Wage Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) is calling on employers to check their workplaces and work to make them safer for young employees and warns that employers who fail to comply with their safety duties to child workers are likely to be targeted in their new regulatory campaign.
The WIV campaign, launched this National Child Protection Week (7-13 September) focuses on the unique risks that young workers face, and encourages the public to report unsafe workplace practices involving children. The inspectorate follows up on reports of unsafe child employment conditions - it has detected and intervened in numerous cases to prevent young workers under 15 years of age from carrying out tasks such as using dangerous machinery like welders and grinders, operating heavy machinery such as forklifts, handling hazardous chemicals, and working with dangerous animals.
WIV says it is crucial for employers to know their obligations — from complying with child employment laws and the Child Safe Standards, and securing the appropriate licences, to ensuring every workplace is safe, and duties are appropriate for young workers. WIV provide information and guidance to employers, children, and their families on the legislative requirements for child employment, including the requirements of Victoria’s Child Safe Standards.
Victoria requires any business employing people under 15 to hold a child employment licence before any work takes place, and to comply with child safe standards.
Under Victoria's child employment laws, workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Check (unless exempt).
The legislation also restricts when businesses can employ children and how long they can work:
- During a school term, children can be employed for a maximum of three hours a day and 12 hours per week and cannot work during school hours.
- During school holidays, a child can be employed up to six hours a day and 30 hours a week.
- Children can only work between 6am and 9pm.
- Children must receive a 30-minute rest break after every three hours of work and have a break of at least 12 hours between shifts.
For more information Victoria’s child employment laws visit the Wage Inspectorate Victoria website or call 1800 287 287.
Read more: Employing children under 15 years old | vic.gov.au