❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on the development and implementation of criminal record checking for individuals working with children, including assessment guidelines, agency involvement, and associated costs. The Minister provides a detailed response outlining the progress, scope, and financial aspects of the initiative.
AnsweredQoN 588Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. (1) Will the minister inform the Parliament of the work that has been done by the screening unit within the Department for Community Development to develop assessment guidelines for checking the criminal records of people working with children? (2) Will the minister confirm which records will be checked and how the assessment of criminal records will be considered? (3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(1) Will the minister inform the Parliament of the work that has been done by the screening unit within the Department for Community Development to develop assessment guidelines for checking the criminal records of people working with children? (2) Will the minister confirm which records will be checked and how the assessment of criminal records will be considered? (3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(2) Will the minister confirm which records will be checked and how the assessment of criminal records will be considered? (3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(1) Will the minister inform the Parliament of the work that has been done by the screening unit within the Department for Community Development to develop assessment guidelines for checking the criminal records of people working with children? (2) Will the minister confirm which records will be checked and how the assessment of criminal records will be considered? (3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(2) Will the minister confirm which records will be checked and how the assessment of criminal records will be considered? (3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(3) Will any other government agency, such as the Department of Education and Training, be involved in developing the guidelines, or will teachers, childcare workers, nurses etc be assessed by the one screening unit with guidelines set by DCD? (4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(4) What costs have been incurred so far by the screening unit? Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: (1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(1) The development of guidelines is under way in line with section 12 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record) Checking Act 2004. This includes the computerised system to process applications from people with no criminal record or different types of criminal record. In addition, the working with children screening unit has examined the types of behaviour included in different types of offences, and is considering the assessment practices of other agencies and jurisdictions so that these can be built on where appropriate to the working with children legislation. (2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(2) People in child-related work, including childcare workers, will be assessed by the working with children screening unit. From 2007, certain government agencies will also be delegated under the act to conduct these checks. These approved screening agencies, intended to be the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Department for Community Development, will conduct checks of their employees and certain professions. These departments will have input into the development of these assessment guidelines. (3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(3) As stated in the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act, criminal records to be checked include national convictions to be provided through the CrimTrac agency. This will include consideration of spent and juvenile convictions. Pending and non-conviction charges that relate to offences scheduled under the act will also be assessed and will be provided by the Western Australia Police Service. Convictions and charges will be assessed in accordance with section 12 of the act. (4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
(4) In 2004-05 - $424 347; in 2005-06 - up to 31 August 2005 - $492 829.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.