WWC Connect, in plain English.

1. What WWC Connect is

In shortA Government online service, starting 19 October 2026, where organisations tell the Social Services Regulator who is doing child-related work for them.

Schools must use WWC Connect to notify the Social Services Regulator when a person starts and stops child-related work. Your existing duty to check clearances before people start hasn't changed. You check in the WWC status checker, then connect the person in WWC Connect.

iComply doesn't connect to WWC Connect and isn't part of it. We help you keep track of what's due and keep the evidence.

2. Who's covered

• Child-related work: volunteers, contractors and other workers whose role involves contact with students. They need a clearance (unless exempt) and must be connected.
• School council members: from the 2026 school year, members must hold a clearance (except VIT-registered teachers and students), and are connected when elected or re-elected.
• Child-connected work (students present, but contact isn't part of the role, such as working bees, guest speakers or visiting trades): the principal decides whether a clearance is needed. You can connect them with their consent.
• People sent by another organisation: that organisation connects its own employees and volunteers. Your school still checks their clearance.

Catholic and independent schools follow their own policies under the same legislation. Check yours.

3. The 7- and 21-day clocks

Connect a worker within 7 days and a volunteer within 21 days of engaging them. You engage someone on the day they first do child-related work, or on the day you enter into a written or verbal arrangement for the work, if that is earlier.

When they stop, record the end date in WWC Connect on the same clock. Use our connect-by calculator.

4. Exemptions

The Department's guidance lists people who are exempt from holding a clearance, including:

• registered teachers in Victoria (a teacher doing child-related work outside teaching may still need to be connected)
• a parent volunteering in an activity with their own child
• people under 18
• 18 and 19 year old students on placement through their education institution
• people closely related to all the children involved
• Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police officers.

Keep evidence that the exemption applies. A dated screenshot or photo is acceptable. Your school can still require a clearance.

5. Status alerts

If a person's status changes (suspension, interim bar, interim exclusion, revocation or expiry), WWC Connect emails the contact you nominated. You won't be told why. The person must stop child-related work immediately. Update WWC Connect, record the stop date and follow your reportable conduct obligations.

Pending applications: a person may be able to start or continue work while an application or renewal is processed, but only if the status checker says so. Don't assume either way.

6. Records

Keep a register and evidence for 7 years after each person stops child-related work. See what the register must contain and download our template.

7. Training for clearance holders

From 19 October 2026, people applying for or renewing a clearance must complete mandatory child safety training. Follow the instructions Service Victoria gives during the application. Volunteers can read what to expect.

8. Open questions

• Annual re-checks: the Department's policy says annual verification isn't needed because WWC Connect sends alerts, while other Victorian guidance suggests checking at least annually. In iComply this is a school setting.
• Council deadline: the official pages give no number of days for council members. Our calculator uses 21 days until this is confirmed.
• People engaged before 19 October: check the official guidance for how to handle people who were already working with you.

9. Change log

Sources: Department policy · Department guidance · Volunteers policy · WWC Connect · Changes to the WWC Check · Suitable staff and volunteers