1.1.C.15 Certificate (ACCS (child wellbeing))

Definition

An ACCS (child wellbeing) certificate is the process in which an approved provider (1.1.A.90) certifies to the Secretary that they consider that a child is or was at risk (1.1.A.110) of serious abuse or neglect on a day (at risk day).

The certificate is given by the approved provider for a particular approved child care service, allowing that service to access ACCS (child wellbeing) for a maximum of 6 weeks, within each 12-month period. The certificate is valid for all enrolments (1.1.E.25) of the child at that service.

A certificate is given for full weeks and must start on a Monday and end on a Sunday. Every week the certificate is in effect for needs to include at least one day where a child meets the definition of ‘at risk of serious abuse or neglect’.

Certificates can generally be backdated up to 28 days, and up to 13 weeks in exceptional circumstances (2.8.1.70). The approved provider must ensure it meets the ‘giving notice’ (1.1.G.13) requirements.

In order to continue to receive ACCS (child wellbeing) once the service has accessed 6 weeks of certificate/s, the approved provider will need to apply to Services Australia for ACCS (child wellbeing) determinations (1.1.D.78) if the child continues to be ‘at risk’.

If the child is still attending the service and continues to be at risk after 12 months (1.1.T.51), the approved provider will need to give a new 6-week certificate, before continuing to apply for ACCS (child wellbeing) determinations as required.