Wage Inspectorate Victoria officers monitoring Surf Coast businesses for child employment law adherence
Cafes and takeaway businesses across the Surf Coast will be monitored this week, as the employment watchdog checks compliance with child employment laws.
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There are concerns summer demand on cafes and takeaway businesses may have led some Surf Coast employers to overlook child employment laws.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria officers are descending on businesses from Lorne to Torquay this week to monitor compliance with the state’s child employment laws.
With summer holidays in full swing, there are concerns from the watchdog that some in the holiday hotspot may mean some have overlooked the laws in a rush to fill position.
Officers will be performing checks and educating employers about Victoria’s laws around child employment.
Child employment compliance and enforcement director Jessica Downey said there had been eight regional businesses prosecuted over child employment laws over the last 12 months.
“We’d much rather help businesses employ kids safely and legally than take more matters to court, so reach out to get the advice you need,” she said.
“Many kids get their first job over the school summer holidays, so it’s important that their first experience in the workplace is a positive one and that their employer has taken the time to make their workplace safe.
“Kids on school holidays can be a great help to businesses and the experience can be invaluable for the kids.
“It’s win-win, as long as it is done safely.”
Businesses breaking child employment laws face consequences ranging from warnings to fines of more than $200,000.
In Victoria, children can work in retail and hospitality from the age of 13, but most businesses need a licence before employing anyone under 15.
A business can employ multiple children under one licence, and must follow rules around supervision, work hours, and rest breaks.
Research shows children in regional areas are more likely than their metropolitan counterparts to work (eight per cent regional, compared to five per cent metropolitan).
Research also shows that one in three Victorians mistakenly believe 14 and 9 months is the age children can start working without restriction in Victoria.
The misconception is more common in regional areas, with 40 per cent of people believing it to be true.
Ms Downey said parents had a role to play in making sure workplaces were safe for their child.
She said if they had a child under 15 who’d started working their first job this summer, to make sure the employer had a child employment licence
“It’s a simple step you can take to ensure the employer has considered your child’s health and wellbeing,” she said.
“The biggest risk with breaking child employment laws is that a child gets seriously hurt in the workplace.”
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