The National Vetting Bureau Act (Children and Vulnerable Adults) 2012 to 2016

The National Vetting Bureau Act (Children and Vulnerable Adults) 2012 to 2016 sets out the circumstances that require vetting as:

Any work or activity which is carried out by a person, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children and/or vulnerable adults.

The Act also requires vetting in respect of any work or activity as a minister or priest or any other person engaged in the advancement of religious beliefs, to children and vulnerable adults, unless such work or activity is merely incidental to the advancement of religious beliefs to persons who are not children or young people or vulnerable adults.

A person is also required to be vetted if their ministry, work or activity is deemed relevant to children or young people or vulnerable adults. Relevant work includes the provision of training, education, treatment, supervision, therapy, counselling, transporting or conveying, giving advice or guidance, cultural, recreational, leisure, social or physical activities.

Interpreting the Act for the Church Context

From the sections of the Act cited above, persons requiring vetting fall into three main categories. It should be noted that anyone who is 18 or over and has any contact with children or young people or vulnerable adults which is more than incidental as part of their ministry must be vetted (see also Note 1 below).

Category 1: A person must be vetted if they are a minister, priest or other who engages in the advancement of religious beliefs to children or young people and vulnerable adults.

Category 2: A person must be vetted if he/she has necessary and regular contact with children or young people or vulnerable adults through his/her ministry, work or activity in a diocese, parish, school, or diocesan agency, or an agency of the Order.