A new Working With Children Check for paid employees in child related employment will commence in New South Wales on 15th June 2013. Eventually, this same check will apply to volunteers in Scouting. The Commission for Children and Young People will phase in the WWC checks for volunteers over a planned timeframe. Scouts Australia NSW will advise its Members of the commencement date for this check when confirmed by the Commission.

What is a Working with Children Check?
Under the current system, NSW law requires that all applicants for child-related paid employment obtain a pre-employment check. A person who has been convicted or found guilty of a listed serious offence against children (whether in NSW or elsewhere) is prohibited from child-related employment.
The current check applies to paid employees only.
It is facilitated by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People.

What about volunteers?
Under the current system, volunteers who work with children must sign a Volunteer/Student Declaration.
For applicant Scout Leaders, the declaration can be located on the Scouts Australia NSW website and is called the "M5 Form" or "PED".
NSW law states that it is an offence for prohibited persons to apply for child-related employment in any capacity, whether paid or volunteering.

So what is the new check?
Under the new system, the same Working With Children Check will apply to everyone- both employees and volunteers.
Employees and volunteers will apply for their own check once every five years and they may not commence working/volunteering until they have received a clearance.
The check will produce one of two outcomes- a clearance or a bar. Individuals who receive a bar may not work or volunteer in a child-related role.

What does the check look for?
The check is different from the NSW Police Record Check, which Scouts Australia NSW has been conducting on applicant Leaders for decades. The Police Record Check obtains an applicant's criminal history in New South Wales.
The new Working With Children Check will obtain and assess an applicant's full federal criminal history, amongst other material.
If an applicant has no criminal history they will be cleared to work with children. Other applicants may be cleared to work with children after an assessment of their record.
Some offences may lead to a bar from working with children. Such offences include the murder or manslaughter of a child, intentional harm of a child, and any sexual offence committed against a child.
Everyone with a clearance will be continuously monitored for serious offences.

What is a bar?
If the check determines that the applicant presents a serious risk to children, they will be barred from working with children. The organisation they have applied to work/volunteer for cannot accept their application.

How much will it cost?
The new check will be free for volunteers and cost $80 for paid employees.

What does this mean for me as a Leader?
All applicant Leaders and current Leaders will be required to undertake this check.
The commencement date of 15th June 2013 applies to applicants for paid employment. From 15th June, individuals who are starting a new paid role in child-related work must apply for the check before starting their new role. Volunteers do not need to apply for the check straight away.
Volunteers and individuals currently working in paid child-related roles will be "phased in" over the next five years. Different industry sectors will be phased in at different times.
We will let you know about the phase in dates for Scouts Australia NSW volunteers when we're able to.

Will I need two clearances if I am a volunteer and an employee in child-related employment?
Individuals who have received a clearance in their capacity as an employed person will not also need to be cleared as a volunteer.
Individuals who have been cleared as a volunteer will need to apply for a separate check if they apply for child-related employment.

How will Scouts Australia NSW manage this change?
This is a big change for Scouts Australia NSW and we are creating an action plan for how we will implement the new system. We have been liaising with the Commission for their guidance on this.

When will we know more?
As Scouts Australia NSW is given further information about the new system, it will disseminate this information to Members, in order that all applicants, current Leaders and parents understand their responsibility under the new system.

Where can I find out more?
If you have questions about this new system feel free to direct them to Buffy Gilbert, Human Resources Advisor at State Office, on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People also provides more detailed information on their website: www.kids.nsw.gov.au.

Do you know someone who in their wildest dreams never thought they could attend a Jamboree?  The Lord Baden-Powell Society will be able to make that dream come true.  Motivated and exceptional Scouts will get the opportunity which is almost fully funded to attend this amazing Scout experience.  If you would like to apply for this funding opportunity, contact the Scouts Australia NSW State Office on 9735 9000 for an application form.  Applications close on Friday May 31, 2013.

Be part of the 5th Cuboree from January 6 – 10, 2014 and join 2500 Cubs and their Leaders in a fun and exciting experience. Applications & first payment for the Once Upon a Time Cuboree are due May 31 – so get in quick! Even if your Pack leaders can't make Cuboree you wont miss out , you can still come along and we will pair you up with another local Pack!

What is a Cuboree? A Cuboree is a state-wide event for Cub Scouts held every three years. Youth members and Leaders get involved in a series of fun and creative activities and bases that put into practice the skills the Youth Members have learned through Cubs. The participants leave with a new level of self-confidence and independence.

Where is it held? Cataract Scout Park in Appin NSW will host the 5th Cuboree.

What are the costs? The cost to attend the event is Cub Scouts $250.00 – Others $200.00 this cost is inclusive of everything including transport to and from the event from a central location. (Souvenirs are extra).
Cub Scouts are not the only members of the Scouting family who can get involved in this outstanding event!
All Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders are invited to apply!

Click here to apply to the Cuboree.

NSW Contingent Information and Eligibility

Cubs – Must be an Invested member of the Cub Scout Pack and be born on or after 10th January 2003. Must attend a Pre Cuboree Camp (Dates to be advised by your Region).

Scouts - Must be an invested Scout, have two (2) years service in the Scout Section and have attained their Red Cord. Must have completed a Scout Leadership Course. Must be recommended as suitable to attend by their Scout Leader, Group Leader, Regional Commissioner Scouts and the Cuboree Director.

Venturer Scouts – Must be a registered member of a Venturer Unit and hold the Venturing Skills Badge.
Recommended by their Venturer Unit, Venturer Leader, Group Leader, Regional Commissioner Venturer Scouts and the Cuboree Director as suitable to serve as a Service Leader.

Rovers - Registered members of a Rover Crew at least 18 years of age, but no older than 26 years, at 1st January 2014 will be accepted as Service Leaders.

Leaders - Must hold a Certificate of Adult Leadership.

Other Adults (Parent Helpers) - Must be willing to act in any role in which the Cuboree Director and/or the Cuboree Executive considers necessary. In addition, other adult members must complete an M2 - Check Consent Authority and an M5 - Prohibited Employment Declaration as well as read the Adult Code of Conduct and Two Deep Leadership Principles Leader Support Guides.

Click here to apply to the Cuboree

In honour of National Volunteer Week, Kathmandu is delighted to invite all Scouts and their families access to their corporate prices for purchases made during their Community Partners event.

This occurs between May 16^th and June 3^rd  2013.

The discount is up to 65% off their regular prices and applies to their full range.

Normally, Kathmandu would issue physical vouchers to present in their store, but this time Kathmandu is happy to accept a form of Scouting ID.

So, wear your scarf or uniform into your local Kathmandu store to receive the special rate.

All Kathmandu Stores are participating. 

Click here to download the flyer for more details, terms and conditions.

The annual Special Needs Conference is on Saturday 27 July (from 9.00am) - Sunday 28 July (to 2.30pm) at the Baden Powell Scout Centre, Pennant Hills.

This Conference is open to ALL adult Scouting and Guiding members. It will provide information and resources, and help develop skills to assist in delivering Scouting and Guiding to those with Special Needs (physical, intellectual, sensory disabilities, medical, developmental or behavioural issues, etc). Share in some great activities, fellowship, food and fun!

Cost: $120

Please apply on the standard training course application form (L1) available at http://nsw.scouts.com.au/leaders/scouts-nsw-forms; alternatively the form can be sent on request.

Basic details can be found in the 2013 Adult Training & Development Calendar (p.17)

For any further information or form requests, please contact Mark Burfield on 0425 236 617 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(For long-distance travellers, it is possible to stay overnight on Friday 26 July)

18 April 2013

The Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett and the Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today joined with leaders and members of the Whalan Scout Group to present a cheque for $35,000 on behalf of the NSW Government to be used to renovate the Scout Hall.

Mr Bassett said, “The Whalan Scout Group are a very pro-active community minded group that not only provide an avenue for children and young people to make friends and learn practical skills, but they also reach into the wider community.

The $35,000 funding is a vital boost of assistance to upgrade a hall that requires refurbishing and will be able to cater for a wide range of Scouting and community usages.
The funding has been provided under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program with $300,000 available this financial year for worthy community based projects in the Londonderry Electorate.

As the local MP I have been working closely with a number of groups across my electorate who like Whalan Scouts have put in a lot of volunteer hours and sweat equity to make our communities better places to live.

The Whalan Scouts are a fantastic local community based organisation and I know that the money will be put to good use and in addition local construction jobs and businesses will benefit from the activity as the renovation project is being undertaken”, said Mr Bassett

Minister for Youth, Victor Dominello said that “Scouts represent the best in youth and young leadership, and I congratulate Bart Bassett on the strong advocacy he has shown for Whalan Scouts in winning this grant which will go to important renovation works”

I am delighted the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced the roll out of 1235 community projects throughout the state as a part of $90 million allocated to the program over four years, Mr Dominello said.

Mr Bassett said “The NSW Government is getting on with the job of rebuilding the state by delivering the largest state infrastructure agenda in Australian history – worth some $61.8 billion over the next four years.

While the NSW Government is getting on with the job of delivering major infrastructure projects, like the $324 million dollar upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals and Westconnex, we understand important local community infrastructure benefits too.

“There was strong competition for the available funds and a high level of interest from the community with almost 2,500 applications received across the state in total.
“I look forward to seeing the benefits to our communities as projects are undertaken and more importantly put into use across the community”, Mr Bassett said

Media Information Bart Bassett: 0408 161 128

Below you will find further information for the upcoming 2014 NSW Cuboree. This includes information about Eligibility, How to Apply, Cost, Payments, Withdrawls, Transport etc.

Cuboree_2014_NSW_Contingent_Information.pdf