Hi, my name's Adam Chapman. I'm a Wakka Wakka man
from Eidsvold born and bred and my family comes from the Cherbourg-Wondai, Eidsvold region.
Hi, I'm John, a proud Torres Strait Islander man.
Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm a proud Bidjara woman.
Hi, I'm Ruth, I'm from Blue Card Services.
This video is about how to apply for a blue card.
Hi Ruth, I've heard there have been lots of changes to blue cards
and you can apply for a blue card before you get a job.
I'm often helping people in my community to get work. Can you tell Jess and I about these changes?
That's right.
All blue cards have photographs on them and you are able to apply for a blue card before you have a job.
This means you can be job ready.
You can also apply using our online applicant portal so you don't need to fill out paperwork if you don't want to.
Like on my phone or the internet?
That's right.
But there's a few things you need to know about first.
Before you can apply for a blue card, you need a Customer Reference Number,
also known as a CRN, from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
We call this TMR.
It's the same number as the one on the front of your driver's licence, marine licence or a photo identification card.
I don't have a driver's licence, and I've never had a marine license before,
so I don't think I've got one of these CRN things. How do I get one of them?
Well Jess, in the remote communities we know that you can't just go down to a TMR
and we also know that the licensing mob only come to a community a couple of times a year.
If the licensing mob are coming soon, we recommend you go down and see them because they can sort you out.
But if you've missed them, or they're not coming back for some time, you can go down to the police station
and they will give you a CRN and take your photo.
You're going to need some identification documents to take down with you to prove who you are.
What sort of ID will they want?
There is a list of the types of ID on the TMR website, or you can give them a call and they will help you.
Are these photos and CRN's free that we get with our blue cards now?
It's free to apply for your CRN and get your photo taken,
but you may need to pay for your blue card application
if you're a paid employee, business operator or a job seeker getting a blue card for future work.
Hang on, I've got my licence here. Is this number at the top right of the card my CRN?
Yes, that's the CRN, but I can see your licence is expiring soon. If you have an old photo on your licence
you might need to get another photo taken.
If you have less than three years and three months left with your photo,
you need to visit the police station and get a new photo done.
So when I've applied online, how long does it take to get my card?
If there's no police information sent back to us,
your application should be processed in five business days.
And if there is police information?
If there is police information, it will take longer
and we will get in touch with you to let you know what else we need.