Text Size
Print
Email
International News
- Text Size
- Print
- Email
Australia's New Background Check Laws
A new scheme to provide more thorough security checks for those working with children and vulnerable adults will be introduced in the ACT next year.
The Government has reached agreement with the mental health and drug and alcohol sectors to implement the new laws over six years.
Community Services Minister Joy Burch says the new scheme will bring uniform standards to background checks.
"All services to children and vulnerable Canberrans will have the same checking process. Also part of this is the issue of a card so workers will have a clearance card, a suitability card, that they can transfer regardless of what job they're in," she said.
"Volunteers form a key part of work across our community. So volunteers will also be issued with a card and there will be no charge for that card for volunteers."
The mental health and drug and alcohol sectors had previously been reluctant to move to the new scheme because of concerns on how it would impact on employees who have 'lived experience'.
"What we've done with this is make sure there's a common assessment and we will phase in this checking system over a couple of years," Ms Burch said.
"The drug and alcohol and mental health sector will come in at the latter part of this so all the systems will be very clear and transparent when those workforce are checked."
Ms Burch says there will now be a final round of community consultation over the next month.
2024 The Background Investigator. All Rights Reserved.