Almost 1 in 3 businesses breached child employment limits

Almost 1 in 3 Victorian businesses employing children under 15 breached work hour rules attached to their child employment licence, recent Workforce Inspectorate Victoria investigations found.

During the school holidays, Workforce Inspectorate Victoria is reminding employers to follow legal limits for workers under 15. Authorised officers will check licence holders over the coming weeks.

Under Victorian law, children under 15 can work up to 6 hours a day and 30 hours a week during school holidays. They can only work between 6am and 9pm.

During a school term, children under 15 can work no more than 3 hours a day and 12 hours a week. They also cannot work during school hours.

Workforce Inspectorate Victoria checks

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

Deputy Commissioner Lily Dekic said employers need to remember that children are still developing and need proper supervision, rest breaks and limits on late or long shifts.

“Businesses that employ kids under the age 15 are providing a great opportunity for them to get work experience and earn some money. We want to help these businesses employ kids safely and legally,” Dekic said.

Victoria requires employers to hold a child employment licence before any work by a child under 15 starts. Employers also must comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Those licences are free, last for up to 2 years and can cover multiple children under one approval.

Every worker under 15 must be supervised by someone with a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance, unless that supervisor is exempt.

Dekic said employers must keep records of the dates, times, hours and locations worked by each child. Those records help inspectors check whether children worked appropriate hours and received required breaks.