Criminal History Checks (CHC)

Criminal history checks (CHC) are not compulsory for non-government recreational and sporting organisations except under certain circumstances.  However CHC can be a deterrent to a small number of convicted offenders who are clearly not suitable to work with or around children.

Volunteer Organisation Agency Numbers (VOAN)

Organisations choosing to conduct CHC may register through the VOAN system, which provides access to CHC for volunteers free of charge as part of their screening process.

This process is managed by the SA Police.

For information concerning the VOAN process, how to register for a VOAN. how to apply for a CHC click here to go to SA Police website Link to National Police Certificates

Screening and Licensing Branch

The department for Families and Communities has a Screening and Licensing Branch who will undertake a CHC for your organisation and provide a recommendation as to the suitability or otherwise of a person to act in a specific role within the organisation.

This service is additional to the VOAN and a small fee applies for each check conducted.

The Screening and Licensing Branch will also assist the recreation and sport industry better understand the information detailed on the CHC (accessed through the VOAN system) should there be some uncertainty about the information contained in it.

Further information on the Screening and Licensing Branch and how to access this service can be obtained by clicking here (148kb)

Conducting Criminal History Checks - Regulations

New regulations cover how information obtained through CHC must be used by an organisation.  To obtain a copy of “Child Safe Environments: Dealing with information obtained about the criminal history of employees and volunteers who work with children”, standards issued by the Chief Executive, Department for Families and Communities.

Click here to go to the DFC website

For more information
Senior Project Officer

Safe Supportive Environments
Office for Recreation and Sport
Phone: +61 8 7424 7622

Email: participation@saugov.sa.gov.au