Blue Card Policy
Adopted 11 November 2019
The Gap State High School P&C aligns with the Queensland State Government Policy for Working with Children.
The Gap State High School P&C requests all staff, and those volunteers who do not have children at the school, to hold a valid Blue Card. This requirement meets the Qld State Government Policy for Working with Children and the P&Cs Queensland requirements.
All staff and volunteers must submit valid Blue Cards to the P&C for registration before work can be carried out.
The Gap State High School P&C will reimburse the cost of the Blue Card, or its renewal, to employees only who are employed for a minimum of 12 hours per week, averaged over 4 consecutive working weeks.
The Gap State High School P&C will not pay for Blue Cards for people who are volunteers at The Gap State High School. Volunteer Blue Cards are currently provided at no cost from the Qld State Government. If you hold a current Blue Card from an employer, you must submit this Blue Card and the linking form for registration.
The convenor must notify the P&C Office if an employee is no longer active, so the Blue Card register can be updated to remove that person.
Blue card fact sheet: questions
Do parent volunteers need a blue card?
No. A parent volunteering at their own child’s school does not need a blue card, whether they are an ordinary member or an executive officer of the P&C.
Who does need one?
A volunteer who is not a parent of a child at the school needs a blue card, applied for under the “Schools – employees other than teachers and parents” category. Approved teachers do not need one.
What if a P&C runs outside school hours care (OSHC)?
Then the rules are stricter: executive officers need a blue card business application (or an exemption card, for approved teachers), non-parent volunteers need a card, and the executive must make sure OSHC staff and volunteers are screened and that child and youth risk management strategies are in place.
When can I start volunteering?
If you need a blue card, you must hold a valid one before you start any child-related work.
How do I renew my card?
Volunteers should apply for a new card at least 30 days before their current one expires. Your current card is then treated as current even if it expires before the new one arrives.
Where can I get more help?
Blue Card Services: 1800 113 611 or 07 3211 6999, or qld.gov.au/bluecard.
From the Blue Card Services factsheet for P&Cs (PDF).