06 Aug Working With Children Checks: New Requirements for Construction Workers on School Sites

From 1 September 2026, construction workers attending NSW public school sites will be required to hold a valid paid NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC). The Department of Education is introducing these changes as part of strengthened contractor screening requirements designed to enhance child safety across school environments. For construction workers, this means that simply having your White Card and relevant site tickets may no longer be enough to access many education projects.

Working With Children Checks – Changes

If you’re carrying out construction, maintenance, repairs, fit-outs or other contracting work on an operating NSW public school site, you’ll need a valid paid NSW Working With Children Check before you’re permitted to enter site from 1 September 2026. The requirement applies to contractors regardless of trade or role.

There are limited exceptions for certain isolated construction sites where students cannot access the work area, such as fully separated new-build projects. However, if your work requires you to access an operational school site, a WWCC will generally be required.

Why You Should Apply For a WWCC Now

At HLH Group, we regularly supply workers to construction projects across Sydney, including education projects where this requirement will apply. We’re already seeing strong demand from clients delivering upgrades, maintenance works and construction within schools. Having your WWCC organised now means you’ll be ready to accept these opportunities without delays.

Waiting until you’re offered work could result in unnecessary downtime while your application is being processed.

How to Apply for a Working With Children Check

Applying for a paid NSW Working With Children Check is straightforward:

1. Complete the online application through the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian.
2. Attend a Service NSW Centre with your identification documents to finalise your application.
3. Once approved, your clearance is generally valid for five years and can be used across eligible employers.

Working With HLH Group

If you’re looking for ongoing construction work, keeping your tickets and licences current helps maximise your employment opportunities. Along with your White Card, having a current Working With Children Check will make you eligible for a wider range of projects across Sydney. If you’re already registered with HLH Group and obtain your WWCC, please send us your clearance details so we can update your profile and match you with suitable roles as they become available.

For workers who don’t yet have one, we strongly encourage applying now to ensure you’re ready for upcoming education projects and remain compliant with client requirements. For more information about current opportunities, give us a call now on +61 2 8985 2019 or contact us online.