Starting from July 1, new child employment laws in Victoria require employers to demonstrate compliance with workplace safety laws and other regulations in order to hire children under 15 years old.
Instead of obtaining separate permits for each child, businesses can now employ multiple children under a single license. To obtain a license, employers must undergo a ‘fit and proper person’ test, disclosing any previous failures to comply with relevant laws, including our OHS Act.
The new system will make it easier for businesses to understand their employment-related duties to children, while better ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young workers, Pallas said.
In Victoria, children are permitted to perform delivery work from the age of 11, and certain other roles, such as in the retail and hospitality sectors, from the age of 13.