People Banned from Working With Children in Other States Cannot Be Registered in the ACT

ACT People Banned from Working With Children in Other States Cannot Be Registered in the ACT

Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Amendment Bill 2025

15 Dec 2025: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

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Topics

background checks child protection child safety employment screening human rights professional licensing vulnerable people working with children

Introduced by: The Hon Suzanne Orr MLA (ALP) — Minister, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Minister for Seniors and Veterans

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

People cannot register to work with children if they have a negative notice or a cancelled registration from another Australian state or territory.

Applicants for registration to work with children must state in writing if they have ever received a negative notice or had their registration cancelled in another state or territory.

The commissioner can automatically cancel the registration of anyone who becomes ineligible under these rules.

Registered workers are banned from engaging in regulated activities involving children if they receive a negative notice or have their registration cancelled in another state or territory.

The commissioner can grant an exemption to let a person be registered despite a negative notice or cancellation from another state or territory if the commissioner is satisfied the original issue was for a non-corresponding or minor offence and banning the person would unreasonably limit their human rights.

The commissioner can order a person applying for an exemption to provide specific information; if the person does not comply, the commissioner can refuse the application.

The commissioner can issue a formal negative notice to people who are ineligible to register.

The commissioner must carry out a risk assessment and issue a negative notice if they find a person is no longer eligible to be registered to work with children.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Ed Cocks LIB

“I want to start by expressing the support of the Canberra Liberals for the principle behind this bill. This bill seeks to close an administrative loophole that creates potential dangers in childcare, education and disability services. It will bring the ACT into line with other jurisdictions and fulfil a federal agreement to implement these changes.”

Official source →

Shane Rattenbury GRN

“Following on from Mr Cocks, I am pleased to confirm that the Greens will also be supporting the Working with Vulnerable People PROOF P4089 4 December 2025 Legislative Assembly for the ACT (Background Checking) Amendment Bill 2025.”