Victoria’s child employment regulator is on standby to support businesses and says there is no need for bosses to take shortcuts when employing children under the age of 15 this Christmas school holidays.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria believes the upcoming school holidays could lead some short-staffed businesses to overlook child employment laws in a rush to fill vacant positions – potentially placing young, inexperienced workers in harm’s way.
The Wage Inspectorate is on-hand to provide free advice, support and resources to businesses wanting to employ children under 15.
In Victoria, employers need a permit before a child under 15 years of age can be employed, although there are some exemptions, such as for children employed in family businesses. Permits are free, and the online application process to receive one is fast and straightforward.
The permit system protects children from work that could harm their health, safety or wellbeing. It enables the Wage Inspectorate to ensure matters like hours of work, rest breaks, supervision and safety are properly considered before employment starts, and to check compliance with any permit conditions that are imposed to keep a child safe.
Permits are particularly important in times of high seasonal demand around school holidays and Christmas.
If an employer fails to apply for a child employment permit, the Wage Inspectorate can’t assess whether the proposed employment could put the child at risk.
Businesses found to be breaching child employment laws can face consequences ranging from formal warnings to prosecution, where fines of up to $18,174 per breach for companies, and $10,904 for individuals, can be imposed.
A travelling circus and a fashion company were recently fined and ordered to pay costs after pleading guilty to breaking child employment laws.
The Wage Inspectorate is also urging employers to pay their young workers correctly and seek information from the Fair Work Ombudsman if they are unsure of the correct pay rates for children.
