From this week, it will be harder for some people to gain a Working With Children Check (WWCC), the tool used by government to indicate that a person is suitable to work with children in either a paid or volunteer role.

The decision comes after several high-profile child abuse cases have gripped the media in recent weeks.

Concerned parents, guardians and child advocates across the country called for stronger protections in the wake of several horrific cases and, while this new legislation will close some loopholes, advocates are still calling for a synchronised system across the nation.

At the moment, people with convictions can appeal a WWCC refusal through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

The NSW government's reforms will make sure only the Office of the Children’s Guardian will be responsible for reviewing these decisions.

This means people who have been denied a WWCC will no longer be able to appeal through other pathways like the NCAT.

General Manager for Bourke and District Children’s Services Prue Ritchie said it was a positive step for children's safety.

"Anything that improves safety of kids is a good thing in our communities," she said.

"Whatever governments can do to strengthen the safety of children must be done."

However, she added that greater nationalisation of the industry is required in order to ensure the safety of children.

"There has to be more national approach around harmonising systems, in the way that incidents are reported and checks are verified nationally." 

General Manager for Bourke and District Children’s Services Prue Ritchie [IMAGE: ABC Western Plains].

At the moment, working with children checks vary between states and territories.

For example, checks are valid for five years in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and the Australia Capital Territory, but for only three years in Queensland and Western Australia, and only two years in the Northern Territory.

Several key players have also backed the call for a standard nation approach to the checks.

Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare said reforms to standardise checks nationally "can't happen soon enough."

Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare says a nationally standard working with children system is needed. [IMAGE: NSW Labor]

The NSW Government is also leading calls at National Cabinet for a searchable national register of WWCC holders, which would display a person's history across states and territories.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the reforms were about prioritising children's safety.

“Keeping children safe — whether they’re in a classroom, an early learning centre or the care of adults in any setting must be a national priority," he said.

“These reforms send a clear message that the safety of children comes first.”

Ms Ritchie says it all comes down to safety and the quality of services at the end of the day.

"Governments need to focus on where investments are best directed to improve quality and safety outcomes for our children," she said.

"We need to incentive quality and the safety of children over profit."