What is Child-Related Work?
The Office of the Children’s Guardian considers child-related work (paid or unpaid) to consist of face-to-face contact with children (under the age of 18) in a Child-related sector or in a Child-related role.
SRE/Catechists and Those Involved in Parish Ministry
To register your details as a person involved in Parish Ministry (including SRE), particularly if you are required to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC), please enter your details here. Registration should only take place after your Parish Priest has met you and given approval for you to be active in a particular ministry. Once your WWCC has been verified your Parish and you yourself will receive an email from us advising that you may engage in your particular ministry, when there are children involved.
Those who are required to have a WWCC includes the following ministries:
- SRE Catechists
- sacramental coordinators
- altar server coordinators
- ministry to the sick and housebound (they may be entering houses where children are present)
- music ministry (if involved in a children’s choir or band)
- children’s liturgy leaders (unless they are exempt because their children attend)
- senior altar servers (who are over 18)
- acolyte
- youth ministry volunteers
- pre-ordination
- pre-seminarians
- sacramental preparation volunteers
- family pastoral care team members
For more information about the WWCC go here.
Ministry Registration Page
Register your details as a person involved in Parish Ministry (including SRE) here.
Visiting Clergy
All clergy (bishops, priests and deacons) from outside the Diocese who wish to provide a ministry and/or religious service in the Diocese of Bathurst are required to complete this form at least 14 days prior, and hence receive confirmation of clearance before any commencement.
Visiting Religious
Any Religious (sisters, nuns, monks, brothers and friars) from outside the Diocese who wish to provide a ministry and/or religious service in the Diocese of Bathurst are required to complete this form at least 14 days prior, and hence receive confirmation of clearance before any commencement.
Once reviewed you will receive an email confirming or declining your visit. The parish priest of the place you are visiting, and your church authority will also receive this information.
All records will be securely stored and recorded for future reference and auditing.
Parishes, schools or agencies with visiting clergy or religious must ensure that these procedures are followed and approval must be received before any event occurs.
What is a Working With Children Check (WWCC)?
A WWCC assesses the level of risk that a person may pose to children during the course of their child-related Work. WWCCs assess prior convictions, apprehended violence orders, charges, and relevant allegations or police investigations.
Who needs a WWCC?
A WWCC is only required for Workers in Child-Related Work. Under NSW Legislation, those who work in child-related roles and are over 18 years of age are required to hold a Working With Children Check (WWCC) that has been verified as cleared by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst. This includes those who work in a voluntary capacity.
This includes the following ministries:
- clergy and religious (who are in active ministry)
- seminarians
- SRE Catechists
- sacramental coordinators
- altar server coordinators
- ministry to the sick and housebound (they may be entering houses where children are present)
- music ministry (if involved in a children’s choir or band)
- children’s liturgy leaders (unless they are exempt because their children attend)
- senior altar servers (who are over 18)
- acolyte
- youth ministry volunteers
- pre-ordination
- pre-seminarians
- sacramental preparation volunteers
- family pastoral care team members
If you are unsure if you need a WWCC for your ministry, please contact standards@bathurst.catholic.org.au