Blue cards for entertainment, beauty and photography
You need a blue card if you provide services to children that include:
- entertainment or party services
- providing services to children as part of a beauty or talent program
- providing photography services to children (e.g. newborn photo shoots).
Workers and volunteers
You need a blue card if you provide entertainment or party services, photography services, or beauty services, or operate a beauty or talent program, and if the usual functions of employment or business include:
- providing services directed mainly towards children
or
- conducting activities mainly involving children.
You do not need a blue card if your duties are limited to providing food, beverages or equipment and there is no further contact with children.
Examples
A blue card is needed for:
- face painters at children’s parties
- professional photographers taking photos of newborns or at children’s sporting events
- makeup artists or hairdressers working at children's beauty pageants
- costumed entertainers (e.g. Bluey, Batman, Elsa, etc.), including at amusement parks
- Santa and his helpers taking photos with children
- singing and dancing entertainers performing for children (e.g. the Wiggles).
- DJs at school formals
A blue card is not needed for:
- staff who provide lighting, sound or any other equipment as part of an entertainment service to children
- catering staff at a child’s birthday party
- wedding photographers
- makeup artists or hairdressers at a public salon.
Business owners and operators
You need a blue card if your business provides entertainment or party services, photography services or beauty services, or operates a beauty or talent program, and if the usual activities include:
- providing services directed mainly towards children
or
- conducting activities mainly involving children.
You do not need a blue card if your business activities are limited to providing food, beverages or equipment and there is no further contact with children.
Examples
A blue card is needed for a business owner or operator:
- providing costume entertainment services to children’s birthdays.
- taking newborn photos.
- operating children’s beauty or talent programs.
A blue card is not needed for a business owners or operator:
- running a wedding photography business
- providing lighting or equipment at a children’s show.
Transitional requirements
If you are already providing these services (other than at an amusement park), you have 6 months from 20 September 2025 to apply for a blue card. If you are already working in an amusement park, you have 12 months from 20 September 2025 to apply. Anyone commencing child-related work on or after 20 September 2025 must hold a blue card before they can start.
Learn more about transitional requirements.
More information
- Changes to the blue card system
- Executive officers and board or committee members of a regulated child-related organisation require a blue card
- Understand linking requirements for organisations
- Check when you don’t need a blue card
- Who cannot apply for or hold a blue card
- Learn how to apply for a blue or exemption card