Astraeus

Hi,

This is likely to be the first post of many that I make as I try to clue myself up as far as is possible about moving to Australia.

I am about to embark on my Level 2 Football coaching badges here in the United Kingdom with a view to moving out to Australia to coach youth football in the 2011 season. My intended destination is Queensland and so I have been made aware that I will require a Blue Card if I am to be working around children.

I have had Criminal Records Bureau checks in the United Kingdom and they have raised no issues (as I have no criminal record or anything against my character). Does having had these checks affect my application for a Blue Card?

Thanks.

DRSAS

Hi,

Which Blue card?

Pollyana

Blue Card and CRB operate completely independently. Neither can carry out checks with the other country. When you fill in the Qld Blue Card form they will just carry out a police chck in Aus, and they will neither know nor care if you ever had a CRB check in the UK

Pollyana

In Queensland the check for working with children is called a Blue Card - similar to the CRB checks in the UK

Astraeus

Thank you for that advice Pollyanna. I understand the fee for an employment check is approximately $60AUS, is that correct? If I took on a voluntary position and then got a reduced-fee Blue Card through that, could I use it for a paid position?

Pollyana

AS I understand it (though its a couple of years since I did the admin for the cards) if you have a valid check then take up a position elsewhere then the second organisation can apply to have access to that check, rather than you having to apply for another one. Most employers will fund the check for you.
The link you need to look at is -
www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/employment/whats-new.html