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Industrial Relations

Great Ocean Road Co-operative charged with alleged child employment breaches

Wage Inspectorate Victoria

A fishing co-operative on the Great Ocean Road has been accused of multiple child employment breaches.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) has filed charges in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria against Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-Operative alleging the business contravened the Child Employment Act 2003.

The co-operative allegedly employed multiple children under the age of 15 without a licence, failed to ensure the children were supervised by an adult with a current Working with Children Clearance, breached various conditions attached to their employment, including performing work beyond the maximum hours permitted during and outside the school term, and failed to keep records of each child employed under a licence.

The maximum penalties for these offences are in excess of:

  • $230,000 for employing a child without a valid licence and failing to ensure a child is supervised by an adult with a current Working with Children Clearance.
  • $47,000 for breaching the general conditions of employment including the hours worked.
  • Just under $10,000 for keeping records.

The matter has been listed for mention at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 12 November 2025.

WIV will make no further comment while the matter is before the court.

Background

Victoria’s child employment laws require employers of children under 15 to have a child employment licence before any work takes place, and to comply with Child Safe Standards.

Workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance (unless exempt).

Child employment laws restrict when businesses can employ children and how long they can work:

  • during a school term, children can be employed for a maximum of 3 hours a day and 12 hours per week and cannot work during school hours
  • during school holidays, children can be employed up to 6 hours a day and 30 hours a week
  • children can only work between 6am and 9pm.

Children must also receive a 30-minute rest break after every 3 hours work and have at least 12 hours break between shifts.

For more information Victoria’s child employment laws visit WIV’s website at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au or call 1800 287 287.