The McGowan Government has introduced laws to the Parliament of Western Australia that will strengthen Working with Children Checks and better protect children from harm.
The Working with Children Check is a screening process for people undertaking paid or unpaid child-related work and is a key strategy to increase child safety in WA.
Under the proposed changes to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004, criminal offences that trigger an automatic Negative Notice will be expanded. It is an offence to carry out child-related work whilst holding a Negative Notice. Convictions for all sexual offences against children, and violent offences against children that involve intent to kill or cause life-threatening harm, will result in an automatic Negative Notice, if committed when an adult. This will also apply if charges are pending.