The Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 (the WWVP Act) aims to reduce the risk of harm or neglect to vulnerable people* in the ACT.
The WWVP Act requires those who work or volunteer with vulnerable people to have a background check and be registered.
As a Justice of the Peace, you are not required to register simply because you are a JP. The need for registration is effected by how often you provide services to vulnerable people as well as whether the contact is incidental.
WWVP registration is required where
- contact with vulnerable people would be reasonably expected as part of the activity and is not incidental to the activity, and
- contact with vulnerable people occurs more than 3 days in any 4-week period or 7 days in any 12-month period.
If you think your circumstances as a JP require registration under the WWVP Act, you should contact Access Canberra on 6207 6444, or email jp@act.gov.au.
For information on Working With Vulnerable People registration refer to Access Canberra’s Working with vulnerable people (WWVP) registration page.
* A person is defined as being vulnerable if they are a child under the age of 18 years or an adult who is experiencing disadvantage and accesses a regulated activity or service related to the disadvantage.