and under 18’s); or
• ask all parent volunteers and under 18 volunteers to complete an induction form that includes questions about what constitutes a restricted person

You can view a video here about Restricted Employment here:

From 31^st August all Blue cards issued will have a photo of the card holder. Clubs will still be required to take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of a person presenting a card to them. For example, if someone joins your organisation and has a card with no photo, you could check the name on the blue card against another form of photo ID. Similarly, if someone joins your organisation with a blue card which has a photo, you will still need to check the photo is the person who you are employing.

The changes include a new Blue Card Organisation Portal to make it easier for Clubs to manage their blue card records online and to manage the organisation’s obligations under the new laws. Volunteers and students will need to be linked to the Club through the new Portal. They will be able to get a blue card for free. Existing or new volunteers or students must be linked to the organisation to apply for or renew their blue card for free.

Many of the changes to the blue card system will affect organisations where workers or volunteers require blue cards. Here are some more details on the changes:

• the No Card, No Start law—you cannot work or volunteer in a position requiring a blue card until your application is approved
• a new rule for expiring cards—if you don't renew by the expiry date, you will be subject to the No Card, No Start law and cannot work
• a requirement to notify us about changes in your police information as a card holder or applicant
• stricter requirements for people who rely on an exemption to work or volunteer with children—through the introduction of the terms restricted person and restricted employment, and associated offences
• a new frequency test—if you only work 7 or fewer days in a calendar year, a blue card may not be required. This does not apply if you operate a business
• an expiry date for exemption cards for Queensland police and teachers, so they will need to be renewed if still required.

There are many resources on the Blue Card website to help you with the transition. Attached to this article are the Portal FAQ and a summary of the changes. You can view a short video on the changes here:

Now is the time to update your Club Child Safety Policy with the new rules.  If your club does not have a child safety policy or Child Safety Code of conduct you can find templates and more information on the AS Resources page: https://www.sailingresources.org.au/as_child_safety/ and you can also see a Child and Youth Risk Management Fact Sheet that covers the 8 Mandatory Requirements for your Child Protection Strategy here or contact your Club Services Officer for any assistance.

For more information about the Blue Card System visit this link.