Readiness checklist.

1. Before 19 October 2026

• Nominate the contact in WWC Connect who will receive status alerts, and a backup who checks their inbox.
• Decide who in the office does the status checks, the connecting and the offboarding.
• List every current volunteer, contractor and school council member doing child-related work.
• Check your volunteer process meets Ministerial Order 1359: screening, induction, code of conduct and supervision.
• Tell volunteers what's changing. Our page for volunteers can help.

2. Before each person starts

• Decide if the role is child-related work, child-connected work (the principal's call) or exempt. Use the clearance check.
• Check the clearance in the official WWC status checker before the first day. Keep a dated record of the check (a screenshot is one common way).
• Record the clearance type and number, the date checked and who checked it.
• If they're exempt, keep evidence that the exemption applies (a dated screenshot or photo is acceptable). Your school may still require a clearance.
• Pending application? Don't assume either way. It only counts if the status checker shows they're allowed to work while it's processed.
• Give them the child safety code of conduct and an induction briefing, and plan their supervision.

3. Within 7 or 21 days

• Connect them to the school in WWC Connect: within 21 days for volunteers or 7 days for workers, from the start date or the agreement date, whichever is earlier. Calculate the date.
• School council members: connect when elected or re-elected. (No deadline is published; we suggest 21 days.)
• People sent by another organisation are connected by that organisation. You still check their clearance.
• Record the date you connected them.

4. While they're engaged

• Watch for status alerts (suspension, interim bar, interim exclusion, revocation or expiry). They go to your nominated contact.
• On an alert, the person must stop child-related work immediately. Record the stop date, update WWC Connect, and follow your reportable conduct obligations.
• Decide whether you'll re-confirm open-ended volunteers each year. The Department's policy says annual checks aren't needed with WWC Connect; other Victorian guidance suggests at least annual checks.

5. When they stop

• Record the end date in WWC Connect within 21 days (volunteers) or 7 days (workers).
• Record the end date in your own register.

6. Records

• Keep a register with contact details, clearance type and number, date verified, and start and stop dates. See the full list and a template.
• Keep evidence of each clearance or exemption, and evidence that the check came before the start.
• Keep everything for 7 years after the person stops child-related work.

Sources: Department policy, Department guidance, vic.gov.au, WWC Connect, Volunteers policy. Checklist only, not legal advice.