Keeping young workers safe during school holidays
Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) will be conducting inspections of businesses these school holidays to ensure young workers are being employed safely and to help employers comply with the law.
WIV will conduct inspections in the retail and hospitality sectors, where children under 15 are most likely to be employed during the holidays.
Common risks associated with child employment in these industries include; burns from cooking equipment, cuts from knives, manual handling injuries and insufficient supervision.
Businesses hiring children under 15 must hold a child employment licence and follow strict conditions covering:
- The type of work children can perform
- Supervision requirements
- Maximum working hours
- Rest breaks
The rules around when children can work and for how long, are different during school holidays compared to the school term.
During school holidays, children can work up to 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week.
WIV’s last school holiday inspections identified 574 potential breaches of Victoria’s Child Employment laws and lead to one prosecution.
Quotes attributable to Lily Dekic, Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
“Ensuring children under 15 receive proper supervision and breaks will help them to enjoy their first experience in the workforce.”
“By applying for a free licence businesses can access a younger workforce – all we ask is for businesses to then comply with the terms of the licence.”
“We support businesses through the licence process, educate them on their obligations – we prefer to help than prosecute.”
Additional Information
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.
Licences are free, last for up to 2 years and multiple children can be employed under one licence.
Workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance (unless exempt).
For more information Victoria’s child employment laws visit the Workforce Inspectorate’s website at wiv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 287 287.
Contact details:
email - [email protected]
or - 0486 163 446