AUSTSWIM to demand Working With Children Checks

AUSTSWIM, Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety, is to make Working with Children Check (WWCC) requirements essential for course candidates, aqua instructors and teachers renewing their licenses from 1st July this year.

In the wake of Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, AUSTSWIM has issued a statement where it explains “the protection of children is paramount; safety from danger, hazards and risk is the essence of swimming and water safety education.

“So too is protection from abuse and harm (and) it’s with this focus that AUSTSWIM announces the introduction of Working with Children Check (WWCC) requirements for staff, course presenters and candidates, licensed teachers and aqua instructors.

“Child protection is about keeping children safe from harm and/or abuse.

“AUSTSWIM provides an open, welcoming and safe environment in training, professional development and industry services.

“Our trained professionals take their place in the aquatic industry as teachers and aqua instructors imparting knowledge, skill and understanding.

“A WWCC is a vital element to the quality of these professionals.”

The organisation also advises that “AUSTSWIM licenses and insurance cover are deemed invalid in instances where currency of WWCC and CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) has lapsed.​”

AUSTSWIM also highlights that Australia has no single national framework for obtaining WWCC, with each state and territory having its own process, procedures and requirements for attesting to the suitablility of an invididual to work with children.

It adds “it is imperative staff, course presenters course candidates and licensed teachers hold current WWCC requirements for their specific State or Territory.”

WWCC laws aim to prevent people who pose a risk from working with children as paid employees or volunteers making an assessment of the level of risk an individual poses to children's safety.

Click here for more information on WWCC requirements in Australia’s states or territories.

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