The Queensland Department of Education is committed to providing safe and supportive learning environments for children and young people receiving services and participating in activities, such as Community Language Schools (CLS).
In 2025,
changes to the blue card system were introduced to strengthen safeguards for children in Queensland.
To find out more about the blue card system, visit the
Blue Card Services.
General information
A blue card or exemption card is required for anyone engaged in
regulated child-related work or business in Queensland. Whether a person needs a blue card or exemption card will depend on the environment where the work is performed, the type of work performed and if an
exemption applies.
There are 18 categories of regulated employment and 15 categories of regulated business under the blue card system. A CLS may fall under more than 1 category but, in most cases, the ‘churches, clubs and associations’ category applies to CLS.
Individuals and organisations, including CLS, must be aware of their
rights and obligations under the blue card system.
Who is exempt from requiring a blue card in a CLS?
Blue card services provide information regarding when a
blue card is not required.
However, an exemption from requiring a blue card does not apply to a
restricted person. When relying on an exemption to work or volunteer with children, an employee or volunteer must confirm they are not a restricted person by completing the
restricted employment declaration form. This must be retained by the CLS.
Parent volunteers offering occasional support in the classroom generally
do not need a blue card if volunteering for activities their own child is participating in, however, parent volunteers
do need a blue card if:
- the activity is an overnight camp or excursion
- the service or activity includes close personal contact with a child, such as bathing, toileting or dressing
- volunteering for activities their own child is not directly participating in.
Other relatives (such as grandparents and uncles and aunts) are not considered parents and are not afforded the volunteer parent exemption.
Further, anyone (including parent volunteers) who holds a position on a CLS
executive committee will need a blue card.
Teachers working within their professional capacity must hold registration as a teacher with the Queensland College of Teachers at all times during their employment for the purpose of satisfying the exemption requirements of the Act. In addition,
teachers engaged by a CLS require an
exemption card as the service does not form part of the
schools or
boarding school facilities categories of employment.
CLS responsibilities
Child safe organisation requirements
The
Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) commenced in stages from 1 October 2025. From 1 April 2026, all CLS must implement and comply with the
10 Child Safe Standards and the
Universal Principle.
The
Reportable Conduct Scheme commenced on 1 July 2026. A scheme under the
Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) requiring organisations with a high degree of responsibility for children to notify the
Queensland Family and Child Commission when allegations or convictions involving a
constitute reportable conduct—worker. CLS that are reporting entities must meet the Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements. To see the full list of reporting entities throughout Queensland, visit the who does the scheme apply to page.
Blue card requirements
Each CLS is responsible for all employees and volunteers working with children and managing the blue card obligations for the CLS.
Queensland Department of Education is not the employer.
Each CLS must validate the blue cards for all administrators, volunteers and instructors before classes start in February each year. Blue cards can be validated using the
blue card services online validation tool.
Each CLS must immediately advise blue card services when an employee or volunteer commences work with the CLS by submitting a
paper link form to blue card services or updating your organisations
blue card services organisation portal.
Each CLS has an obligation to ensure that all employees and volunteers have a valid blue card or exemption card, unless otherwise
not required. A blue card or exemption card can be renewed 16 weeks prior to its expiry date. If an employee or volunteer’s blue card expires, the CLS must ensure the employee or volunteer does not continue to work or volunteer with children until they obtain a valid blue card or exemption card. A blue card can only be renewed before it expires. If the blue card or exemption card expires, the card holder must apply for a new card.
Each CLS is required to maintain a blue card register. The
blue card register must include all workers, including instructors, volunteers and administrators. When completing the blue card register, each CLS is to record the names of workers (including volunteer/s) who are not required to hold a blue card and the reason why they are exempt.
It is an offence for an employer (i.e. CLS) to employ or continue to employ a restricted person in restricted employment if they know (or should reasonably know) that they are a
restricted person.
Useful links