Do Kids Party Entertainers Need a Working With Children Check?
By Isobel and the Fly By Fun team
Yes. In Australia, anyone who works with children, including party entertainers, generally needs a current Working With Children Check in the state where they work. In Queensland it’s called a Blue Card, and in the ACT it’s Working with Vulnerable People registration. Before you book, ask the entertainer or the company for the check number. Every Fly By Fun entertainer holds a current check in their state, parents can ask us for the number, and we carry $20 million public liability insurance with a certificate available on request.
What is a Working With Children Check?
A Working With Children Check is a screening that each state and territory runs for people who work or volunteer with children. It looks at a person’s criminal history and relevant records, and it has to be renewed every few years. A party entertainer spends the whole party leading a group of children, so it’s one of the first things to ask about.
What the check is called in each state
- New South Wales: Working With Children Check (WWCC)
- Victoria: Working with Children Check
- Queensland: Blue Card
- South Australia: Working with Children Check
- Western Australia: Working with Children Check (WWC Card)
- Australian Capital Territory: Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration
How to check your entertainer
Ask the entertainer or the company for the entertainer’s full name, check number and expiry date. A reputable company checks every entertainer’s card before they work with children and can confirm it for you. If a company can’t give you the number, book someone else.
Five questions to ask before you book a party entertainer
- Does every entertainer hold a current Working With Children Check (or Blue Card, or WWVP registration) in this state?
- Can I have the check number for the entertainer coming to my party?
- Do you have public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Do you need a parent or carer to stay with younger children?
- What does the entertainer bring, and what do I need to provide?
What Fly By Fun does
Fly By Fun has run more than 50,000 parties and events across Australia since 2008. Every entertainer holds a current Working With Children Check in their state (a Blue Card in Queensland), and parents can ask us for the check number. We carry $20 million public liability insurance, and we can send the certificate on request. We ask a parent or carer to stay with children under 5. Our entertainers bring the music, prizes, props and activity materials, and the host provides the space.
Planning a party for a toddler? Read our guide to entertainment for a 3-year-old’s birthday party, see all our parties, or ask for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids party entertainers need a Working With Children Check?
Generally, yes. In Australia, people who work with children usually need a current check in the state or territory where they work. It’s called a Blue Card in Queensland and Working with Vulnerable People registration in the ACT.
Can I ask to see my entertainer’s check number?
Absolutely. A reputable entertainment company will give you the number when you ask. Fly By Fun gives parents the check number on request.
What is a Blue Card?
Queensland’s name for the Working With Children Check. Every Fly By Fun entertainer working in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast holds one.
What is the check called in Canberra?
Canberra and the rest of the ACT use Working with Vulnerable People registration, often called WWVP.
Should a party entertainer have insurance?
Ideally, yes. Many venues ask for it, and it covers you if something goes wrong. Fly By Fun carries $20 million public liability insurance and can send a copy of the certificate on request.
Do parents need to stay at the party?
Parents or carers of children under 5 are asked to stay with them at the party. The entertainer runs the games and activities.
