The Attorney-General’s Department has announced that under its No Card, No Start policy for Blue Cards, applicants waiting to be approved from 31 August will have to continue waiting before beginning paid employment working with children and young people in Queensland.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath said the Blue Card system was used as a prevention and monitoring system for people working with children and young people and was aimed squarely at protecting Queensland kids from harm.
“Anyone who starts or continues in regulated employment without a Blue Card could face a five-year jail term in certain circumstances,” Ms D’Ath said.
“No Card, No Start further strengthens Queensland’s nation-leading Blue Card system, which will continue to deliver the strongest working-with-children protections in the country.”
She said No Card, No Start would bring paid employees into line with volunteers and business operators, preventing someone from employing a person in child-related roles unless the person held a clearance.
The Attorney-General said all existing Blue Card applicants would continue to be monitored daily as their applications were processed.
“Employers have a legal obligation to take measures to ensure the safety of children coming into contact with Blue Card applicants,” she said.
“No Card, No Start will raise the bar even higher in a sign of our determination to do everything possible to protect Queensland kids.”
