Summary: How you train and screen volunteers under 18 is up to your church, though your insurer or denomination may have requirements. Safe Ministry Check requires everyone to complete training to be cleared, and uses each person's date of birth to work out whether they need a Working With Children Check (WWCC) in their state.
Training
Some safe ministry content may be new or confronting for people under 18. Consider:
Involving parents or guardians in decisions about whether and how their child completes training.
Asking parents to complete the training first, so they can decide whether it's appropriate.
Having parents complete the training with their child, so they can talk through anything confronting.
Note: All members of your organisation must complete training to be considered cleared in Safe Ministry Check.
Screening
Screening young people you've watched grow up in your church can feel unusual, but it shows everyone, including young volunteers, that you take safety, and their safety, seriously.
In most states, people under 18 don't need a WWCC. When under-18s complete Volunteer/Leader training, they're only asked for WWCC details if their state requires it, based on their date of birth.