Licence Application form for the Clergy Safe Ministry Screening and Ministry Clearance Requirements
Everyone involved in ministry has a responsibility to help create safe and welcoming communities.
Safe Ministry Training must be undertaken for all church workers. It is to be refreshed every 3 years.
Bishop’s Licences and Authorities
Clergy and lay people seeking a Bishop’s Licence or Authority as well as people entering the Diocesan Year of Discernment can find the appropriate forms on the Parish Portal or in the guides below.
Licence Review
Most licences and authorities no longer have an expiry date. Licences are reviewed as required or every 3 years to ensure the screening requirements are current. You may be contacted by the Diocesan Office to confirm the outcome of this review. Please attend to the requirements as advised
Application process
Before you begin serving in a ministry role, there are several mandatory steps you need to take.
The steps are outlined in the below guides.
Clergy or those applying for a Licence/Authority
| 1 | Licence Application | Complete Licence Application form |
| 2 | Safe Ministry Training | * Child Safe eLearning – Keeping children safe in organisations (all 11 modules). * Child Safe Sport (Module 1) Refresher course ocg.nsw.gov.au/training-and-resources/elearning Following completion, you will receive an email from the OCG. Use this to record completion in Litmos. |
| 3 | Nationally Co-Ordinated Criminal History Check | * Crimcheck for Newcastle Anglican applicants here: portal.crimcheck.org.au/check/newcastleanglican * Alternatively, a check can be obtained through other agencies at a cost and a certified copy of the original document may need to be provided. |
| 4 | Working With Children Check | * To apply: wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/apply * To renew: wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Renew |
| 5 | Safe Ministry Check Form | Complete General Synod Safe Ministry Check form for Ordained Ministry or appointment as a Paid Licensed or Authorised Church Worker. |
| 6 | Application submission | All completed forms are to be submitted to the Diocesan Office for review either by Email: [email protected] or Post: Newcastle Anglican 87 Toronto Road Booragul NSW 2284 |
| 7 | Faithfulness in Service | If application is successful, you will gain access to Litmos, our e-learning program, where you will complete Faithfulness in Service e-Learning course and any other required courses. |
Voluntary Church Worker (18 years and over)
| 1 | Review Volunteers and Other Church Workers Policy | Review Volunteer and Other Church Workers Policy |
| 2 | Safe Ministry Training | * Child Safe Sport (Module 1) Refresher course ocg.nsw.gov.au/training-and-resources/elearning * Following completion, you will receive an email from the OCG. Forward this confirmation to your parish. |
| 3 | Nationally Co-Ordinated Criminal History Check | * Crimcheck for Newcastle Anglican applicants here: portal.crimcheck.org.au/check/newcastleanglican * Alternatively, a check can be obtained through other agencies at a cost and a certified copy of the original document may need to be provided. |
| 4 | Working With Children Check | * To apply: wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/apply * To renew: wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Renew |
| 5 | Engagement form | Complete Engagement form |
| 6 | Volunteer Agreement | Complete Volunteer Agreement form |
| 7 | Safe Ministry Check Form | Complete General Synod Safe Ministry Check form **Only for Category 3 volunteers aged over 18 |
| 8 | Duty Statement | Work with your parish to complete a Duty Statement. |
| 9 | Application submission | All completed forms are to be submitted to the parish for review. |
| 10 | Faithfulness in Service | If application is successful, you will gain access to Litmos, our e-learning program, where you will complete Faithfulness in Service e-Learning course and any other required courses. |
Voluntary Church Worker (13 to 17 years)
| 1 | Review Volunteers and Other Church Workers Policy | Review Volunteer and Other Church Workers Policy |
| 2 | Engagement Form | Complete Engagement form |
| 3 | Volunteer Agreement | Complete Volunteer Agreement |
| 4 | Safe Ministry Check Form | Complete General Synod Safe Ministry Check form **Only for Category 3 volunteers aged 13-17 |
| 5 | Duty Statement | Work with your parish to complete a Duty Statement. |
| 6 | Application submission | All completed forms are to be submitted to the parish for review. |
Information on Categories
Category 1 – Not classified as a Church Worker. Example of roles include someone undertaking gardening, flower arranging or cleaning at the parish, when Children/vulnerable people are NOT on site.
Category 2a – Classified as a Church Worker. Example of roles include: a worker in an Opportunity shop, a member of a choir or music group (in which there are children or vulnerable people) or person who regularly robes as a server in a church service, a bible study group leader where there are no Children or vulnerable people present, and a church musician including an organist or pianist.
Category 2b – Classified as a Church Worker. Example of roles include someone who holds office as a Synod Representative, Incumbency Appointment Board member, a Churchwarden, a Parish Councillor or Resource Team member, a Parish Council Secretary, or a Parish Council Treasurer.
Category 3a – Classified as a Church Worker. Example of roles include: a worker in the Parish Pantry who assists with Mission work such as OzHarvest donations, a Community Meal Volunteer or Pastoral Care Visitor who is not licensed.
Category 3b – Classified as a Church Worker. Example of roles include Family/Youth/Children’s group team member; a Director or coordinator of music; a member of a choir or other music group in which Children or youth are regular or occasional members; Persons conducting or supporting the conduct of Sunday school or other educational programmes; Home visit leader or coordinator; A coordinator or worker in church activity involving direct engagement with people including a coordinator in an Opportunity Shop or a Church Cafe. A lay person authorised by the Incumbent of a Parish to assist in the leadership of public worship, to educate or nurture people within the Christian faith, or to offer people direct pastoral care and support.
Category 3c – Example of roles include: a member of the clergy (a deacon, a priest or a bishop) who is not in receipt of remuneration; a lay person holding a licence or authority from the Bishop to undertake ministry; a person involved in direct ministry to Children including Family/Youth/Children’s group leader or co-ordinator.
Category 3d – Example of roles include: a member of the clergy (a deacon, a priest, or a bishop) who is not in receipt of remuneration.
Category 3e – Classified as a Church Worker. Special Religious Educator (SRE).
Retired Clergy in Good Standing
The Diocese will maintain and publish a list of clergy who have retired, do not seek a licence or permission for ministry, and remain in good standing. The Bishop no longer issues a limited permission to officiate to clergy aged over 80 years.
