Defence’s involvement with young people occurs in a broad spectrum of settings, ranging from offering unique developmental experiences in Australia, to delivering aid to vulnerable youth overseas in emergencies.
Defence has policies and practices to minimise the risk of youth with whom it engages being exposed to any persons who might pose a risk to them. This includes paid or unpaid workers, in Australia or overseas.
Working With Children Checks (WWCC)
All Officers or Instructors of Cadets working with youth in the ADF Cadets are required to comply with the relevant State or Territory Working With Children Check (WWCC) or police check prior to their appointment. This meets the recognised national requirements for working with youth.
The Selection and Promotion Policy requires all ADF Officers and Instructors of Cadets be accepted under the Cadet Force Regulations 2013 to:
- comply with the relevant State or Territory Working With Children Check (WWCC) or police check prior to their appointment;
- undergo assessment to confirm their suitability to work with youth;
- be assessed as suitable by an experienced selection panel.
Police checks
Navy and Army personnel must also undergo a confirmatory police check prior to being appointed as an Officer or Instructor.
Full-time RAAF members who become an Officer or Instructor of Cadets undertake a police check on enlistment which is verified prior their appointment as an Officers or Instructors of Cadets.
Compliance with State or Territory Child Protection legislation
ADF personnel who work with the ADF Cadets must comply with the relevant State or Territory Child Protection legislation, including WWCC, applicable to their level of responsibility and contact with youth.
For information regarding the pre-employing screening, see the Australian Institute of Family Studies Working With Children Checks.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Defence’s policies and practices reflect Australia’s obligations as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including its Optional Protocols on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
Important!
All complaints of sexual offending or of abuse of ANC personnel under the age of 18 (minors / children) must be referred immediately to the appropriate State or Territory Police Service.
Cadet protection policy
Defence’s engagement with youth occurs within a broad spectrum of programs and includes the provision of unique developmental experiences in safe and supportive environments for young people within Australia and overseas.
Defence has a duty of care to protect all youth from foreseeable harm. Defence requires all personnel working directly with youth to complete all legislated State or Territory child protection requirements prior to assuming supervision of young people participating in Defence youth programs.