Blue cards for health, counselling and support services

From 20 September 2025, this category will have some changes. Read about the upcoming changes to the blue card system.

You will need a blue card if you are a person or business providing a health, counselling, or support services to children.

Employees and volunteers

If you are employed to provide a health, counselling, or support service to children you will need a blue card.

A blue card is needed for a person providing the following:

at a children’s health facility, such as at a children’s hospital, child health clinic or paediatric ward
that requires physical contact with the child, such as a massage therapist, acupuncturist or first aid officer
while physically present with the child while no one else is present.

Private ambulance services who is not a registered health practitioner.
Services as student enrolled in a tertiary course—including certificate, TAFE and university courses—and need to do a practical placement involving children.
Speech pathology to children.
Respite care to children.

A counselling or support service to a child:

Providing emotional support for child witnesses as part of court proceedings.
A lawyer providing one-on-one legal advice to a child as part of a court proceeding.
Services as student enrolled in a tertiary course—including certificate, TAFE and university courses—and need to do a practical placement involving children.

A blue card is not needed for:

A person doing general work at any hospital. For example, a cleaner or maintenance worker.
A registered health practitioner working in your professional capacity. For example a doctor, nurse, midwife, paramedic, psychologist or dentist.
An registered teacher working within the school in your professional capacity as a teacher.
A person providing services as part of your employment with a licensed care service.
A parent volunteering in their own child’s activities.
A person only providing health or counselling support to adults.

You will need a blue card if your business provides:

a health service that requires physical contact with a child or that is provided while nobody else is physically present
a counselling or support if you are physically present with the child, while no one else is present or not physically present, such as over the phone or online.

A blue card is needed if your business provides these services:

Respite care to children.
Counselling or support services to children either in person one-on-one, over the phone or online. Such as running a mental health program for young people.
legal services or advice to children to support them with court matters either over the phone or online.
Massage, acupuncture, hypnosis or other natural or alternative medicines to children on a regular basis.
Health services to children, including dressing, bathing, or moving an ill or injured child from place to place.