Blue Cards

***This information is only relevant to School of Education students.***

Please refer to your own school/faculty on how to apply for a blue card if you are studying any program other than a Bachelor of Education (dual Secondary/ Primary) or Masters of Teaching (Secondary/Primary).

To work or volunteer with children in Queensland, you need to have a valid Blue Card. You will also need a Blue Card if you are a student enrolled in a tertiary course (including certificate, TAFE and university courses) and need to do a practical placement.

It is a legal requirement that you hold a valid Blue Card for all courses within your Education program that have a Professional Experience component in Queensland schools. Students that do not hold a valid blue card for the duration of their professional experience are not permitted to attend placement.

You must have your Blue Card on you at all times during your professional experience, as Schools will request to see your Blue Card.

Further information can be found by clicking this link: Queensland Government - Blue Card services

Apply for/renew your blue card

You are now able to apply for/renew your blue card online. Please follow the following instructions outlined under 'How to apply for a blue or exemption card' at the Blue Card Services page.

**NOTE: You cannot apply for a blue card if you are a disqualified person.

Ensure you have a customer reference number (CRN) from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (ie licence number)
Register for an online account to verify you identity, provide a photo for your blue card, and access the online application portal
Apply for a volunteer/student blue card via the Blue Card Services online application portal. Do not attempt to apply for a paid card.
You will reach a point in the portal application where it provides you with an account number. You must email this number to the School of Education at education@uq.edu.au via your UQ student email to have your application approved by the School of Education. You will be advised once this approval is complete and can then finalise your application in the Blue Card Services online application portal.
You will be notified by Blue Card Services via email when your application is successful and will be sent your physical blue card.

IMPORTANT: You must have a CRN from the Department of Transport Main Roads to be able to register for an online account then apply for your blue card. CRN numbers most commonly appear on government issued ID's (ie licence). For further information on CRN's and how to obtain one see 'Prove your identity' at the Blue Card services page.

You can apply for a Blue Card using a paper based application form. You will still require a CRN number and will need to have a copy certified by an authorised person to apply. Please see 'Submit a paper application' at the Blue Card Services page.

It can take a number of weeks from commencing the blue card application process to when you are issued with your physical blue card. For first time applicants we recommend applying as soon as you commence your program. For existing card holders we recommend applying immediately upon receiving 16 week expiry notification from Blue Card Services or receive renewal notifaction for the School of Education.

Already have a Blue Card through another organisation

If you already have obtained a blue card through another organisation (ie sports club, tutoring, or volunteer work), in order for your current Blue Card to be valid, it needs to be linked to the School of Education.

To link your blue card simply email education@uq.edu.au your blue card number and expiry date from your UQ student email account. You do not need to link your blue card if you applied for your blue card through the UQ School of Education.

Once your blue card is successfully linked you will be notified.

Each time you renew your blue card with an external organisation you must link it with the School of Education for it to be valid to attend placement.

Lost Blue Card

Apply for CRN Remotely

International, interstate students or students from remote areas no longer need to wait until they arrived in Queensland to apply for their Customer Reference Number (CRN) and get a photo from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)

Whether a person is applying for a CRN from overseas, interstate or from a remote area of Queensland, they can now complete a 'Remote Pack' available at the Blue Card Services page.

Please refer to the step by step guide on how to complete the 'Remote Pack'.