Employers urged to follow child employment laws this summer

VICTORIA’S child employment watchdog is urging local businesses intending to hire young people under the age of 15 over the summer holidays to ensure they apply for a child employment licence now.

To help with seasonal demand and extended operating hours, businesses across the region commonly hire young people, however, children under the age of 15 cannot start work until a child employment licence has been issued.

With a licence, Victorian businesses can hire children as young as 13 in industries such as retail and hospitality.

These licences are free, and a business can employ multiple young people under one licence, but they can take up to 10 business days to be processed.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria Commissioner Robert Hortle said the weeks ahead of summer trading could be busy, so it is important for employers to be organised.

“If you don’t apply for a licence in time, you risk having to delay the child’s start date and being short-staffed.

“The lead up to the festive season can be a busy time, so it’s important for employers to plan ahead and leave enough time to apply for a licence and familiarise themselves with the law.”

“The laws are easy to understand and the Wage Inspectorate is here to help, so there’s really no excuse for noncompliance.”

He said parents also have a role to play.

“If your child is under 15 and starting their first job over summer, make sure the employer has a child employment licence.

“It’s a simple step you can take to ensure they have considered your child’s wellbeing.”

The child employment licensing system aims to protect young people by ensuring employers understand workplace risks and have measures in place to keep young workers safe.

Wage Inspectorate officers will again inspect businesses throughout summer to ensure those employing children are abiding by the state’s child employment laws and following rules relating to supervision, rest breaks and working hours.

Last summer, officers visited several holiday hot spots along the Surf Coast and found that almost 90 per cent of businesses employing a child under the age of 15 were breaching at least one aspect of the law.

While employing children over the school holidays can be positive for both youngsters and businesses, the Wage Inspectorate is warning businesses this needs to be done safely and legally.

Businesses caught breaching child employment laws may be subject to fines of more than $200,000. For more information, head to wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au