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Blue cards for existing carers and their adult household members

All foster and kinship carers and their adult household members are required to hold a blue card, issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). Blue cards remain current for two years; renewal must be lodged at a child safety service centre three months prior to the card's expiry date.

Please be aware of the changed legislation on lodging blue card forms. You will be disqualified from applying for, or renewing a blue card if any of the following apply:

  • you have been convicted of a disqualifying offence (including a child-related sex or pornography offence, or the murder of a child)
  • you are a reportable offender with current reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004
  • you are subject to a child protection offender prohibition order
  • you are subject to a disqualification order prohibiting them from applying for or holding a blue card.

For further information, refer to the 'Disqualification from applying or holding a blue card' information sheet on the CCYPCG website.

If you are an existing carer or an adult member of a carer household, the following information will explain how to keep your blue card current. If you are interested in becoming a carer and want further information about blue cards, refer to Blue cards for carers.

Select the situation relevant to you:

I need a blue card

Blue card application

For who?
Carers and adult members of a carer household who do not have (and never had) a blue card.
What to do?
Visit your child safety service centre to complete a blue card application form. If you live more than 50 km from your child safety service centre or have a disability affecting you mobility, you can apply via mail.
What do I need?
You will need to bring two forms of identification. Together the identification documents must show your:
  • full current name
  • date of birth
  • signature.
If you cannot satisfy the identification requirements, you can apply for consideration for alternative identification.

I have a household member that just turned 18, or a new adult household member who needs a blue card

Blue card application

For who?
Carers with a new adult member in their household who do not have (and never had) a blue card.
What to do?
Visit your child safety service centre with your new adult household member to complete a blue card application form. If you live more than 50 km from your child safety service centre or have a disability affecting you mobility, you can apply via mail.
What do I need?
Your new adult household member will need to bring two forms of identification. Together the identification documents must show their:
  • full current name
  • date of birth
  • signature.
If they cannot satisfy the identification requirements, they can apply for consideration for alternative identification.

My blue card is about to expire or has expired

Blue card renewal

For who?
Carers and adult members of carer a household whose blue card has expired or is about to expire.
What to do?
Visit your child safety service centre to complete a blue card renewal form. If you live more than 50 km from your child safety service centre or have a disability affecting you mobility, you can apply via mail.
What do I need?
You will need to bring your blue card and two forms of identification. Together the identification documents must show:
  • full current name
  • date of birth
  • signature.
If you cannot satisfy the identification requirements, you can apply for consideration for alternative identification.

I have a blue card for other purposes and need it to be validated by the department

Blue card authorisation

For who?
Carers and adult members of a carer household who currently hold a blue card for an employer other than the Department of Child Safety or for voluntary work involving working with children.
What to do?
You will need to complete an authorisation form so that your blue card can be validated and your connection with the department can be recorded by the CCYPCG.

I live more than 50 km from my child safety service centre, or I have a disability affecting my mobility

Blue card application/renewal

For who?
Carers and adult members of a carer household applying for, or renewing a blue card who live more than 50 km away from their nearest child safety service centre, or have a disability affecting their mobility.
What to do?
You will need to complete an application or renewal form and mail it to your child safety service centre. If you cannot satisfy the identification requirements, you can apply for consideration for alternative identification.
Who is considered an authorised person?
An authorised person is a:
  • justice of the peace
  • commissioner for declarations
  • lawyer
  • police officer.

I cannot satisfy the identification requirements

Alternative identification

For who?
Carers and adult members of a carer household applying for, or renewing a blue card who cannot satisfy the identification requirements.
What to do?
You will need to complete an alternative identification request and have those documents sighted by an authorised person.
  • Download the following form from the CCYPCG website:
  • Complete Parts A, B, C and D of the form.
  • Take the form to an authorised person to sight the identification documents and to complete Part E of the form.
  • Attach the form to the blue card application or renewal form before returning it to your child safety service centre.
For further information, refer to the 'How to meet the identification requirements' information sheet on the CCYPCG website.
Who is considered an authorised person?
An authorised person is a:
  • Department of Child Safety representative
or, if you live 50 km or more from your child safety service centre, or have a disability affecting your mobility, a:
  • justice of the peace
  • commissioner for declarations
  • lawyer
  • police officer.

Other situations and further information

For further information about applying for, or renewing a blue card, contact your child safety service centre.

For general information about the blue card, or to discuss your criminal history or application, contact the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.

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Last updated
7 September 2009

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