There are some Blue Card changes coming up that may impact you fitness, sport or recreation organisation. These come into effect on 20 September 2025. You should click on the link for more information https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card/system/changes-to-the-blue-card-system
As a summary these changes include:
- new types of child-related work or services will require a blue card (Education services and activities conducted inside a school, entertainment and beauty, amusement parks)
- new and standardised exemptions (e.g. volunteer parents)
- new self-disclosure laws for applicants and card holders to tell us about any disclosable matters, such as child protection and domestic and family violence orders
- a simpler decision-making framework for issuing blue cards
- the ability to consult experts with specialist knowledge, skills or experience to help make a blue card decision
- a simpler disqualification framework
- broader abilities to immediately suspend a person’s blue card where they pose a risk to the safety of children
- stronger compliance responses to ensure organisations and individuals meet their obligations.
Specifically to our industry:
CHANGES TO EXISTING CATEGORIES:
Sport and active recreation, gyms and play facilities
From 20 September 2025, you will need a blue card if you work in or own or operate a business that provides services or activities for children as part of a sport, active recreation, gym or play facility. If you are currently working in a gym or play facility, you have six months, from 20 September 2025 to 20 March 2026, to apply for a blue card. Anyone commencing child-related work on or after 20 September 2025 must hold a blue card before they can start.
Churches, clubs and associations
From 20 September 2025, you will need a blue card if you provide services or conduct activities for children, or make decisions about children as part of an executive committee of a church, club or association.
Anyone who holds a position on a committee within a church, club or association involving child-related activities and does not already hold a blue card must stand down on 20 September 2025 and cannot resume until they hold a blue card.
Child accommodation services (INCLUDES CAMPS)
From 20 September 2025 you need a blue card if you own or operate a child accommodation service, or you work or volunteer to provide services to children in a child accommodation service.
Child accommodation services include:
- homestay providers
- exchange programs, e.g. international student exchange
- overnight camps or excursions, e.g. school camps
- youth shelters
If you are currently working for an overnight camp facility you have six months, from 20 September to 20 March 2026, to apply for a blue card.
Anyone commencing child-related work on or after 20 September 2025 must hold a blue card before they can start.
Visit blue cards for overnight camps for more information.
